After the celebrant has greeted the people, he may introduce the celebration in these or similar words.
Today we celebrate the feast of Saint Blaise, who was bishop of Sebaste in Armenia in the fourth century. Before being martyred, he is said to have healed a boy who was choking. Since the eighth century, Saint Blaise has been venerated as the patron of those who suffer from diseases of the throat. We pray in a special way today for protection from afflictions of the throat and from other illnesses. The blessing of Saint Blaise is a sign of our faith in God's protection and love for us and for the sick.
After the gospel reading, the celebrant in the homily, based on the sacred text and pertinent to the particular place and the people involved, explains the meaning of the celebration.
GENERAL INTERCESSIONS
The general intercessions follow, either in the form usual at Mass or in the form provided here. The celebrant concludes the intercessions with the prayer of blessing. From the following intentions those best for the occasion may be used or adapted, or other intentions that apply to the particular circumstances may be composed.
The celebrant says:
Let us now pray for those who are sick and suffering, for those who care for the sick, and for all who seek the blessings of good health.
R. Lord, hear our prayer.
Or:
R. Lord, have mercy.
Assisting minister:
For those who suffer from sickness and disease, that they may receive healing, we pray to the Lord. R.
Assisting minister:
For the mentally ill and for their families, that they may receive comfort, we pray to the Lord. R.
Assisting minister:
For those with physical disabilities, that the strength of Christ may invigorate them, we pray to the Lord. R.
Assisting minister:
For doctors and nurses, and for all who care for the sick, we pray to the Lord. R.
Assisting minister:
For those who seek the prayers of Saint Blaise today, that they may be protected from afflictions of the throat and other forms of illness, we pray to the Lord. R.
PRAYER OF BLESSING
With the crossed candles touched to the throat of each person, the celebrant says immediately:
Through the intercession of Saint Blaise, bishop and martyr, may God deliver you from every disease of the throat and from every other illness:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, + and of the Holy Spirit.
Each person responds:
Amen.
During the blessing suitable psalms or other suitable songs may be sung.
A lay minister touches the throat of each person with the crossed candles and, without making the sign of the cross, says the prayer of blessing.
Through the intercession of Saint Blaise, bishop and martyr, may God deliver you from every disease of the throat and from every other illness:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Each person responds:
Amen.
If all cannot be blessed individually, the celebrant, without candles, extends his hands over the assembly and says the prayer of blessing.
The present order may be used by a priest or a deacon, and also by a lay person, who follows the rites and prayers designated for a lay minister.
INTRODUCTORY RITES
When the community has gathered, a suitable song may be sung. After the singing, the minister says:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
All make the sign of the cross and reply:
Amen.
A minister who is a priest or deacon greets those present in the following or other suitable words, taken mainly from sacred Scripture.
The grace and peace of God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
And all reply:
And also with you.
A lay minister greets those present in the following words:
Let us praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
R. Blessed be God for ever.
In the following or similar words, the minister prepares those present for the blessing.
Today we celebrate the feast of Saint Blaise, who was bishop of Sebaste in Armenia in the fourth century. Before being martyred, he is said to have healed a boy who was choking. Since the eighth century, Saint Blaise has been venerated as the patron of those who suffer from diseases of the throat. We pray in a special way today for protection from afflictions of the throat and from other illnesses. The blessing of Saint Blaise is a sign of our faith in God's protection and- love for us and for the sick.
READING OF THE WORD OF GOD
A reader, another person present, or the minister reads a text of sacred Scripture.
Brothers and sisters, listen to the words of the holy gospel according to [Mark or Matthew]:
Mark 16:15-20 They will place their hands on the sick and they will recover.
Jesus said to the eleven, "Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned. These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons, they will speak new languages. They will pick up serpents with their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them. They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."
Or:
Matthew 8:14-17 Peter's mother-in-law is healed.
When Jesus entered Peter’s house, he saw his mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever; he touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she got up and began to serve him. That evening they brought to him many who were possessed by demons; and he cast out the spirits with a word, and cured all who were sick. This was to fulfil what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah, ‘He took our infirmities and bore our diseases.’
As circumstances suggest, one of the following responsorial psalms may be sung, or some other suitable song.
Psalm 34
R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Let my soul glory in the LORD;
the lowly will hear me and be glad. R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
Glorify the LORD with me,
let us together extol his name.
I sought the LORD, and he answered me
and delivered me from all my fears. R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
Look to him that you may be radiant with joy,
and your faces may not blush with shame.
When the afflicted man called out, the LORD heard,
and from all his distress he saved him. R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
The angel of the LORD encamps
around those who fear him, and delivers them.
Taste and see how good the LORD is;
happy the man who takes refuge in him. R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
Fear the LORD, you his holy ones,
for nought is lacking to those who fear him.
The great grow poor and hungry;
but those who seek the LORD want for no good thing. R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
Come, children, hear me;
I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
Which of you desires life,
and takes delight in prosperous days? R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
Keep your tongue from evil
and your lips from speaking guile;
Turn from evil and do good;
seek peace, and follow after it. R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
Or:
Psalm 27
R. (v. 14) Put your hope in the Lord; take courage and be strong.
As circumstances suggest, the minister may give those present a brief explanation of the biblical text, so that they may understand through faith the meaning of the celebration.
INTERCESSIONS
The intercessions are then said. The minister introduces them and an assisting minister or one of those present announces the intentions. From the following those best suited to the occasion may be used or adapted, or other intentions that apply to the particular circumstances may be composed.
The minister says:
Let us now pray for those who are sick and suffering, for those who care for the sick, and for all who seek the blessings of good health.
R. Lord, hear our prayer.
Or:
R. Lord, have mercy.
Assisting minister:
For those who suffer from sickness and disease, that they may receive healing, we pray to the Lord. R.
Assisting minister:
For the mentally ill and for their families, that they may receive comfort, we pray to the Lord. R.
Assisting minister:
For those with physical disabilities, that the strength of Christ may invigorate them, we pray to the Lord. R.
Assisting minister:
For doctors and nurses, and for all who care for the sick, we pray to the Lord. R.
Assisting minister:
For those who seek the prayers of Saint Blaise today, that they may be protected from afflictions of the throat and other forms of illness, we pray to the Lord. R.
After the intercessions the minister, in the following or similar words, invites all present to sing or say the Lord's Prayer.
With confidence we call upon the Lord, saying:
All:
Our Father . . .
PRAYER OF BLESSING
A minister who is a priest or deacon touches the throat of each person with the crossed candles and says the prayer of blessing.
Through the intercession of Saint Blaise, bishop and martyr, may God deliver you from every disease of the throat and from every other illness:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, + and of the Holy Spirit.
Each person responds:
Amen.
During the blessing suitable psalms or other suitable songs may be sung.
A lay minister touches the throat of each person with the crossed candles and, without making the sign of the cross, says the prayer of blessing.
Through the intercession of Saint Blaise, bishop and martyr, may God deliver you from every disease of the throat and from every other illness:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Each person responds:
Amen.
After receiving the blessing each person may depart.
If all cannot be blessed individually, a minister who is a priest or deacon, without candles, may extend his hands over the assembly and say the prayer of blessing. A lay minister says the prayer proper to lay ministers without making the sign of the cross.
All make the sign of the cross as the minister says:
Our help is in the name of the Lord.
All reply:
Who made heaven and earth.
One of those present or the minister reads a text of sacred Scripture, for example:
Brothers and sisters, listen to the words of the holy gospel according to [Mark or Matthew]:
Mark 16:15-20 They will place their hands on the sick and they will recover.
Jesus said to the eleven, "Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned. These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons, they will speak new languages. They will pick up serpents with their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them. They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."
Or:
Matthew 8:14-17 Peter's mother-in-law is healed.
When Jesus entered Peter's house, he saw his mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever; he touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she got up and began to serve him. That evening they brought to him many who were possessed by demons; and he cast out the spirits with a word, and cured all who were sick. This was to fulfil what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah, 'He took our infirmities and bore our diseases.'
A minister who is a priest or deacon touches the throat of each person with the crossed candles and says the prayer of blessing.
Through the intercession of Saint Blaise, bishop and martyr, may God deliver you from every disease of the throat and from every other illness:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, + and of the Holy Spirit.
Each person responds:
Amen.
A lay minister touches the throat of each person with the crossed candles and, without making the sign of the cross, says the prayer of blessing.
Through the intercession of Saint Blaise, bishop and martyr, may God deliver you from every disease of the throat and from every other illness:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.