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 our fellow-men  know  that  we  are  true  Catholics, who adhere  to  our  Faith  from  conviction,  without regard to  what  others  say  of  us,  or  how  they judge us,  remembering  the  words  of  Our  Lord, "Every one,  therefore,  that  shall  confess  me  before men,  I  will  also  confess  him  before  my Father  who  is  in  heaven"  (Matt.  x.  32).

It was  remarked  above  that  St.  Blase  is  the patron invoked  in  throat  troubles. Therefore the Church, on  his  feast,  February  3,  gives  a  special blessing, at  which  she  prays  over  those  receiving it: "By  the  intercession  of  St.  Blase,  bishop  and martyr,  may  God  deliver  thee  from  all  ills  of  the throat  and  from  all  other  ills;  in  the  name  of  the Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost. Amen." Do not  neglect  to  receive  this  blessing, if you  have  the  opportunity. The blessings  of the  Church  are  powerful  and  effective,  for  she  is God's  representative  on  earth. Therefore her blessing is  God's  blessing,  and  is  always  effective, except we  ourselves  place  an  obstacle  in  its  way.

God, who  dost  rejoice  us  through  the  memory of Thy  blessed  bishop  and  martyr  Blase: graciously grant  us,  that  we,  who  honor  his  memory, may  experience  his  protection. Through Christ our  Lord. Amen.