The Feast of San Gennaro is a major occasion in Italy, and thousands of Neopolitans will be packing into the Cathedral today to witness the miracle. In defence of the blood miracle of San Gennaro, St. Alphonsus Liguori wrote:
"The Neapolitans honour this saint as the principal patron of their city and nation, and the Lord himself has continued to honour him, by allowing many miracles to be wrought through his intercession, particularly when the frightful eruptions of Mount Vesuvius have threatened the city of Naples with utter destruction. While the relics of San Gennaro were being brought in procession towards this terrific volcano, the torrents of lava and liquid fire which it emitted have ceased, or turned their course from the city. But the most stupendous miracle, and that which is greatly celebrated in the church, is the liquefying and boiling up of this blessed martyr's blood whenever the vials are brought in sight of his head. This miracle is renewed many times in the year, in presence of all who desire to witness it; yet some heretics have endeavored to throw a doubt upon its genuineness, by frivolous and incoherent explanations; but on one can deny the effect to be miraculous, unless he be prepared to question the evidence of his senses."
John Henry Cardinal Newman also attested to the veracity of the miracle of liquefaction:
"I think it impossible to withstand the evidence which is brought for the liquefaction of the blood of San Gennaro at Naples."
The blood is ancient and the miracle began in the 1300s.
It apparently turns from a solid to a liquid when the vial in which it is contained is brought out before the people.
Now that is something I would love to see.
Waffle King
How unusual, yet, damn well interesting, nice one hobbs
Raymond
This is it happening apparently:-
Hobbs, if you want to put stories on here they have to have photos with them ok?
david hobbs
Well researched Raymond.
I tried to find pictures to put on but ran out of time.
This is a modern miracle and verified by very responsible people.
It brings the consensus reality into question.
Em, Can you see what else you can find.
Raymond
Will this do? :
It would scarcely be accurate to say that San Gennaro has never made headlines since the day his lifeless body collapsed at the feet of imperially-backed cutthroats.
The truth is that the bishop of Benevento whom the Church honours on September 19, has been in the news again and again over the last fifteen centuries.
In parts of Italy he still rates front-page coverage today, chiefly in connection with the recurring prodigy of the liquefaction of his blood.
The blood of San Gennaro is contained in two glass phials of different shapes and sizes. Both phials are perfectly sealed and are enclosed in a metal case which permit them to be exposed to view.
The blood in the larger phial reaches about the halfway mark; in the smaller container only a few drops are seen adhering to the bottom.
This martyr's blood, which is normally solidified and of a dark colour, occasionally becomes liquid and reddish, sometimes frothing, bubbling up, and increasing in volume.
This usually occurs twice a year; on the first Sunday of May, the feast of the transfer of the Saint's relics; also on September 19, the anniversary of his martyrdom.
This miracle of the blood, as it is popularly called, has naturally spared no end of heated discussion and controversy.
Various explanations involving the interplay of certain forces and factors have been brought forward over the years by earnest students of the phenomenon. So far, on one has come up with any clue that satisfies the general public. No one knows for sure how this liquefaction takes place at certain precise times.
Tradition has it that the prodigy happened for the frist time about four decades after Gennaro's death, when his relics were being removed to the catacombs of Naples.
Accompanying the cortege that day was Eusebia, the woman who had originally cleaned up the martyred bishop's blood after his be-heading and who now carried it in a phial along the processional march.
Suddenly the dark solidified mass became a vivid, life like red liquid.
The recurrence of this marvel down the centuries, and even in our time, guarantees that the prestige which Gennaro has constantly enjoyed will scarcely diminish in the foreseeable future.
The people of Naples have reached their own conclusions about San Gennaro. In their opinion he is not merely a "specialist" to invoke in certain situations, by a "general practitioner" to whom they can have recourse in all needs and circumstances.
They pray to him for protection from fire, earthquake, and eruptions of Vesuvius; for preservation from plagues and droughts, in short, for all the favors and blessings they need or desire. In every emergency San Gennaro is their powerful champion and universal helper.
Each year on the first Sunday of May, the blood of their venerated patron and his head enclosed in a silver reliquary are carried in procession.
The crowds wend their way from the Duomo of Naples to the Franciscan Church of Saint Clare, where the miraculous liquefaction takes place.
The statues of several saints, including Saint Joseph and Saint Anthony of Padua, are likewise borne in procession, which is often described as the procession "or the wreathed," because of the garlands used on this occasion.
The annual highlight is the solemn commemoration which the Neapolitans hold in their cathedral on September 19.
Civil and church authorities are on hand, as are also vast numbers of the public.
The procession forms with the congregation signing the Litany of the Saints. When the prodigy of the liquefaction takes effect, the priest exhibits the phials of liquefied blood in full view of the gathering. A joyous Te Deum is sung and clergy and the crowd approach to venerate the relics of the ever-popular patron.
david hobbs
Yes that will do nicely thank you.
This one case of a modern day miracle could be discussed for ever really because it challenges our world view.
I wonder what the likes of James Randi would make of it?
Raymond
david hobbs wrote:
I wonder what the likes of James Randi would make of it?
Or Mr. Donnis.
I think they would probably avoid issues such as this with flippant comments like; "I couldn't possibly comment as I have never witnessed this event for myself" - knowing full well they probably never will.
Things like this aren't very good for their line of business you see.
david hobbs
There is a story about faith healing to if my memory serves me. A man grew an entirely new hip.
