Well, now...wish I had known this service was available before I underwent that bloody painful tonsillectomy!
My boys and I had a hearty chuckle when we saw this sign this morning! I thought that surely this "blessing of the throats" was symbolic for something else...like the words of my mouth or my voice lifted in song to the Lord or something...ANYTHING!
So I looked it up. And guess what? I was wrong. The blessing is aptly titled and is intended to keep away the sore throats by the application of a candle wick and the sign of the cross. Oi-vay. I thought the Roman Catholics had abandoned a lot of the old superstitions!
So I looked it up. And guess what? I was wrong. The blessing is aptly titled and is intended to keep away the sore throats by the application of a candle wick and the sign of the cross. Oi-vay. I thought the Roman Catholics had abandoned a lot of the old superstitions!
4 comments:
Guess it depends on how it's done. Is the blessing treated as a magical, needle-less immunization? Or is it a prayerful acknowledgment that, with all our wonderful medicines and doctors, it is ultimately the Lord who sustains and heals us? I also think of the oil anointing/prayer for the sick mentioned in James.
Weird name, though. I'd probably call it something more dignified, like "Prayers for Health and Healing." But I can picture Chesterton being delighted with the "Blessing of Throats"---it's so doggone down-to-earth and specific and corporeal.
But I'll pass on the candle wax on the throat.
Aw, Angie! Way to go and throw cold water on my cynicism! Pullin' out Chesterton even...low blow, sister.
Really, though. Good questions. I always appreciate when you "call me on something" and make me reconsider my perspective. Don't you think this sounds absurd to unbelieving passersby though? Here's a link about the ritual: http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=28
I like Angie's comeback, but with all the strange maquis we see around here, I am pretty sure my reaction would have been the same as Lori's. Every spring the RC churches do a blessing of the animals here. Now, Angie, non-animal loving Angie, do you have a Chestertonian context for that one?
I heard there is a stomach bug going around my boys' school; what we need is a "Blessing of Digestive Tracts." That would get some double-takes from passersby!
Don't mean to throw cold water on your fun, Lori--and far be it from me to discourage having fun with signs! (Remember Pope Eye Care?)
Looking at the throat ritual, I think my problem is more with the fact that the prayers are addressed through the intercession of St. Blaise than anything else.
Jennifer: re animals. The Blessing of the Throat is one thing...those throats belong to the image of God. But pets? Have fun with them, love them, enjoy them--or pawn them off on someone else if you just can't take them anymore (you and me Lori....you and me), but keep them out of the worship service. And I have no doubt that Mr. G. K. Sentimental-Streak Chesterton would disagree with me on that one. :-)
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