On the Feast of St. Blaise back in 1950, the Church blessed throats with two crossed candles: lit crossed candles. I remember this because my mom approached the altar with our twins in her arms. With the tenacious grip of 8-month-olds, Richard and Joan grabbed the candles. Monsignor Brady wrestled; his vestments, mom’s scarf, St. Mary Church — all were in danger. I, almost five, was vastly entertained. The next year (and every year since) the candles were unlit. I think the monsignor wrote to the pope; I think the twins caused this change in the liturgy.
– Blog entry by Sister Paula Gero