Saint Januarius or San Gennaro is the patron saint of Naples, Italy, and he died in the last great persecution by the Roman Empire, that of Emperor Diocletian. Little is known about his life other than in the year AD 305, he and his companions were beheaded for refusing to worship pagan idols.
Connected with this feast is the miracle of the liquefaction of the martyrs’ blood, which is kept in a reliquary in Naples. Four times a year—the first Saturday of May, today September 19 and some day during the octave of his feast, and sometimes on December 16—his blood which is kept in a large reliquary is brought out for the Church to venerate.
This feast is celebrated with great festivity in Naples and many towns in southern Italy. Over a million people will gather in the Little Italy section of New York today for festivities as well. Both Pope Benedict and Pope Francis have made pilgrimage to Naples to witness this miracle. You can even watch youtube videos of the miracle occurring.
This miracle has been going on for centuries and is one of the most scientifically studied religious phenomenon in the world. Scientists have been unable to come up with an explanation.
Why does God perpetuate this miracle? For one, it reminds the world that He is God of awe and wonder, and awesome works, and strange ways. The miracles of the saints show us that God is at work in human history. Just as the healing miracles of Jesus, as we heard in the Gospel, show us that God is at work, God can bring healing to desperate situations.
I think the miracle of the liquification of the blood also shows our modern world that not everything can be explained with science. Science is not the great savior of the world. There are limits to human reason, things which we must accept by faith.
This miracle also reminds us that the blood of the martyrs continues to have power. The blood of Januarius, spilled for Christ, encourages us, and reminds us that God sees and treasures our sufferings for the Church.
Is every petition we make to God answered exactly as we wish? Is every request for a miracle granted? Perhaps not. But every drop of martyrs blood, every ounce of suffering for the sake of the kingdom has value in God’s eyes and power—our fasting, our penance, our mortification, the mockery we endure for the faith.
May the sufferings of Januarius and the martyrs continue to speak powerfully to our fallen world, and work the great miracle of the transformation of our hardened hearts for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
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That religious indifference in our country and around the world may be transformed to radical commitment to the Gospel of Christ.
For the transformation of all attitudes which lead to war, violence, racial hatred, and religious persecution.
For deeper devotion to Immaculate Mary, for the conversion of Atheists, hardened sinners, lapsed Catholics, and the conversion of all hearts.
For Pope Francis’ prayer intention for the month of September: “That our parishes, animated by a missionary spirit, may be places where faith is communicated and charity is seen.”
That the love of Christ, the divine physician, may bring healing to the sick and comfort to all the suffering.
For the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish, and all the poor souls in purgatory, for deceased priests and religious, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom.
O God, you know that our life in this present age is subject to suffering and need, hear the prayers of those who cry to you and receive the prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our Lord.
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