Saint's Dried Blood Liquefies in 'Miracle'

Reuters ^ | September 19, 2002

[nickcarraway]

NAPLES, Italy (Reuters) - The substance many Neopolitans believe is the dried blood of their patron saint liquefied right on cue on Thursday, in a twice-yearly "miracle."

Thousands of faithful crammed into Naples cathedral to see the blood of the fourth century Saint Gennaro turn from powder to liquid, which they see as a good omen for the city and the world. The miracle has been recorded almost without fail for the past 600 years -- on September 19, the saint's feast day, and on the first Saturday in May. When the blood has remained dry, tragedies have followed.

Scientists have confirmed that the substance inside the closed vial is blood but cannot explain why it regularly turns to liquid.

Cardinal Michele Giordano told the congregation this year's miracle was particularly good, because the blood had liquefied in less than an hour.

"It's an extraordinary event, also because you can clearly see that the blood has changed color and there's more of it," Girodano said holding up the glass vial.

Disaster has struck at least five times after the blood failed to liquefy. In 1527 the plague killed 40,000 people and more recently in November 1980 some 3,000 people died in a massive earthquake that struck southern Italy.

[RobRoy]

>>You were nothing but the satanic spawn of the father of lies for your age. <<

Interesting opinion. Care to back it up?

You quote some men whose opinions you respect. I could quote the koran to "prove" Christians should be killed. That doesn't make it so. I don't want to hear what some other guy believes, I want BIBLE SCRIPTURE that backs up your claims against me. Any other "quotes" hold no more weight with me than the quotes of Joseph Smith, Mohamed, the Koran or the Book of Mormon.

No offense, but you're comming off a little strident.

Maybe the morning coffee should go for a while as well.

[RobRoy]

>>That someone even equates your bastard religions as in any way relating to Christ is what is truly offensive: to God the father, Son and Holy Ghost.<<

In matters such as this, I cannot presume to know what is offensive to Him, only what is offensive to me.

And, hey, I could be wrong. I remember I was wrong once in '84. Or was it '85...

[RobRoy]

>>Lanciano Eucharstic Miracle - Microscopic slides of myocardial tissue comprising Sacred Host. <<

Well, apparently it’s SOMEBODIES tissue. I was in a medical college once. They had plastic containers of all sorts of tissue and organs. I don’t think any of it belonged to Jesus, though.

‘Course, I didn’t think to ask.

[RobRoy]

I just went to your profile. You are kind of a one topic woman, aren't you. Your focus was pretty much all on Catholicism. There were a couple links to Christian threads too, though.

[RobRoy]

>>His body is almost completely incorrupt for starters. <<

What's his body got to do with him? He's dead so he's left the body. It's like so much dust - as is hers.

This is some really weird "miracle" stuff. Was somebody healed or brought back to life? I don't get it.

BTW, all who profess the name of Christ are, by definition, Saints. As with most nouns, it is a clearly defined label.

[Litany]

"Your focus was pretty much all on Catholicism. There were a couple links to Christian threads too, though."

You are implying that Catholicism is not Christian....surely you don't believe that???

[RobRoy]

I just realised that there is a big cultural gap between us. You see, I see all these types of miracles as a cultural phenomenon. That is, they are big in "Catholic" countries where most of the people don't really read the Bible and just sort of blindly believe what they are told. In places where Catholics actually READ THE BIBLE and have a direct relationship with Jesus, this sort of stuff is played down or tolerated, kind of like the crazy uncle in the cellar.

It's pretty big stuff in south and central america and parts of Europe. In most of the circles I hang around, the word of God and a personal relationship with him is more valued than ALL miracle claims. Not that miracles are ignored. I've had three happen to me - REAL MIRACLES. But I couldn't prove them to anybody.

They pretty much increase my faith and personal testimony. No blood in vials, or statue tears, or shrouds of Turin or anything like that.

[RobRoy]

Oh no! I believe Catholicism is a SUBSET of Christianity. Kind of like my church is a subset of Christianity. I do not presume to believe that ALL true believers are members of my particular denomination.

That is the belief system of Mormons, Jehovas Witnesses, Muslims and other CULTS (for that I how I define a cult).

[Litany]

Yes, I would call myself a Catholic Christian. Just out of curiosity, which denomination are you?

[Virginia-American]

It ain't just Catholics: Miracle of Tsar Martyr Nicholas II

[RobRoy]

Christian. It's an offshoot of Church of Christ. We're the ones who ALLOW musical intstruments in church. It's a good thing since I play bass in the prison ministry band.

My wife was a very active catholic for over 40 years. I was Assembly of God for about 18 years.

BTW, have you ever noticed that, when dealing with non-Christians, when they ask you what your fait is, if you say Catholic or Asembly of God or Lutheren or any other, they are mildly interested and ask about your church, etc. But if you simply say you are a Christian, you are often met with hostility.

Sometimes I think that emphasis on the particular church organization dilutes the message.

The enemy doesn't fear lutherans, Catholics, methodist or members of my church (Christian). What the enemy fears, and bristles at, is CHRISTIANS!

[RobRoy]

Yeah, I was pointed there from another thread. Their hierarchy and control over members lives and beliefs is similar to the more orthodox Catholic "cultures" though, isn't it?

[Virginia-American]

Catholic and Orthodox are very similar doctrinally, the Eastern church doesn't recognize the Pope. Somehow, St. Nicholas II, Tsar and Martyr just grabs my funnybone. Reminds me a bit of the Rastafarians and Haile Selasie.

[Irisshlass]

Is this a natural event that can be explained by scientists?

[Irisshlass]

Catholics don't pinch the nerves in the back of peoples' necks and push them backwards like protestant televangelists do to make them collapse for their "miracles".

lol

[saint]

BTW, all who profess the name of Christ are, by definition, Saints.

Amen!

[Irisshlass]

In places where Catholics actually READ THE BIBLE and have a direct relationship with Jesus, this sort of stuff is played down or tolerated, kind of like the crazy uncle in the cellar.

Spiritual Gifts Unity and Variety

1 Cor, xii, 9, 10"...to another faith by the same Spirit...to another mighty deeds;..."

Heb ii, 4. "God added his testimony by signs, wonders, various acts of power, and distribution of the gifts of the Holy Spirit according to his will."

[RobRoy]

>>Heb ii, 4. "God added his testimony by signs, wonders, various acts of power, and distribution of the gifts of the Holy Spirit according to his will." <<

Yep. That doesn't mean all "signs" are from God.