The blood of St. Januarius liquefied on September 19, his feast day, in the repetition of a familiar miracle in Naples.

St. Januarius, who was martyred during the persecutions of Diocletian, is the patron saint of Naples. A vial of his blood, preserved by the faithful since the 4th century, regularly turns into liquid form on his feast day. Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe of Naples, who presided at a traditional ceremony in the cathedral, told a large congregation that the miracle had been repeated.

“St. Januarius is alive in his blood,” said Cardinal Sepe. “And he loves Naples.”

Cardinal Sepe said that there would “soon be an announcement that will shake the cathedral.” Il Mattino, a leading local newspaper, speculated that Cardinal Sepe will soon announce a papal visit to Naples.

Many residents of Naples believe that if the saint’s blood does not turn to liquid form, it is a sign that some tragedy will befall the city. The miracle did not occur in 1980, when an earthquake south of Naples caused over 2,500 deaths.

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