St. Blaise was a well educated physician who became Bishop of Sebastein in Armenia. He was persecuted by the famous Roman general, Agricola, who ordered Blaise to renounce his faith. When Blaise refused, he was thrown into prison where he helped sick prisoners and famously saved a child who was choking on a fish bone. Blaise refused to renounce his faith and was tortured and finally, in the year 316, was beheaded on the orders of Agricola.
Saint Blaise is the patron saint of throats because he saved a child from choking and, also, of wild animals as they came for him to cure them when ill.
A special sacramental (the blessing of throats) takes place on this day, and the aid of St. Blaise is asked in delivering the faithful from ailments of the throat and from every other ailment.
This year it will not be possible to have the annual Blessing of Throats. Instead, a virtual blessing will take place during the 10 am Mass on Wednesday, February 3rd.