In the United States the annual blessing of throats is a traditional sign of the struggle against illness in the life of the Christian. This blessing is given during Mass on February 3, the memorial of Saint Blaise. Saint Blaise was the bishop of Sebaste in Armenia during the fourth century. Very little is known about his life. His cult spread throughout the entire Church in the Middle Ages because he was reputed to have miraculously cured a little boy who nearly died because of a fishbone in his throat. From the eighth century he has been invoked on behalf of the sick, especially those afflicted with illnesses of the throat. The blessing of throats may be given by a priest, deacon, or a lay minister following the rites and prayers. If the blessing is conferred during Mass, the blessing follows the homily and general intercessions. The blessing may be given by touching the throat of each person with two candles blessed on the feast of the Presentation of the Lord and which have been joined together in the form of a cross. (Excerpted from the Book of Blessings, 1624-1627)