Feast of St. Blaise - Bishop, Martyr and Healer of Wild Animals

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This morning at Mass I learned of another saint who healed animals.  According to legend, because of persecution, he withdrew to a cave in the mountains.  The sick or wounded wild animals would go to look for him for healing.  But they would not interrupt him if he was at prayer.  Then we would heal them.

The following is an excerpt from Butler's The Lives of the Saints:

When persecution arose, he withdrew by divine direction to a cave in the mountains which was frequented only by wild beats. These he healed when they were sick or wounded, and they used to come round him to receive his blessing. Hunters, who had been sent to secure anmals for the amphitheater, found the saint surrounded by the beasts, and, though greatly amazed, they seized him and took him to Agricolaus. On their way they met a poor woman whose pig had been carried off by a wolf; at the command of St. Blaise, the wolf restored the pig unhurt.

Dear St. Blaise, healer of animals that were either wounded or sick, pray for all our pets.