Italian-Polish Baptism

Congratulations to Massimo and Justyna on the Baptism yesterday of their son Oscar Oliver. My pre-baptism research informed me that the name Oscar means 'Spear of God' and Oliver relates to the olive tree. So reference to the Word of God being as sharp as a spear and praying that Oscar would know the truth that conquers the dictatorship of relativism was not difficult to make. And the fact that the oils of the Church's sacraments are made from olive oil was very appropriate too as we prayed for strength and healing. There is a wonderful Saint of course, St Oliver Plunkett, about whom more here. Oscar was also born on 22nd February, feast of the Chair of St Peter.

Pictured above are Oscar's godmother Dorotha (baby in arms) and godfather Mario (with candle), Massimo and Justyna and Massimo's mother and father.

Afterwards, a reception at Massimo's new coffee shop on North Street in Ashford and the opportunity was taken to bless the new business.

St Blaise

My homily had several themes today: St Blaise and the blessing of throats, the indulgences available on the occasion of the Lourdes Jubilee, and the forthcoming Lenten Liturgy.

St Blaise was an Armenian bishop and martyr who died around 316. Not much is known about his life the story of which, inevitably, has been embelished by legends. But who's to say they're not true!

When he was imprisoned, it is said that wild animals came to him to be cured. So there arose the tradition of bringing holy water to and invoking the blessing of St Blaise upon sick cattle.

Also, a mother brought her son who was choking from a fish bone stuck in his throat. Blaise cured the choking lad and restored him to his mother, who came back to the cell with food and candles for Blaise. And so St Blaise's intercession is invoked for relief from afflictions of the throat.

Before being beheaded, Blaise's skin was stetched using a wool-comb, which wasn't very civilised! So he is also the patron of wool-combers.

The tradition is to receive a blessing with candles blessed on Candlemas the previous day. So after Mass today, all who wished came forward to receive a blessing.

The priest (or other minister) holds the candles under the chin of the person being blessed and recites the following formula:

Through the intercession of St 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.

A priest or deacon makes the sign of the Cross over the person as he invokes the Name of the Trinity.

Given the large numbers, I enlisted the assitance of parish MC Guy Beresford and Reader/Extraodinary Minister of Communion John Barton, and made sure to get a blessing myself.

Some pics:

The Blessing of Apollo

Today I blessed Apollo, Suzy Gray's horse, prior to her pilgrimage with Apollo to Ireland. For more information visit The Blessing of Apollo.