Posted on 09/21/2004 9:09:07 PM PDT by Land of the Irish
Saint's Blood Reportedly Liquefies Again
NAPLES, Italy, SEPT. 19, 2004 (Zenit.org).- The blood of St. Januarius ran -- again.
So said Cardinal Michele Giordano, archbishop of Naples. Before thousands of faithful gathered in the cathedral this morning, on the liturgical feast of the city's patron, the cardinal announced that the saint's blood liquefied yet again.
The cardinal also announced that the Church in Naples will observe the 17th centenary of St. Januarius' martyrdom by promoting, next September, an international study congress on the saint's life, Vatican Radio reported.
The meeting will address questions linked to archaeology, anthropology, art history and music.
The miracle of the liquefaction of St. Januarius' blood, contained in a sealed glass vial, can occur three times a year: on Sept. 19, his feast day; the first weekend of May; and Dec. 16, anniversary of the eruption of Vesuvius in 1631 which, according to tradition, ended after the faithful prayed to the city's patron.
Januarius, bishop of Benevento, was decapitated in 305.
Ping
Ping! What does it mean, I wonder?
bumpus ad summum
Probably means we'll get a cast of thousands explaining why it has to be a fraud.
As though God couldn't liquify a little blood.
IMO - these are distractions from Christs sacrifice and prayer that should be focused on Him
bumpus ad summum.....that goes for me too!
You were right! The post after you says it all!
St. Januarius = San Gennaro, whose feast day is celebrated in NYC's famous Littel Italy with a huge street festival, is also the patron saint of my birthday: September 19th. YAY!!!!
It is sad that, as DSC has so aptly said, that people cannot believe that God who created the world, and all within it, could not liquify the blood of a Saint on his feast day - as a sign of his love and favor to those who are devoted to the intercession of St. Januarius.
I first learned about San Gennaro from a National Geographic special on Herculaneum and Pompeii that was produced 20 years ago (I didn't see it until 14 years ago or so). My mom has it on tape. One of the last times the blood didn't liquify (about 1980), Naples and its metro area suffered a devastating earthquake.
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