Posted on 09/22/2001 6:04:00 PM PDT by Cultural Jihad
Thursday September 20 7:22 AM ET
NAPLES, Italy (Reuters) - Thousands of Neapolitans crammed into the city's cathedral Wednesday to witness the liquefaction of their patron saint's blood -- a good omen for Naples and the world, according to the faithful.
After an hour of prayer, Archbishop Michele Giordano held aloft the silver and glass vial purported to contain the dried blood of Saint Gennaro and thousands craned their necks to see if the blood had indeed liquefied.
The substance usually turns to liquid twice a year -- on September 19, the saint's feast day, and on the first Saturday in May. In the past, disaster has struck when the blood has remained dry.
``This is an important sign of hope not only for the city but also for the United States following the attacks,'' Antonio Bassolino, the head of the Campania region which includes Naples, declared after the ceremony.
``Like all Neapolitans, I hoped deeply that a good sign would come quickly. It is always a very emotional moment, but this year it was particularly so, given the difficult times for the city and international events,'' he said.
Naples was struck by flash floods last week which left two people dead and more than $150 million in damage.
The ceremony, which Neapolitans revere as a miracle, was also attended by the American consul to Naples, Clyde Bishop, who leant forward and kissed the vial after it was shown the blood had liquefied.
During the prayers, Archbishop Giordano called on Saint Gennaro for protection ``for America, Italy, and the whole world,'' and asked the congregation to think particularly of those Neapolitans who live in New York.
Some Neapolitans, traditionally very superstitious, fear disaster may strike the city if the blood of the fourth-century martyr does not turn to liquid.
Disaster has struck at least five times after the blood failed to liquefy, including in November 1980 when some 3,000 people died in a massive earthquake that struck southern Italy.
Scientists have confirmed the substance inside the closed vial is blood but cannot explain why it turns to liquid.
False prophets and miracles are two different things.
The loaves and fishes actually met a need. They weren't for show. Biblical miracles met needs, as they expressed God's love. They weren't nebulous signs given to glorify the pundits.
And here's the wider interactive map:
http://www.nypost.com/attack/interactive/default.htm
Where is the Church?? The map shows a St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church (damaged) but no indication of any other Church.
You might open you're mouth a little wider when you speak to prevent the spittle from getting all over your screen.
God bless,
patent
I see. Well don't tell St. Anthony but once St. Jude helped my find an expensive pair of eyeglasses.
An obvious improvement.
I dunno, makes it harder to type.
``This is an important sign of hope not only for the city but also for the United States following the attacks,'' Antonio Bassolino, the head of the Campania region which includes Naples, declared after the ceremony....During the prayers, Archbishop Giordano called on Saint Gennaro for protection ``for America, Italy, and the whole world,'' and asked the congregation to think particularly of those Neapolitans who live in New York.
From Yahoo news:
Italian Defense Minister Antonio Martino on Sunday said Italian troops would not take part in any US retaliation after the terror attacks and that use of the term "war" was inappropriate."The term 'war' is inappropriate. It is not a conflict between states and Italian troops will not go anywhere," Martino told the RAI television station.
"I feel I am in a position to categorically exclude calling on the army," he said.
So, Italy isn't participating, but instead, is calling for the necessity of a coalition ( ???? ). The saint's blood liquifies, and this somehow is a good omen for the US? The blood liquification only foretold of times for Naples, not the US. Naples ain't doing jack in the coalition. So how is this good for the US?
Sounds to me like some guilt-ridden neopolitans!
One particular burning bush comes to mind.
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