EVERY FLOWER CREATED


SAINT BLAISE





Episode 13



Saint Blaise, like so many others saints, is an interesting case; being made a saint for his martyrdom, but without having a firm knowledge of all of his actions in life, Saint Blaise remains shrouded in enigma or legend with every story that is told about him. However, there are a few things that are certain about the Bishop of Sebastea: he was a dedicated servant of Christ, he united many people to the Beatific Vision before and after death, and was a friend to many, including animals and children.


Though it can be difficult to build a relationship with saints that are from ages so far past (especially when their history is obscured by mythologizing of their lives and deeds), there is a firm presence of Saint Blaise in his acts following his death and even today through his miraculous works and his intercession in prayer.



NOTES and RESOURCES.



Lived: ?-316

Canonized: Unknown, pre-congregation

Feast Day: February 3rd

Patron of woolcombers, Dubrovnik, wild animals, throats,

throat ailments


SHOWNOTES:

Acts of Saint Blaise, (early 700s) *This document is considered

an apocryphal document and should not be taken to accurately

represent the full truth of St. Blaise's life.


FURTHER RESOURCES:

Roman Breviary, reformed by order of the Holy Ecumenical Council

of Trent

Live of the Saints, Compiled by Jacobus de Voragine (1275)



FLower of the Linden Tree





​ The flower we have chosen to associate with Saint Blaise is the flower of the linden tree. While it may be amusingly stated that the flower can be used to brew teas well-suited to help sore throats, the association does not stop there. The Saint, having a very strong impact on the life of the episode’s interviewee, offered a sense of how the Mystical Body of the Church can be approached--especially among those saintly members that are so obscured by the passage of time.


Every part of the tree can be used, eaten, or turned into a product, which reflects the giving nature of Saint Blaise. In the distance, it appears docile enough, but draw close enough to the tree abuzz with the numerous bees that fill its branches, and the sight can be daunting-- even ominous-- until you realize what a peaceful, awe-inspiring work of nature it can be.



Artist: Kristen Hockel
Medium: Acrylic paint




BLAISE A. HOCKEL





Blaise A. Hockel, co-host on the podcast, is husband to Every Flower Created progenitor, Kristen Hockel, and father of two. A Catholic School teacher for half a decade, an author and poet, Blaise enjoys spending his time reading, writing, hiking or fishing in the wilderness, and spending time with his family (usually immersed in board games or preparing succulent dishes in the kitchen).


A fanatic of the fantastical and an imposer of imagination, Blaise loves stories, both in their creation and in their telling. His love of the saints probably originates in those same stories that he has the pleasure of retelling and hearing from all sorts of knowlegables here on the podcast. Forgive his eccentricities and recognize it is exuberance stemming from deep love, and you will understand where he comes from well enough.


​