Today is the feast of St. Blaise. Many will find themselves driving to church to seek the traditional blessing of the throats. Two candles tied together with a ribbon somehow give us comfort that we will be protected from infirmity. 

Perhaps we need this blessing this year more than ever, both physically and emotionally. We need that tangible reminder that God is with us, that he longs to heal us, and that his saints are interceding for us in heaven.

Around Christmastime, my husband and I found out that we were expecting our fifth child. And while we are overjoyed at the thought of another little one entering our family, we are also a little concerned. We are both in our early forties and we ask ourselves, will I have the stamina to keep up with them all? How will we homeschool with a baby? Oh my goodness, I will be 60 before the baby is even 20! How will I get through this pregnancy if I’m not even in my second trimester yet and I’m already exhausted?

So many thoughts and so many questions running through our heads. Yet, somehow, the joy of a new life overshadows it all. Many mornings my husband will draw near and give my tummy gentle massages and tell me how excited he is. Every day my four year old rubs my belly and says “hello little baby”, and often insists that it should come out now. And whether it be another boy to add to our little soccer team, our our first little princess, we are joined together in love for this new creation. 

It’s amazing how much the tangible symbols of our Catholic faith touch us. Just as we find comfort in the two candles touching our necks today, we also find joy and peace in the other sacraments. Whether it be something as palpable as a new life as a fruit of the sacrament of marriage, or something as hidden as Christ in the Eucharist, the physical elements that surround us enrich us greatly. 

On this feast of St. Blaise, I pray that God free you of all ailments and that you also find comfort in all the life-changing sacraments our Church has to offer. 

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