RP's wide cult of protector vs. throat diseases

During the Spanish period, there was a popular saying, Candelaria a dos, San Blas a tres, a divina que mes es?Candelaria on the second, San Blas on the third, what month is it? The answer, of course, was February.

Candelaria, of course, was Candlemas, the day in which all the candles that will be used in church for the coming year are consecrated. In Christian worship, the use of fire is confined to two rituals – the burning of candles, particularly at the celebration of Mass, and the blessing of fire on Holy Saturday. In the former, the candles symbolize Christ as "the light of the world" and "a light to lighten the Gentiles"; in the latter, they represent the Resurrection. Both have pagan origins. The lighting of candles originated in the Roman Empire, where protocol decreed that certain civil magistrates should be proceeded by lighted torches. The church adopted the practice and Pope and bishops were always ushered by seven acolytes carrying candles. Eventually, the candles were placed in the altar and symmetrized to six in the 15th century. But to this day, seven candles are placed when a bishop pontificates. The blessing of New Fire on Easter eve is a syncretization of the fire cult of Brigit.

Following the Feast of the Blessing of Candles is the Feast of the Blessing with Candles, that of St. Blaise. Though not the titulary of any church, or the patron of any town, St. Blaise, as protector against diseases of the throat, has a wide cult in the Philippines. During his feast, throat sufferers flock to church to get his benison, which a priest bestows by placing two crossed candles under the patient’s chin, saying, "May the Lord deliver you from evil of the throat and from every other evil through the intercession of St. Blaise."

The blessing may actually be given at any time or place but it is in general demand on the feast of St. Blaise. The clerics were special devotees of St. Blaise; many of them suffered from chronic pharingal inflammation caused by overstraining the vocal chords; the condition itself was called clergyman’s throat. There is also an incantation for removing throat obstructions. Holding the neck of the patient, one says, "St. Blaise, the martyr and servant of Jesus Christ, commands thee to pass up and down." If the charm works, throat traffic resumes.