‘Through the intercession of Saint Blaise, bishop and martyr, may God deliver you from all diseases of the throat and from all other harm besides.’
At the end of Mass people come up the aisle
Two candles crossed and tied with ribbon red
Laid across their shoulder blades
Touching to the throat
The blessing said and so received
The ritual is sought
Passed down from immemorial
Enfolding in its power
The blessing of a holy man
In his final hour
A fishbone in a young child’s throat
His prayer a healing brought
We seek his help this holy day
The things that prayer has wrought
Brian Fahy
3 February 2023
Erris Poetry 