_Lives of the Saints, by Alban Butler, Benziger Bros. ed. 1894
_ February 3.—ST. BLASE, Bishop and Martyr.
ST. BLASE devoted the earlier years of his life to the study of
philosophy, and afterwards became a physician. In the practice of his
profession he saw so much of the miseries of life and the hollowness of
worldly pleasures, that he resolved to spend the rest of his days in the
service of God, and from being a healer of bodily ailments to be- come a
physician of souls. The Bishop of Sebaste, in Armenia, having died, our
Saint, much to the gratification of the inhabitants of that city, was
appointed to succeed him. St. Blase at once began to instruct his people
as much by his example as by his words, and the great virtues and
sanctity of this servant of God were attested by many miracles. From all
parts the people came flocking to him for the cure of bodily and
spiritual ills. Agricolaus, Governor of Cappadocia and the Lesser
Armenia, having begun a persecution by order of the Emperor Licinius,
our Saint was seized and hurried off to prison. While on his way there, a
distracted mother, whose only child was dying of a throat disease,
threw herself at the feet of St. Blase and implored his intercession.
Touched at her grief, the Saint offered up his prayers, and the child
was cured; and since that time his aid has often been effectually
solicited in cases of a similar disease. Refusing to worship the false
gods of the heathens, St. Blase was first scourged; his body was then
torn with hooks, and finally he was beheaded in the year 316.
Reflection.—There is no sacrifice which, by the aid of grace,
human nature is not capable of accomplishing. When St. Paul complained
to God of the violence of the temptation, God answered, "My grace is
sufficient for thee, for power is made perfect in infirmity."
