Posted on 09/22/2001 6:04:00 PM PDT by Cultural Jihad
Thursday September 20 7:22 AM ET
NAPLES, Italy (Reuters) - Thousands of Neapolitans crammed into the city's cathedral Wednesday to witness the liquefaction of their patron saint's blood -- a good omen for Naples and the world, according to the faithful.
After an hour of prayer, Archbishop Michele Giordano held aloft the silver and glass vial purported to contain the dried blood of Saint Gennaro and thousands craned their necks to see if the blood had indeed liquefied.
The substance usually turns to liquid twice a year -- on September 19, the saint's feast day, and on the first Saturday in May. In the past, disaster has struck when the blood has remained dry.
``This is an important sign of hope not only for the city but also for the United States following the attacks,'' Antonio Bassolino, the head of the Campania region which includes Naples, declared after the ceremony.
``Like all Neapolitans, I hoped deeply that a good sign would come quickly. It is always a very emotional moment, but this year it was particularly so, given the difficult times for the city and international events,'' he said.
Naples was struck by flash floods last week which left two people dead and more than $150 million in damage.
The ceremony, which Neapolitans revere as a miracle, was also attended by the American consul to Naples, Clyde Bishop, who leant forward and kissed the vial after it was shown the blood had liquefied.
During the prayers, Archbishop Giordano called on Saint Gennaro for protection ``for America, Italy, and the whole world,'' and asked the congregation to think particularly of those Neapolitans who live in New York.
Some Neapolitans, traditionally very superstitious, fear disaster may strike the city if the blood of the fourth-century martyr does not turn to liquid.
Disaster has struck at least five times after the blood failed to liquefy, including in November 1980 when some 3,000 people died in a massive earthquake that struck southern Italy.
Scientists have confirmed the substance inside the closed vial is blood but cannot explain why it turns to liquid.
Scientists have confirmed the substance inside the closed vial is blood but cannot explain why it turns to liquid.
Mind supplying the names of these "scientists"?
Oh well, superstition reigns. Recent events testify to the results.
Hank
A very dear little Franciscan nun friend sent a holy card of St Jude this week. I'm not sure I've heard this particular St Jude prayer before. Anyone want me to post> Or should I send to patent?
I'm not in a state of panic, but I see no reason not to add to regular prayers.
Actually, the ultimate totem is, of course, marshmallows embedded in green jello.
Actually, the ultimate totem is, of course, marshmallows embedded in green jello.
Well my family is Italian on both sides [Conservative Roman Catholic to the core]...and none of us are embarrassed by it. I believe in miracles. And I'll be seeing you on the next mormon thread.
That's a shame. Talking about the lives of saints and their place among the family of God should in no way be embarrassing. It's not as if we're talking about your special Mormon underwear. ;)
She used to make cigarettes, didn't she? My grandfather used to sell them in his drug store.
Oh yes public prophecy v. private prophecy should we even be discussing this, as it is not required by the Church. I am being sincere in the question.
Now you are going to Hell. Telling secrets of the Mormon faith. I should have put it together myself however when I saw my neighbor drive in with a pick-up truck full of diet soda (no caffine).
Btw...Mormons make nice neighbors, they always have stuff you need on hand (well...no booze of course...except Jack Mormons. But they are always bumming beers off everyone else.)
Neither of these claims are provably true.
The only evidence the "blood" is blood is from a eyeball spectroscopic measurements made in 1902 and from a similar and equally questionable measurement made in 1989. Neither measurement can tell the difference between genuine blood in a glass vial and a mixture of Ferric Chloride (FeCl3) and Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3) in a similar container. Much more sensitive measurement techniques -- such as molecular absorption, fluorescence spectrometry, and raman scattering -- exist but the Church has so far refused to allow the relic to be tested. See: Journal of Scientific Exploration, Volume 6, Pages 233-246, 1992.
The liquefication is no mystery. It is an example of thixotropic liquefaction and has been duplicated using equipment and knowledge available to pre 14th century alchemists See: Garlaschelli, L., Ramaccini, F., & Della Sala, S. (1991). Nature 353 (October 10), 507.
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