The liquified blood of Saint Januarius Hello all, Happy feast day to all born, baptized and married today Happy feast day to all Deacons, Seminarians, Priests, Bishops, Monks, Nuns, Religious Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus. Happy feast day to all named Januarius and parents of all named Januarius Happy feast day to all Catholic Missionaries Happy feast day to all martyrs Today (September 19) marks the liturgical memorial of Saint Januarius He is also known as Saint Gennaro He was born c. 3rd century in Benevento or Naples, Campania, Roman Empire He was the Catholic Bishop of Naples, Italy (aged 20) He was a good friend Juliana of Nicomedia and Saint Sossius whom he met during his priestly studies. During the 2 year-long persecution of Christians by Emperor Diocletian, it is reported that Saint Januarius hid his fellow Christians and prevented them from being caught. Unfortunately, while visiting Saint Sossius in jail, Saint Januarius too was arrested. Saint Januarius and his colleagues were condemned to be thrown to wild beasts in the Flavian Amphitheater at Pozzuoli, but the sentence was changed due to fear of public disturbances, and they were instead beheaded at the Solfatara crater near Pozzuoli. Other legends state either that the wild beasts refused to eat them, or that he was thrown into a furnace but came out unscathed. Saint Januarius was martyred in the year 305 in Pozzuoli, Campania, Italy Reports concludes that he was beheaded with his Companions, at Pozzuoli in A.D. 305 They were beheaded by Emperor Diocletian for refusing to worship pagan idols. His relics were transferred by order of Saint Severus, Bishop of Naples, to the Neapolitan catacombs In the early tenth century the body was moved to Beneventum by Sico, prince of Benevento, with the head remaining in Naples. Subsequently, during the turmoil at the time of Frederick Barbarossa, his body was moved again, this time to the Abbey of Montevergine where it was rediscovered in 1480 At the instigation of Cardinal Oliviero Carafa, his body was finally transferred in 1497 to Naples, where he is the citys patron saint. Cardinal Carafa commissioned a richly decorated crypt, the Succorpo, beneath the cathedral to house the reunited body and head properly. The Succorpo was finished in 1506 and is considered one of the prominent monuments of the High Renaissance in the city. Saint Januarius is famous for the reputed miracle of the annual liquefaction of his blood, which, according to legend, was saved by a woman called Eusebia just after the saints death. Thousands of people assemble to witness this event in Naples Cathedral three times a year: on September 19 (Saint Januarius day, to commemorate his martyrdom), on December 16 (to celebrate his patronage of both Naples and of the archdiocese), and on the Saturday before the first Sunday of May (to commemorate the reunification of his relics) Saint Januarius’ blood is kept in two vials inside the reliquary which is topped by a crown and a cross. When the Catholic Bishop takes the vial to the Altar that holds the Saints head, the people, who gather by the thousands, pray that the blood becomes liquid once again, and sometimes the blood even boils. When the miracle takes place, the officiant proclaims, Il miracolo é fatto! and waves a white handkerchief. Then a Te Deum is sung and the reliquary is taken to the altar rail so the faithful can kiss the vial. This miracle takes place on the first Saturday before the first Sunday of May (and during the 8 days that follow), on his Feast (and during the octave of his Feast), and, sometimes, on December 16. Because he is the Patron Saint of Napoli, he is dear to the Southern Italian people, and in New York City, where theres a large Italian American population, theres a huge Saint Januarius celebration in Little Italy. Saint Januarius is the patron saint of Naples, where the faithful gather three times a year in Naples Cathedral to witness the alleged liquefaction of what is claimed to be a sample of his blood kept in a sealed glass ampoule. He is also the Patron Saint of blood banks He is the Patron Saint against volcanic eruptions ------------------------------------------ Let us pray that by the works, spiritual direction, spiritual maturity, intercession and martyrdom of Saint Januarius, we may in this group find the spiritual motivation to win our souls for God. Amen Summary of the life history of Saint Januarius can be viewed by clicking the photo of the Martyr in our groups photo section. Saint of the day, would be communicated to you as promptly and consistently as humanly possible, by Gods grace. May we all in this group and beyond this group, Christians and non Christians alike, Catholics and non Catholics alike, be saved from the fires of hell and lifted up into heaven after our stay here on this exile. Amen May our Lord Jesus Christ, through the intercession of Saint Januarius and all other Saints and Martyrs before and after him, through Gods Divine Mercy strengthen our souls, open out the way for us all, and above all, intoxicate us with HIS love. Amen May Christ make us into blazing fires to enkindle the earth with the heavenly fire HE brought us. Amen Jesus we love you, all we have is yours, yours we are and yours we want to be, please do with us whatever you will. Amen Jesus, Mary we love you, please save our souls. Amen God bless you and grant your heart’s desire. Amen Saint Januarius, pray for us. Amen For a brief on our Saint of today, please click the link below: https://youtube/watch?v=zoOfffuQ5xg
Posted on: Fri, 19 Sep 2014 14:37:09 +0000