2023-09-19 02:00:00
The blood of San Gennaro becomes liquid on three occasions throughout the year: on the day that commemorates the transfer of his remains to Naples (the Saturday before the first Sunday in May); the day of his liturgical feast (every September 19); and the day on which his devotees thank him for his intercession to lessen the effects of the eruption of the Vesuvius volcano, which occurred on December 16, 1631.
On each of these three days, the bishop of the city, or a priest who proceeds in his name, presents the reliquary with the vial of blood, standing in front of the urn containing the skull of the saint. The act is always carried out in the presence of the faithful. After a period of time, whoever presides over the liturgy raises the reliquary, turns it upside down and, at that moment, the mass of blood becomes liquid. Then the celebrant makes the announcement: “The miracle has happened!”
If liquefaction does not occur
When the blood does not liquefy on the indicated days, Neapolitans think that it is a sign of bad omen – a possible misfortune or calamity of great proportions.
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