Project BLACK MAMBA

'Tis the Optional Memorial of Saint Blaise, Bishop & Martyr (died circa 316), martyred in the reign of the emperor Licinius, one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers: Martyr-link ūnus, Martyr-link duo & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link XIV.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

From being a healer of bodily ailments, Saint Blaise became a physician of souls, then retired for a time of cavern where he remained in prayer. As bishop of Sebastea, Blaise instructed his people as much by his example as by his words, & the great virtues & sanctity of the servant of God were attested by many miracles.

Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:

We know more about the devotion to St. Blaise by Christians around the world than we know about the saint himself. His feast is observed as a holy day in some Eastern Churches. In 1222, the Council of Oxford prohibited servile labor in England on Blaise's feast day. The Germans & Slavs hold him in special honor & for decades many United States Catholics have sought the annual Saint Blaise blessing for their throats. Bishop Blaise was martyred in his episcopal city of Sebastea, Armenia, in 316.

Quoth the Living the Gospel Day by Day:

On the feast of St. Blaise, we have our throats blessed. The Holy Spirit cleanses us of every evil, in particular from disease of the throat. In this purgation we offer all our sins that they may be washed away forever.

The blessing of St. Blaise:

Through the intercession of Saint Blaise, bishop & martyr, may God deliver you from ailments of the throat & from every other evil. In the name of the Father, & of the Son, & of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

'Tis also the Optional Memorial of Saint Ansgar, Bishop, O.S.B. (801-865, also spelt Anskar or Anschar): Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

Saint Ansgar was an Archbishop of Hamburg-Bremen, a northern part of the Kingdom of the East Franks. The Diocese of Hamburg was designated a mission to bring Christianity to Northern Europe, & Ansgar became known as the "Apostle of the North."

'Tis also the feast of Saint Berlinda of Meerbeke, Religious, O.S.B. (died 702, also spelt Berlindis): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the feast of Saint Margaret of England, Religious, O.Cist. (died 1192): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
Weekday
The Letter to the Hebrews, chapter thirteen, verses one thru eight;
Psalm Twenty-seven, verses one, three, five, & eight(b) thru (nine(c);
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter six, verses fourteen thru twenty-nine;

or, for St. Blaise:
The Letter to the Romans, chapter five, verses one thru five;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter sixteen, verse fifteen;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter sixteen, verses fifteen thru twenty.

or, for St. Ansgar:
The Book of Isaiah, chapter fifty-two, verses seven thru ten;
Psalm Ninety-six, verse three;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter one, verses fourteen thru twenty.