Toledo St. Francis de Sales High School freshman Reid Kersey was among the students who had their throats blessed at St. Francis de Sales High School. (Photo courtesy of St. Francis de Sales High School)

Tradition holds that St. Blase was a physician and a bishop in the late third century. He cured a young man who had a fishbone in his throat and was in danger of choking to death. He was one of the most popular saints of the Middle Ages, and he is usually pictured holding two crossed candles in his hand.

He was beheaded for his faith, after being beaten and suspended from a tree with his flesh being torn by iron combs or rakes.

Students, teachers and staff at Toledo St. Francis de Sales High School had their throats blessed Feb. 3 by school chaplain Oblate of St. Francis Father John Lehner during the three lunch periods.