At the Carmelite Church in Whitefriar Street Dublin throats are blessed on the feast of St Blaise.
The feast day of St Blaise, an Armenian bishop martyred in 316 AD, is held on 3 February. During his lifetime St Blaise performed many cures, however, his most memorable act was healing a young boy who choked on a fishbone.
St Blaise is recognised for the healing abilities of throat maladies. On his feast day, devotees have their throats blessed. Two candles are touched on the throat while a blessing is given. Then the priest makes the sign of the cross.
As thousands of people turn up at the Carmelite Church in Whitefriar Street, Dublin for the Blessing of Throats, a temporary altar rail spanning the church is erected. Eight priests work non-stop to cope with the influx of the faithful.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 3 February 1969. The footage shown here is mute.
