256 THE MAGIC OF JEWELS AND CHARMS
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Cardinal Taschereau. This is a bone from St. Anne's wrist measuring
four inches in length. It is enclosed in a reliquary made of massive
gold and studded with precious stones, the gifts of those whose prayers
to the saint had been answered. In the ornamentation appear eight
diamonds, four amethysts, a fire opal, etc. At the bottom of the
reliquary there is a gold plate with the inscription: "Ex brachio S.
Annae," and a gold ring set with twenty-eight diamonds. This
jealously-guarded treasure is exhibited in the shrine but once a year,
from July 26 to August 2, a period comprising St. Anne's Day and the
week following it ; at other times the reliquary is kept in the
Sacristy, but may be seen on special request.
A
remarkable jewel in the treasury of the Basilica is the seal of Santa
Anna, elected president of Mexico in 1832. A golden eagle, with eyes
formed of two rubies, stands on a rock of lapis lazuli and bears the
stamp of the seal ; resting on his spread wings is a sphere of lapis
lazuli in which the words "Diaz, Mexico," are inlaid in letters of
gold. The seal is engraved with the initials of the president's name,
surrounded by a design embodying the insignia of his office.
At
the feast of St. Blaise, Bishop of Sebaste, in Armenia (d. circa 316),
which occurs on February 3d in the Roman Church, the wick of a candle
is sometimes dipped in a vessel containing consecrated oil, the throats
of the faithful being then touched with this wick, to preserve them
from diseases of the throat. At other times the ceremony is performed
in a different way. The priest holds two candles, adjusted so as to
form a cross, above the heads of those who come to seek the saint's
aid, and the following prayer is recited: ' ' Through the intercession
of St. Blaise may God free thee from diseases of the throat, and from
every other disease. (Per intercessionem S. Blasii liberet te Deus a
malo gutteris et a quo vis alio malo.)
