In a centuries-old ritual that draws global attention, the dried blood of Saint Januarius miraculously liquefied in Naples on Tuesday, an event devout Catholics interpret as a powerful omen of protection for the city.
The Miracle Unfolds in the Cathedral
Crowds gathered with bated breath at the Duomo di Santa Maria Assunta in Naples, Italy, for the annual presentation of the saint's relics. The ceremony centres on two sealed glass vials containing a substance believed to be the blood of St Januarius, a bishop martyred in 305 AD.
Archbishop Domenico Battaglia of Naples reported the progression of the event. "At 9:13am local time, the blood already appeared semi-liquid. At 10:05am, the complete liquefaction was announced," he stated. During this transformation, the reddish dried mass clinging to the vial suddenly turns into a deep red liquid, spreading across the glass.
A History Steeped in Faith and Foreboding
The ritual, with the first recorded instance dating to 1383, is performed on three feast days each year. The Church and local believers see the liquefaction as a sign of the saint's favour and a protective blessing for Naples. Conversely, when the blood remains solid, it has historically been viewed with apprehension.
The substance has notably failed to liquefy during several major crises, including:
- The outbreak of World War II in 1939
- The Nazi occupation in 1943
- The devastating 1980 Irpinia earthquake
- More recently in 2016 and 2020
In his homily, Archbishop Battaglia connected the event to divine love but cautioned against superstition. "We do not have to worry if the blood of this relic does not liquefy, but we do have to worry if it is the blood of the downtrodden, the marginalized, and the poor that flows through our streets," he said.
Science, Faith, and Enduring Mystery
While for the faithful the event is a clear miracle, scientists have long sought alternative explanations. The phenomenon is described as unpredictable, sometimes taking hours or days, and on rare occasions failing entirely.
Analyses over the years have yielded inconclusive results. Spectroscopic studies in 1902 and 1989 detected signs of blood. An experiment in 1991 by the Italian Committee for the Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal (CICAP) successfully recreated a similar effect using a thixotropic substance—a gel that liquefies when agitated.
A 2024 study by Professor Giovanni Fazio of the University of Messina concluded there is no definitive proof the vials contain blood, but emphasised that faith and tradition remain central. Further scientific study is limited as the relic is kept in a secure vault, only removed for veneration.
According to legend, Januarius was beheaded after surviving being thrown to bears, and his blood was brought to Naples, where he is revered as the city's patron protector. The liquefied blood will remain on display for eight days, allowing worshippers to venerate it, before being returned to its chapel until the next feast day.
