Miracle of the Liquefaction of Blood of St. Januarius Is Repeated in Naples, Italy
The announcement of the miracle was made by Monsignor Vincenzo De Gregorio, abbot of the Chapel of the Treasure of St. Januarius.
The announcement of the miracle was made by Monsignor Vincenzo De Gregorio, abbot of the Chapel of the Treasure of St. Januarius.
Cardinal Domenico Battaglia, the archbishop of Naples, presided over the morning Mass, then displayed the vial containing the patron saint’s blood before all present during the celebration.
The extraordinary event, which did not occur in the morning as usual, finally happened at 5:40 p.m. (local time) on Dec. 16, the anniversary of his intervention to prevent the effects of an eruption of the Mount Vesuvius volcano in 1631.
The archbishop recalled that Sept. 19 marks the anniversary of St. Januarius’ martyrdom more than 1,700 years ago.
According to documentation cited by the Italian media Famiglia Cristiana, the miracle has taken place since at least 1389, the first instance on record.
This miracle usually occurs three times a year.
The miracle of liquefaction traditionally occurs three times a year.
The declaration that the miracle had again taken place was made at the start of Mass by Abbot Vincenzo De Gregorio.
St. Januarius, known as San Gennaro in Italian, is the patron saint of Naples. The bishop is believed to have been martyred during the Christian persecution of Emperor Diocletian.
Archbishop Domenico Battaglia of Naples held up an ampoule containing the relic of the third-century martyr-saint’s blood in Naples Cathedral on Sept. 19, revealing the liquefaction to shouts and cheers. The reputed miracle usually occurs up to three times a year.
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