The blood relic of St. Januarius, the patron saint of Naples, liquefied once again on Dec. 16 during a liturgical celebration in the southern Italian city, continuing a centuries-old tradition closely watched by the faithful.
According to Catholic News Agency, the Archdiocese of Naples confirmed that the liquefaction occurred following Mass in the Royal Chapel of the Treasure of St. Januarius. Church officials reported that “at 9:13 a.m. local time, the blood already appeared semi-liquid,” and that “at 10:05 a.m., the complete liquefaction was announced,” according to the archdiocese.
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Catholic News Agency reported that the formal announcement of the miracle was made by Monsignor Vincenzo De Gregorio, abbot of the Chapel of the Treasure of St. Januarius. After the blood liquefied, the phial containing the relic was carried in procession so that those present could see it.
The Dec. 16 observance is one of three annual dates traditionally associated with the phenomenon, Catholic News Agency noted. The date commemorates the 1631 eruption of Mount Vesuvius, when the people of Naples prayed for the intercession of St. Januarius as lava threatened the city. According to the archdiocese, the faithful at that time “requested and obtained the miraculous intervention of St. Januarius to prevent the lava from engulfing the city.”
Catholic News Agency also explained that the miracle is typically observed on two additional occasions each year: Sept. 19, marking the anniversary of the saint’s martyrdom, and the Saturday before the first Sunday of May, commemorating the transfer of his remains to Naples.
While many Neapolitans have historically viewed a failure of the blood to liquefy as a troubling sign — as occurred on Dec. 16, 2020 — Church leaders have repeatedly urged Catholics to keep their focus on faith and charity rather than physical manifestations alone, according to Catholic News Agency.
In a related reflection reported by Catholic News Agency, Cardinal Domenico Battaglia, Archbishop of Naples, cautioned the faithful on Sept. 19, 2024, against placing their hope in visible signs rather than in Christ. “I implore you, we should not worry about whether the blood of this relic liquefies or not,” the cardinal said, “but rather we should worry about whether the blood of the dispossessed, the marginalized, the least fortunate, and the innocent is flowing in our streets and in our world.”
The cardinal added that “the blood of Bishop Januarius… always points to the blood of Christ, both the blood of Christ himself and the blood of the poor and the least fortunate in whom Christ lives,” underscoring the spiritual meaning the Church associates with the long-venerated devotion.
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