St. Januarius' Blood Liquifies on His Feast Day in Italy

The blood of St. Januairus liquified on his Sept. 19, 2022 feast in Naples, Italy.

The annual miracle occurred at 9:26 a.m. local time at Naples’ Cathedral of the Assumption of Mary during the celebratory Mass honoring St. Januarius, the city’s patron saint.

Approximately 2,000 people in attendance cheered and applauded as Naples Archbishop Domenico Battaglia raised the ampoule containing the martyr’s liquified blood.

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The blood remains solid throughout the year, and potentially liquifies three times: the Saturday before the first Sunday of May (the celebration of his relics arriving at the Cathedral), on the saint’s Sept. 19 feast, and on Dec. 16, the anniversary of Naples’ preservation from the 1631 Mount Vesuvius volcanic eruption.

St. Januarius was a third-century bishop known for his bravery in defending his flock and was martyred during the reign of Emperor Diocletian.

While the Church does not officially recognize the miracle, locals consider it a “good sign” for the city of Naples.

The city believes the blood’s failure to liquify signals a warning for upcoming tragedy, famine, or disaster.

However, Archbishop Battaglia discouraged superstition regarding the annual miracle during Monday’s homily.

“It matters little, my brothers and sisters, whether the blood liquefies or not; let us never reduce this celebration to an oracle to be consulted,” he said.

“Believe me, what really matters to the Lord, what our bishop and martyr Januarius strongly asks of us, is the daily commitment to stake on love.”