St. Blaise, February 3
Bishop of Sebaste in Armenia, Blaise died a martyr in the early fourth century. He is said to have saved a boy choking on a fish bone, and on his day throats are blessed with two crossed candles. The same day honors St. Ansgar, apostle of Scandinavia.
On the General Roman Calendar, February 3 is an optional memorial: Saint Blaise, bishop and martyr.
Other saints on February 3
- St. Ansgar, bishop, apostle of the North (865)
Name days on February 3
In countries that keep name days, February 3 is the day for people named Blaise, Ansgar, and Oscar. These names come from the same saint, as variants, nicknames or forms used in other languages.
| Name | Feast day |
|---|---|
| Blaise | February 3 |
| Ansgar | February 3 |
| Oscar | February 3 |
February 3 on the calendar
February 3 is the 34th day of the year, with 331 days left until December 31. Here is the day of the week it falls on in the coming years:
| Year | Day |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Tuesday |
| 2027 | Wednesday |
| 2028 | Thursday |
| 2029 | Saturday |
| 2030 | Sunday |
Keeping February 3
February 3 falls in winter. As an optional memorial, each parish or priest may choose whether to celebrate it. Families who keep name days often mark the day with a card, a candle or a favorite meal, and parishes named after the saint may hold a festival. If you know someone named Blaise, Ansgar, and Oscar, it is a good day to send a note.
Saints of the week around February 3
| Date | Saint or feast |
|---|---|
| January 31 | St. John Bosco |
| February 1 | St. Brigid of Kildare |
| February 2 | Presentation of the Lord |
| February 4 | St. Joan of Valois |
| February 5 | St. Agatha |
| February 6 | St. Paul Miki and Companions |
The day before, February 2, is the day of Presentation of the Lord. The day after, February 4, belongs to St. Joan of Valois. Looking for a name? Try the name day calendar or go back to today’s saint.