The phenomenon of the liquefaction of St. Gennaro’s Blood, which occurs three times a year, has a close link to the history of Naples.

Italy – Naples (16/09/2021 15:28, Gaudium Press) On September 18, Archbishop Domenico Battaglia of Naples will celebrate the feast of St. Gennaro. The celebration will begin with the lighting of the votive lamp on the Saint’s relics, and the recitation of Vespers presided by the prelate at the Cathedral.

Liturgical memory of St. Gennaro

On September 19, liturgical memory of St. Gennaro, the Cathedral opens  to the public from 8:00 am. to 9:00 pm. At 10:00 pm, Bishop Battaglia will go to the Chapel of the Treasury to take the ampoules with the Saint’s Blood. Then he will preside over a solemn Holy Mass, during which, if the miracle of the liquefaction of the Blood occurs, he will announce it to those present.

Veneration of the faithful

At the end of the celebration, before the final blessing, the Archbishop of Naples will walk through the central nave of the Cathedral, carrying the vial with St. Gennaro’s Blood for the veneration of the faithful. On this day, Masses are scheduled at 12:30 pm, 5 pm, and 6:30 pm.

Celebration on the octave of Thanksgiving

From September 20 until the Octave of Thanksgiving, Holy Mass will be celebrated daily at 9 am in the Treasure Chapel. At the end of the celebration, the vial with the Blood of St. Gennaro is exposed to the veneration of the Faithful until 12:30 pm. Prayer will resume from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm with the celebration of another Holy Mass.

The miracle of the liquefaction

The liquefaction of St. Gennaro’s Blood occurs three times a year: the Saturday before the first Sunday in May, on the feast of the arrival of the Saint’s remains to Naples; on September 19, his liturgical feast; and on December 16, when the city commemorates St. Gennaro’s intercession of 1631. In that year, the Saint protected Naples from the eruptions of the nearby volcano, the Vesuvius. (EPC)

Compiled by Gustavo Kralj