About Today for Saturday in the 4th week of Ordinary Time or St. Blase, B & M or St. Ansgar, B or Blessed Virgin Mary

February 3

St. Blaise, Bishop and Martyr and St. Ansgar, Bishop

Optional Memorial

February 3rd marks the optional memorial of two great saints.

St. Blaise, Bishop of Sebaste and holy martyr, was a Christian of the 4th century living in modern day Armenia. He is venerated as one of the 14 Holy Martyrs of the Church and was one of the most popular saints in the Middle Ages. St. Blaise was a perceptive physician known for his skill with throat ailments, caring for animals, and using his Oriental training for the good health of all he encountered.

Also, today we remember St. Ansgar, champion of Sweden and Denmark as well as the first Archbishop to Hamburg. A devoted Benedictine, this pious monk was active in social reforms including mitigating the slave trade, opening schools and hospitals, ransoming captives, and negotiating with secular leaders of his day. He is lovingly remembered as the “Apostle to the North.” [1]

Written by Sarah Ciotti
[1] The Catholic Encyclopedia. New Advent ed. New York: The Encyclopedia Press, Inc., 1914.
Note: Optional Memorials and Commemorations are optional celebrations and, at present, we do not include content specific to these special days. This “About Today” is provided so that you can celebrate these Saints as you worship Christ.