Gospel Reflection for Thursday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time (Year C - 2/27/2025)

Sisters and brothers in Christ, as we prepare for the penitential season of #Lent, which starts on #AshWednesday (3/5), this verse from today's first reading (from Sirach 5:1-8) struck me:

"Of forgiveness be not overconfident,

adding sin upon sin.

Say not: "Great is his mercy;

my many sins he will forgive."

For mercy and anger alike are with him;

upon the wicked alights his wrath.

Delay not your conversion to the LORD,

put it not off from day to day.

For suddenly his wrath flames forth;

at the time of vengeance you will be destroyed."

God is merciful, but He is also just. Now is the time to turn to Him and pray for forgiveness, to beg for the grace and gifts of piety and fear of the Lord to overcome temptations and sins with fortitude, determination, and discipline.

Let us also ask God for the gifts of wisdom, knowledge, understanding, and counsel so that we do not lead others to sin. Jesus tells us this in today's Gospel:

"Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin,   

it would be better for him if a great millstone

were put around his neck

and he were thrown into the sea." (Mark 9:41-50)

. . .

Gospel of the Day (Mark 9:41-50)

Jesus said to his disciples:

"Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink

because you belong to Christ,

amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward.

"Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin,   

it would be better for him if a great millstone

were put around his neck

and he were thrown into the sea.

If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off.

It is better for you to enter into life maimed   

than with two hands to go into Gehenna,

into the unquenchable fire.

And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off.

It is better for you to enter into life crippled   

than with two feet to be thrown into Gehenna.

And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out.

Better for you to enter into the Kingdom of God with one eye

than with two eyes to be thrown into Gehenna,

where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched. 

"Everyone will be salted with fire.

Salt is good, but if salt becomes insipid,

with what will you restore its flavor?

Keep salt in yourselves and you will have peace with one another."

Knights of Columbus Austin Chapter - A Report of the Spiritual Director (2/24/2025)

Worthy Chapter President and Brother Knights,

I bring you greetings from our State Chaplain, Bishop Mulvey, and our Associate State Chaplain, Fr. Chen, whom I am in contact.

In this month's report, I want to reflect briefly on the virtue of Hope. In his Columbia (January / February 2025) article, titled "The Door of Hope", Supreme Chaplain Archbishop Lori has this to say about hope, in this Jubilee 2025 year of Pilgrims of Hope.

The virtue of hope fixes our gaze upon something that appears at the forefront of our minds and in the depths of our hearts: Jesus, the Son of God and the Son of Mary, the One “who loved us and handed himself over for us” (Eph. 5:2). If this is who God is, and if this God is on our side, who and what an be against us” (cf. Rom. 8:31).

Our Lord Jesus Christ is our reason to hope because, every time we gaze upon our Crucified Lord on the Cross, our hearts are filled with His love and mercy for us because He died on the Cross for us. Archbishop Lori continues:

The Holy Door that the Lord wants most open is the door of our hearts - hearts that are sometimes shut tight because of sin, anger, fear or discouragement. . . the Lord continues to knock at the door of our hearts (cf. Rev. 3:20). . . let us hasten to open our hearts.

And here is the hinge, something extremely important for us to understand about Hope in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Archbishop Lori writes:

He will not necessarily grant our wishes, but he will satisfy our yearning to see his face and to be loved infinitely, even amid our frailty. . .may we experience the “hope [that] does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts” (Rom. 5:5).

Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent is on March 5th. It is a penitential season that can help us grow in the virtue of hope. Prayer helps us grow in our relationship with God because we realize that Jesus is the reason for us to be hopeful. Fasting helps us discipline ourselves so that we can focus on things of God to overcome sins and temptations. Almsgiving is the key to hope. . . “it is when hope overtakes us that we begin opening the doors of hope for others. . . When we love, and when we experience love, our hearts are opened” (Archbishop Lor).

I hope to see many of you at this Saturday Diaconate Ordination at San Jose. Please know of my prayers for you and your families.

Vivat Jesus!

Here is a link to my previous report from the Chapter meeting in November:

Knights of Columbus Austin Chapter - A Report of the Spiritual Director (11/25/2024) https://dcnphuc2019.blogspot.com/2024/11/knights-of-columbus-austin-chapter.html

Deacon Phúc’s challenges for all Knights for the month of March

• PERSONAL & FAMILY: “10 Things for a Transformative Lent” (Updated: 2/20/2025) https://dcnphuc2019.blogspot.com/2023/02/10-things-for-transformative-lent.html or something similar for you and your family.

• COUNCIL: Stay prayed up in the midst of the busy-ness of Fish Fry, etc. Almsgiving is taken care of so focus on prayer and fasting.

Homily for Monday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time (Year C - 2/24/2025)

Good morning. In today’s Gospel, Jesus said something important that is meant to help us grow spiritually and strengthen our faith. His disciples asked him: “Why could we not drive the spirit out?” Our Lord said to them, “This kind can only come out through prayer.” Prayer is how we talk with God. Through prayer, we grow in our relationship with God who loves us, forgives us, and pours forth His mercy on us. Knowing that we are loved and forgiven by God frees us to become who God created us to be and  helps us to overcome temptations and sin, not by our own power but by the grace of God. Through prayer, God helps us focus on growing in holiness and striving for saintliness in our lives; therefore, the important lesson for us to learn here is to pray, pray, and pray.

Recall that Jesus “summoned the Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over unclean spirits” (Mark 6:7). And so, Jesus had given his disciples the authority to drive our demons. They “went off and preached repentance. They drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them” (6:12-13). And so they have done it before with success; however, they could not drive the spirit out this time. What changed? Jesus’ response to them, when they asked him why they could not drive the spirit out, seems to suggest that the disciples were relying on themselves, their own power and strength, rather than on the authority that comes from our Lord Jesus Christ through prayer.

What does this mean for us? We cannot overcome temptations and sins by ourselves because Satan is too strong for us. The Good News is, our Lord Jesus Christ went into the desert for 40 days to be tempted by the Devil and, not only did he overcome Satan, but he would later conquer death in his Resurrection. Therefore, we need to turn to our Lord in prayer and invoke his Most Holy Name if we want to break the chains of sin and temptations and the cycles of addiction that bind us in our lives. By ourselves, our minds tell us that we cannot; however, Jesus tells us that “everything is possible to one who has faith.” 

Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent is in one and a half weeks. Let us make a plan now for how we can grow in our faith through the Lenten observances of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. If we are struggling with our faith in God, then what the boy’s father in today’s Gospel said is a wonderful prayer: “Lord, I do believe, help my unbelief.”

Gospel of the Day (Mark 9:14-29)

As Jesus came down from the mountain with Peter, James, John

and approached the other disciples,

they saw a large crowd around them and scribes arguing with them.

Immediately on seeing him,

the whole crowd was utterly amazed.

They ran up to him and greeted him.

He asked them, “What are you arguing about with them?”

Someone from the crowd answered him,

“Teacher, I have brought to you my son possessed by a mute spirit.

Wherever it seizes him, it throws him down;

he foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth, and becomes rigid.

I asked your disciples to drive it out, but they were unable to do so.”

He said to them in reply,

“O faithless generation, how long will I be with you?

How long will I endure you? Bring him to me.”

They brought the boy to him.

And when he saw him,

the spirit immediately threw the boy into convulsions.

As he fell to the ground, he began to roll around   

and foam at the mouth.

Then he questioned his father,

“How long has this been happening to him?”

He replied, “Since childhood.

It has often thrown him into fire and into water to kill him.

But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”

Jesus said to him,

“‘If you can!’ Everything is possible to one who has faith.”

Then the boy’s father cried out, “I do believe, help my unbelief!”

Jesus, on seeing a crowd rapidly gathering,

rebuked the unclean spirit and said to it,

“Mute and deaf spirit, I command you:

come out of him and never enter him again!”

Shouting and throwing the boy into convulsions, it came out.

He became like a corpse, which caused many to say, “He is dead!”

But Jesus took him by the hand, raised him, and he stood up.

When he entered the house, his disciples asked him in private,

“Why could we not drive the spirit out?”

He said to them, “This kind can only come out through prayer.”

Homily for Monday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time (Year C - 2/17/2025)

Good morning. In today’s Gospel, the Pharisee can forward not only to argue with Jesus but they demanded a “sign from heaven to test him.” As we read this passage and reflect on it, we are thinking to ourselves: “What? Wait a minute here? Are the Pharisees really asking Jesus for a sign from heaven?” Did Jesus not just “drive the demon out of [the] daughter” of a Syrophoenician woman (Mark 7:24-30)? You know, the Greek woman who responded to Jesus, saying: “Lord, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s scraps” (id.). Moreover, did Jesus not heal the deaf man who had a speech impediment by putting “his finger into the man’s ears and, spitting, touched his tongue” and said, “Ephphatha!” (Be opened!) (Mark 7:31-37)? 

It is hard to imagine that the Pharisees had not heard about how Jesus fed the four thousand (8:1-10). Yet, here they were, testing him by arguing with him and seeking from him a sign from heaven. This was a replay of the Israelites’ rebellion against God in the desert that angered the Lord God, who said to Moses, “How long will this people despise me? And how long will they refuse to believe in me, in spite of all the signs that I have done among them?” (Numbers 14:11, 22) Even more than that, the Pharisees were telling Jesus to prove himself to them if he wanted to garner their approval or esteem. This is a very dangerous game that they played because they were putting themselves in the role of Satan himself, who tested Jesus in the desert (Mark 1:12-13). Jesus answered Satan, saying: “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord, your God to the test. . . Get away, Satan!” (Matthew 4:7, 10). Similarly, Jesus answered the Pharisees, saying: “Amen, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.”

In our own lives, how have we tested God that has caused him to “sigh from the depth of his spirit” at our unbelief? In those moments, let us pray - “From the belief that I have to earn Your love, Deliver me Jesus. . . From all suspicion of Your words and promises, Deliver me Jesus. . . ” Or how have we been like Cain, filled with resentment toward God, because we felt that God has favored the “Abels” in our lives more than us? In those moments, let us pray - “From disbelief in Your love and presence, Deliver me Jesus. . . That You always hear me and in your goodness always respond to me, Jesus, I trust in you.” (Litany of Trust https://sistersoflife.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Mobile-Litany-of-Trust-English-1.pdf) Therefore, let us not be unbelieving like the Pharisees but, rather, let us take to heart what Jesus says to us, “Everything is possible to one who has faith,” and respond to Christ, saying, “I do believe, help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:13-14).

. . .

Gospel of the Day (Mark 8:11-13)

The Pharisees came forward and began to argue with Jesus,

seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him.

He sighed from the depth of his spirit and said,

“Why does this generation seek a sign?

Amen, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.”

Then he left them, got into the boat again,

and went off to the other shore.

Remembering Fr. Michael O'Connor

I wrote this blog for my benefit because Fr. Michael inspired me to (1) serve at the holy sacrifice of the Mass with reverence and love for our Eucharistic Lord and (2) give God my best when I proclaim the Gospel and preach.

I enjoyed serving with Fr. Michael and, especially, enjoyed sitting back and listening to him preach. (Actually, you can see me in one of the video clips the tribute that Shane H. Wilder put together - linked below).

I always wanted to be at my best when serving with Fr. Michael; however, I had a few "bloopers". The first was having to turn the Book of the Gospels the correct way at the ambo because the it was put in upside-down in the gold metal cover. I could see Fr. Michael shaking his head from the corner of my eyes. :) The second time was chanting the Alleluia before proclaiming the Gospel. As I learned afterwards, Fr. Michael does not chant the Gospel Acclamation when he celebrates Mass and there is no cantor. Again, I could see Fr. Michael shaking his head from the corner of my eyes.:)

The last time I served at Mass with him, Fr. Michael had to use the front pews to lean against during him homily because he was tired. Normally, he would pace back and forth so that everyone would know that he was speaking directly to them. As I listened to him preached and witnessed him giving everything he had out of love for God, I thought to myself that I have no excuse not to give God everything I have when I serve at Mass.

Thank you, Fr. Michael. Until we meet again. . .

. . .

Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy,

our life, our sweetness and our hope.

To thee do we cry, 

poor banished children of Eve.

To thee do we send up our sighs,

mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.

Turn then, most gracious advocate,

thine eyes of mercy toward us,

and after this our exile

show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

O clement, O loving,

O sweet Virgin Mary.

Eternal rest grant unto, Fr. Michael, O Lord. Let the perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Here is a link to the collection of Fr. Michael's homilies during this time at St. Albert the Great Catholic Church: https://saintalbert.org/fr-michaels-homilies

Here is a link to Fr. Tom Reitmeyer's homily at Fr. Michael's funeral Mass on 2/6/2025: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/18fBqichP9/. Fr. James Misko also gave a wonderful homily at Fr. Michael's funeral Vigil but I do not think it was recorded.

Also, here is a link to the song "Well Done" by Catholic Music Initiative - Kevin Kapchinski https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qi_MDqhZdX0 that Fr. Tom shared in memory of Fr. Michael.

Here is a link to the video tribute that Shane H. Wilder, a St. Albert the Great parishioner, created: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcGZIDIbmi8

Here is Fr. Michael's obituary (posted by the Diocese of Austin):

It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Father Michael J. O'Connor. While we mourn his loss, we rejoice that he is now at peace with God.

Fr. Michael's obituary and funeral arrangements are below:

Reverend Michael Joseph O’Connor, age 63, a Catholic priest of the Diocese of Austin for nearly 21 years, passed away on January 26, in Austin, Texas. He was born on March 2, 1961, in Rotherham, United Kingdom, to Maureen and Harry O’Connor. Father Michael attended Ushaw College in Durham and St. Joseph’s College Seminary in Upholland.

He was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Hallam in England on July 13, 1985, and began to serve in the Diocese of Austin in 2004 and was incardinated into the Diocese on April 8, 2013.

During his nearly 40 years as a priest, he will be best remembered for his inspiring and challenging homilies, his love of ministry by inspiring other young men to say yes to a life of service through the priesthood, his impeccable eye for detail and organizing countless priestly events. He possessed a steadfast love for our Blessed Mother, Mary, along with his own mother, Maureen, who formed and shaped him into the priest many loved and cherished.

A Visitation, followed by the Vigil for the Deceased and prayer of the Rosary will be Wednesday, February 5, 2025, at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 3201 Sunrise Rd., Round Rock, with the Visitation from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and the Vigil with Rosary at 7:00 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, February 6, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, Round Rock, with Most Rev. Joe S. Vásquez presiding.

To continue Fr. Michael’s legacy of promoting priestly vocations, consider a memorial donation to the Catholic Foundation - Diocese of Austin, Seminarian Endowment (catholicfdn.org).

Homily for the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C - 2/9/2025)

Good morning (afternoon). In the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah, the Lord God said: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you” (1:5). Moreover, on the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, which we celebrated last Sunday, we heard in the Gospel that Joseph and Mary “took [Jesus] up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, ‘Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord. . .’” (2:23). Then, in today’s Gospel, we heard Jesus say to Simon Peter, "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men."

These words - “dedicated” and “consecrated” - along with what Jesus said to Simon Peter should fill us with hope. We should feel loved by God because, when we were but a blip in His mind, our Lord dedicated each of us for a purpose in life. And then, when we were reborn in the waters of Baptism to a new life in Christ, we were consecrated, or set aside, by God for a purpose because we are “wonderfully made” by our Creator (Psalm 139:14). He gives each one of us a mission in life that is unique to you and me. John Henry Newman shared this profound insight, saying: “I am created to do something or to be something for which no one else is created; I have a place in God's counsels, in God's world, which no one else has. . . God knows me and calls me by my name.” Indeed, God knows each of us intimately and calls us by name. Our task is to “recognize” God’s call to us and “to act upon it” (Fr. Tim Gallagher).

We hear this dialog between God and the Prophet Isaiah in today’s first reading. Isaiah heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?” For his part, Isaiah responded in faith, saying, "Here I am; send me!" And so the Lord God gave Isaiah a mission and sent him on his way to fulfill his purpose in life. Simon had a life as a fisherman and, like the rest of us, he was probably content with his life, making a living and providing for his family. Then, Jesus came walking into Simon Peter’s life (quite literally, Jesus got into the boat that belonged to him), called him, and told him to “[put] out into deep water.” Peter listened and did as Jesus commanded of him. Christ then gave him a mission. Simon Peter now had a new life in Christ, the mission that Jesus gave him became his purpose in life - to be a fisher of men. How did Simon Peter (as well as his brother, Andrew, and the sons of Zebedee - John and James) respond? “[They] left everything and followed [Jesus].”

My sisters and brothers in Christ, do we believe with all our heart, mind, and soul that God created us out of His love for us? By faith, do we believe that He has a purpose for us in life, a mission that he wants to send us on? If our answer is “No”, then the necessary first step for us to take is to pray. . . pray. . . and pray. “[Go] to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father” (Matthew 6:6). Pray with your spouse and your family and help each other discern God’s call and His will as a married couple and family. Come to church and participate in the holy sacrifice of the Mass with God’s faithful people because, in that intimate moment after we have received our Eucharistic Lord and return to our seat in the pews to pray, his Sacred Heart and our heart are so close together that we can hear God whisper his love and will into our soul: “I love you, my son. . . I love you, my daughter. . . Will you come and follow me. . . if I but call your name? Will you quell the fear inside. . . [and] go where you don’t know. . . and never be the same?” (“The Summons” lyrics).

Many of us are afraid to pray, to say to God, “Here I am, Lord. I have come to do your will.” Why? Well, because it can be terrifying to wonder what God will ask of us, especially the thought of what we might have to give up to come and follow him. However, you know what, it is okay to freak out a little. . . or a lot. Simon Peter freaked out a little when Jesus said to him, “Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch." He replied, saying, “Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing. . .” What are some of our freak out moments? Perhaps, it is, Lord, you know that I have a fiancée, then why are you calling me to the priesthood? Or, Lord, I have a family to support and a demanding job, I do not have time to enter Formation to become a deacon, so why are you calling me? Maybe it is even, Lord, you know my parents want grandchildren, so why are you calling me to be a religious brother (or sister)? You might even be wondering, Lord, is this the person I want to marry and spend the rest of my life with?

Jesus patiently listens to our reasonings with love and compassion, just as he listened to Simon Peter. And as we peer into his eyes gazing back at us, he whispers into our hearts: “Do you love me more than these?” And, again, “do you love me?” And, a third time, “do you love me?” (John 21:15-17). In that moment, we come to the same realization that “[but] by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me has not been ineffective. Indeed, I have toiled harder than all of them; not I, however, but the grace of God that is with me.” Our life is what it is by the grace of God. We are sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, fathers and mothers. We are in committed relationships and have lasting friendships. We toil daily to provide for our families. Jesus knows this. He experienced this thing we call life. Yet, he never wavered in his conviction to do the will of his Father in heaven even unto death on the Cross, praying: “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will.”

Jesus walks into our lives and simply asks us: “Do you love me more than these? Do you love me enough to trust me? Then, do not be afraid and put out into the deep.” When we open ourselves to God’s will for us, we will realize that our restless hearts ache to respond to our Lord, saying: “Here I am, Lord; send me!" Bishop Vásquez reminds us all the time that “it is always good to say ‘Yes’ to God, because we will receive abundant graces from Him.” I leave you with these words of Pope Saint John XXIII: “This is the mystery of my life. Do not seek other explanations. I have always repeated the words of St. Gregory Nazianzen: ‘In your will is our peace’” Let God’s will be our personal vocation and we will find peace and joy; for it is in His will that we find our purpose in life and our restless hearts find rest

. . .

Gospel of the Day

Luke 5:1-11

While the crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening

to the word of God,

he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret.

He saw two boats there alongside the lake;

the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets.

Getting into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon,

he asked him to put out a short distance from the shore.

Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat.

After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon,

"Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch."

Simon said in reply,

"Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing,

but at your command I will lower the nets."

When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish

and their nets were tearing.

They signaled to their partners in the other boat

to come to help them.

They came and filled both boats

so that the boats were in danger of sinking.

When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said,

"Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man."

For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him

and all those with him,

and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee,

who were partners of Simon.

Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid;

from now on you will be catching men."

When they brought their boats to the shore,

they left everything and followed him.

Homily for Monday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time (Year C - 2/3/2025)

Good morning. Today’s Gospel, in which Jesus healed the Gerasene demoniac, gives us hope because, no matter how dire we believe our situation might be or how unforgivable or unlovable we might think we are to others and, especially, to ourselves, Jesus loves us and has the power to save us from our wretchedness. Saint John reminds us of this when he wrote: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him” (3:16-17).

The man possessed by the demoniac “had been dwelling among the tombs. . . and on the hillsides he was always crying out. . .” He was ostracized by the townspeople. His family had given up all hope that he would ever be cured. They even allowed him to be “bound with shackles and chains” by the townspeople. Yet, even though the man was not in his right mind, evidenced by the fact that he had been “bruising himself with stones”, he recognized Jesus “from a distance” and “ran up and prostrated himself before [Jesus].” What did Jesus do in response? With authority and power of the Son of the Most High God over the demoniac, identified as Legion (for there were many of them), Jesus commanded the unclean spirit to “come out of the man!” Jesus broke the shackles and chains that bound the man and freed him to become the person that God created him to be - a man who has a family and belongs to a community and, most of all, a man with a purpose in life - to share with others who Jesus was and what Christ did for him.

This gives us hope to believe that Christ can break the “shackles and chains” that bind us in our lives because he is our God and we are His people, the flock He shepherds (Jeremiah 31:33). When we believe this with all our heart, all our mind, and all our soul, then this singular belief will give us the strength and courage to turn to Jesus with confidence for help when the “shackles and chains” in our lives become too much for us to bear, just like the man possessed by the demoniac turned to Christ for help. Our Lord Jesus Christ desires to free us and, when he breaks the “shackles and chains” that bind us, whatever they may be, he will say to us: “Go home to your family and announce to them all that the Lord in his pity has done for you.” Then, freed from sin, we can become who God created us to be, beloved sons and daughters of our Father in heaven, ready to proclaim to all what Jesus has done for us.

Finally, today is the Memorial of Saint Blaise, Bishop and Martyr, who was martyred in his episcopal city of Sebastea, Armenia, in 316. Persecution of Christians raged in Armenia, which forced Blaise to flee to the back country where he lived as a hermit in solitude and prayer. The hunters happened to stumble into his cave. The legend has it that as the hunters hauled Blaise off to prison, a mother came with her young son who had a fish bone lodged in his throat. At Blaise’s command the child was able to cough up the bone. For decades many United States Catholics have sought the annual Saint Blaise blessing for their throats.