September 19th - St. Januarius of the Miracle, Martyr

[Weedy]

September 19th - St. Januarius of the Miracle, Martyr
(c., A.D. 305)

Naples, Italy, venerates as a protector the martyr Januarius, a native
of the vicinity, who was bishop, it is said, of Benevento. There is a
portrait of him, wearing a halo, in the ancient Neapolitan Catacomb of
St. Januarius.

Very little is known of the life and death of this churchman. The
fullest lives, of a later period and of small historical value,
represent him as a victim, with several other clergy and two laymen,
of the persecution of Roman Emperor Diocletian. Cast to the wild
beasts, they escaped death in the arena because the animals refused to
attack them. They were then beheaded. Their relics now repose in the
cathedral of Naples, which bears the name of Januarius: “San Gennaro”.
Neapolitans revere him especially as a protector against eruptions of
Mount Vesuvius.

Far more is known about the alleged blood of St. Januarius than about
the martyr himself. Since at least A.D. 1389, this small mass of dark
stuff in a transparent glass vial liquefies several days each year. It
is indeed a puzzling phenomenon.

The liquefaction takes place on the feast of San Gennaro (September
19) and during the eight succeeding days; also on the feast of the
transfer of the saint’s relics (Saturday before the first Sunday of
May) and during its octave; and on December 16, the anniversary of
Naples’ escape from the eruption of Vesuvius in 1631. Often, however,
nothing happens on December 16.

The days of liquefaction are exciting ones in Naples. The faithful jam
the cathedral, where they are led in prayer by 15 aged poor women
called the “Aunts of San Gennaro”. A priest sets forth the skull of
the saint enshrined in a silver bust, and brings the vial of the
blood, sealed in a glass-windowed reliquary, close to the skull.
Although the moments that follow can be dramatic, the action of the
priest is very simple. He merely turns the vial several times until
its dark contents become liquid–usually bright, and even bubbly. The
change happens quickly on some days, slowly on others, but temperature
has nothing to do with it. Especially remarkable is the fact that when
liquefied, the blood increases in volume and weight, counter to the
laws of physics. All this occurs in the sight of the spectators. (I
myself witnessed it clearly many years ago,) Furthermore, at the same
time this is going on in the cathedral, the “blood stains” on a block
of basalt near the site of the saint’s martyrdom grow vividly red.

One of the difficulties raised against the miraculous nature of the
phenomenon is that the blood of several other saints, most of them in
this same part of Italy, are known to undergo the same type of change.
But there is more than one indication that we are not dealing here
with a natural happening. In the first place, there is absolutely no
evidence of deceit on the part of those in charge. Secondly, a number
of scientists, skeptics as well as believers, have failed after many
experiments to discover a scientific explanation.

As recently as 1988 a team of scientists was called in by Cardinal
Michael Giordano, the archbishop of Naples, to have another go at it.
In publishing the conclusions of its experiments, the chairman,
Professor Pierluigi Bollone (who is also president of the
International Center for study of the Shroud of Turin), declared that
spectographic photos of the whole process proved definitely that the
liquid was arterial human blood. “It’s a real miracle,” he said.

Cardinal Giordano’s announcement of the team’s consensus was more
cautionary. “The official church allows the veneration of relics, but
it has never issued a judgment–and never will–on the miraculous
character of the liquefaction. The only miracles on which our faith is
based are those of the Gospel.”

Yes, miracles are basically for the unbelieving. Those who believe can
welcome them as confirmations of faith, but they do not need them.

See more at:
http://catholicharboroffaithandmorals.com/St.%20Januarius%20and%20St.%20Cyprian.html


Saint Quote:
He who does not acquire the love of God will scarcely persevere in the
grace of God, for it is very difficult to renounce sin merely through
fear of chastisement.
-St. Alphonsus Liguori

Bible Quote:
Dear friends, don't be surprised at the fiery trials you are going
through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be
very glad because these trials will make you partners with Christ in
his suffering, and afterward you will have the wonderful joy of
sharing his glory when it is displayed to all the world. (1 Peter
4:12-13)


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Three prayers, from the Raccolta, for times of trial:

Regard, O Lord, our humility and forsake us not in the time
of tribulation

Despise not, Almighty God, Thy people who cry out to Thee
in their affliction, but for the glory of Thy Name, being
appeased, assist those who are in tribulation. Through Christ
our Lord. Amen.

O God, our refuge and our strength, mercifully regard Thy
people who cry to Thee, and turn away the scourges of Thy
anger, which we justly deserve for our sins. Through Christ
our Lord. Amen.