Today we continue our (oft-interrupted) series on the less well-known blessings for special days and feasts that enrich the traditional Roman Rite. Some of these continue to be performed (normally with reduced prayers and ceremonial) in the context of the modern Roman Rite as well. The blessing of candles and procession associated with the Feast of the Purification are quite well-known, so I didn't discuss these yesterday.On this day, candles, bread, wine, water and fruit are blessed in honor of St. Blaise of Sebaste, for the relief of throat ailments. The candles, after being blessed, are then crossed together and placed either upon the heads or on the throats of the faithful. (In the places where the blessings are still performed, only the candles are normally blessed.)
The following translations of the blessings in honor of St. Blaise, found in the Roman Ritual, are copied from the Sancta Missa website.
BLESSING OF CANDLES
P: Our help is in the name of the Lord.
All: Who made heaven and earth.
P: The Lord be with you.
All: May He also be with you.
God, almighty and all-mild, by your Word alone you created the manifold things in the world, and willed that that same Word by whom all things were made take flesh in order to redeem mankind; you are great and immeasurable, awesome and praiseworthy, a worker of marvels. Hence in professing his faith in you the glorious martyr and bishop, Blaise, did not fear any manner of torment but gladly accepted the palm of martyrdom. In virtue of which you bestowed on him, among other gifts, the power to heal all ailments of the throat. And now we implore your majesty that, overlooking our guilt and considering only his merits and intercession, it may please you to bless 
They are sprinkled with holy water....
After blessing the candles on the feast of St. Blaise, the priest holds two candles fastened like a cross to the throat of the person kneeling before him, and says:
By the intercession of St. Blaise, bishop and martyr, may God deliver you from every malady of the throat, and from every possible mishap; in the name of the Father, and of the Son,
For the Relief of Throat Ailments
on the Feast of St. Blaise
(Approved by the Congregation of Sacred Rites on Sept. 25, 1883)
P: Our help is in the name of the Lord.
All: Who made heaven and earth.
P: The Lord be with you.
All: May He also be with you.
God, Savior of the world, who consecrated this day by the martyrdom of blessed Blaise, granting him among other gifts the power of healing all who are afflicted with ailments of the throat; we humbly appeal to your boundless mercy, begging that these fruits, bread, wine, and water brought by your devoted people be blessed
They are sprinkled with holy water.
(The picture of the blessing of throats is taken from the website of Una Voce Carmel.)
