Feast of Saint Blaise – Blessing of the Throat

The liturgical feast of the patron saint of Comiso

On February 3rd, the town of Comiso, in the province of Ragusa, Sicily, celebrates the liturgical solemnity of Saint Blaise, its patron saint. This is the day the Universal Church dedicates to the bishop and martyr of Sebaste, a figure particularly cherished here as the protector of the throat. This day of faith is distinct from the large summer festival, which takes place on the second Sunday of July: February 3rd represents the liturgical and devotional heart of the Comiso cult, marked by Eucharistic celebrations at the Rectory Church of Saint Blaise.

The blessing of the throat

The most characteristic ritual of the day is the blessing of the throat, imparted at the end of every Holy Mass. The priest places two crossed, lit candles against the faithful's neck, symbolically recalling the oral cavity, while reciting the ancient formula of protection: "May the Lord Jesus Christ, through the intercession of Saint Blaise...", invoking healing and protection from throat ailments. Tradition links this gesture to a miracle attributed to the saint, who is said to have saved a child choking on a fish bone.

A day of continuous masses

The program for February 3rd features a long series of Holy Masses held continuously from morning until evening, each led by a different celebrant and concluded with the blessing of the throat. The most solemn moment is the midday concelebration, presided over by the Vicar General of the Diocese of Ragusa alongside all the priests serving in Comiso, while the final evening service is led by the church rector. The services are preceded by a three-day preparation period (triduum) that spiritually introduces the community to the patron saint's feast.

History and devotion

Saint Blaise, Bishop of Sebaste in Armenia and martyr, has been revered as the patron saint of Comiso since ancient times. The Rectory Church of Saint Blaise, rebuilt after the 1693 earthquake that devastated the Val di Noto, houses a 17th-century statue of the saint and frescoes by Gaetano Di Stefano, testifying to the depth of a cult that has spanned centuries of the city's history. The Comiso community also attributes protection from calamities and epidemics to their devotion to the patron saint.

An identity-defining event

For Comiso, the liturgical feast of Saint Blaise is an identity-defining event of great participation, with the faithful crowding the rectory church throughout the day. For visitors, it is an opportunity to discover authentic local spirituality and immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the Baroque historic center of Comiso, one of the gems of South-Eastern Sicily.