Saint Januarius

Also known as San Gennaro

Feast day September 19

Januarius lived in the fourth century.

He was born either in Benevento or Naples, Italy.

He was the bishop of Benevento when Diocletian's persecution began.

The people of Naples have claimed a special love for and devotion to Bishop Januarius.

He is popularly called "San Gennaro."

According to common belief, San Gennaro learned that some Christian deacons had been put in prison for their faith.

The bishop was a gentle, compassionate man.

He truly cared about his people and went to the prison to visit them.

The people of Naples remember San Gennaro for another special reason: his martyr's blood was preserved centuries ago in a vial, which is preserved in the Cathedral of Naples.

This relic is exposed to the public on various occasions during the year, when, after an interval of time it liquefies; if it fails to do so then it is considered a indication of ill-fortune for the city.

Gennaro risked the wrath of local pagan officials by visiting the deacons Sosso and Proculo and the laymen Eutichete and Acuzio while they were in jail.

The warden observed this stranger trying to comfort the Christian prisoners and, naturally, concluded that he must be Christian.

Therefore, he too must be imprisoned, and he was brought before Timotheus, governor of Campania.

Subsequently Gennaro underwent various forms of torture, without wavering in his resolution to remain loyal to Christ.

Firstly he was cast head-first into a raging furnace.

However he passed through it completely unharmed.

Next he was thrown to a group of wild lions.

Yet the lions became tame and laid themselves in submission at his feet.

Timotheus was then struck blind.

Then Timotheus was healed through the intercession of San Gennaro.

Many thousands of men were said to be converted as a result of this event. However Timotheus just got angrier and sentenced Gennaro to be beheaded.

It is said the saint held his head up high until the very end.

Legend has it that San Gennaro's body and severed head, still dripping with blood, were picked up by an old man who wrapped them carefully in a cloth.

A holy woman mopped up the saint's blood with a sponge and filled some vials with it.

The body was ultimately removed to Naples by the inhabitants of Naples.

The relic became very famous for its miracles, especially in counteracting the more dangerous eruptions of Vesuvius.

This phenomenon, which has been recorded for the past five hundred years, has been carefully observed and no satisfactory rational explanation has been produced to discount the miraculous nature of the liquefaction. The blood has become dark and dry. But at certain times of the year, the blood liquefies. It becomes red, sometimes bright red. At times, it even bubbles.

The special case containing the vial of blood is honored publicly on September 19 (the feast of San Gennaro), within the octave (or eight days after the feast), and also in May and December.

The liquefied blood has been seen and honored since the thirteenth century.

We can ask San Gennaro to give us loving, passionate hearts so that we can bring joy and comfort to the people around us as he did.

 

Prayer to San Gennaro

O great Saint Gennaro, valiant athlete of Jesus Christ and patron of Catholic Naples, we have recourse to your powerful intercession.

With grateful hearts we acknowledge your constant readiness to help your fellow citizens.

You have protected them from the ravages of Vesuvius in eruption.

You have miraculously saved them from plague, earthquake, famine, and other disasters, which they firmly believe have been averted through your power with God.

The continuing wonder of the liquefaction of your blood is another striking proof of your care and concern for the people of Naples.

You are aware of our needs and you assist us in the hardships we encounter along life's way.

With the assurance of being heard, we implore you to obtain God's mercy for us. Protect your city Naples from the scourge of spreading disbelief.

Free us from the evils and dangers that threaten us on every side.

May the faith for which you sacrificed your life produce in our midst, through your prayers, the good works which the Lord our God can rightfully demand from His servants.

Amen.

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