The feast of St Blaise was celebrated this morning at San Blas Nadur.
Mgr Mario Grech, Bishop of Gozo accompanied by Rev. Jimmy Xerri and other priests concelebrated Mass at 10.30am.
The mass was followed by the blessing of the throat for which St Blas is the patron saint, for all those who were present for the occasion. Agricultural produce from the local farmers was also blessed as well as the animals.
St Blaise was a 3rd century physician who became the Bishop of Sebastea in Armenia. He was beheaded in A.D. 316 for refusing to renounce his faith.
Blaise is the patron saint of wild animals because of his care for them and of those with throat maladies.