St. Blase

Bishop and Martyr

Simple

Common

Matins

Lauds

COLLECT OF THE DAY

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH
 

Matins

The first part of Matins is in the Ordinary

Invitatory and Hymn

The Nocturn
 

The Nocturn

The first two Lessons are taken from the occurrent Scripture.  Lesson iii is proper as given below.

Scripture Lessons
 

Blásius, Sebáste in Arménia cum virtútum laude floréret, ejúsdem civitátis epíscopus elígitur.  Qui, quo témpore Diocletiánus insatiábilem crudelitátem in Christiános exercébat, se in spelúncam ábdidit montis Argæi ; ubi támdiu látuit, dum ab Agricolái præsidis milítibus venántibus deprehénsus et ad præsidem ductus, ejus jussu conjéctus est in víncula.  Quo in loco multos ægrótos sanávit, qui ad Blásium, ejus fama sanctitátis addúcti, deferebántur.  In illis puer fuit, qui, desperáta a médicis salúte, transvérsa spina fáucibus inhærénte, ánimam agébat.  Prodúctus autem ad præsidem Blásius semel et íterum, cum nec blandítiis nec minis addúci posset, ut diis sacrificáret, primum virgis cæsus, deínde in equúleo férreis pectínibus dilaniátus est ; postrémo, dempto cápite, illústre fídei testimónium Christo Dómino dedit, tértio Nonas Februárii.

This Blase was chosen Bishop of the city of Sebaste in Armenia, in which place he enjoyed a great reputation for virtue.  When Diocletian began to make the Christians the objects of his insatiable cruelty, the Saint hid himself in a cave on Mount Argaeus, where he lay till he was found by some of the soldiers of Agricolaus the Governor, who were out hunting.  He was brought before the Governor, who commanded him to be thrown into irons.  While he was in prison, Blase healed many of the sick, who were brought to him on account of his reputation of saintliness, and among others a boy who had been despaired of by the physicians, and who at the point of death, from a thorn which had become fixed in his throat.  Blase appeared twice before the Governor, but neither cajolements nor threats could induce him to sacrifice to the gods.  He was first beaten with rods, and afterwards put on the rack, where his flesh was mangled with iron combs.  At last his head was cut off, whereby he finished a noble testimony to the faith which is in Christ our Lord.  He bore witness on the 3rd day of February.

V.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.
R.  Deo grátias.

V.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
R.  Thanks be to God.

Lauds

V.  The righteous shall flourish like a palm-tree.
R.  And shall spread abroad like a cedar in Libanus.

Ad Bened. Ant:  Qui odit * ánimam suam in hoc mundo, in vitam ætérnam custódit eam.

Ant. on Bened:  He that hateth his life * in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.

BENEDICTUS

Oremus.
Deus, qui nos beáti Blásii Mártyris tui atque Pontíficis ánnua solemnitáte lætíficas : concéde propítius ; ut, cujus natalítia cólimus, de ejúsdem étiam protectióne gaudeámus.  Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.
O God, who makest us glad with the yearly festival of blessed Blase thy Martyr and Bishop : mercifully grant that, as we now observe his heavenly birthday ; so we may likewise rejoice in his protection.  Through.

COMMEMORATIONS, if there be any

SUFFRAGE OF ALL SAINTS

CLOSING VERSICLES AND THAT WHICH FOLLOWETH

The traditional blessing of throats on the Feast of St. Blase