Immersed in Naples's intense atmosphere, there is a phenomenon that has captivated the attention of believers, scientists, and the curious for centuries: the “miracle” of Saint Januarius's blood. An extraordinary event that continues to recur, defying conventional explanations and fostering a unique bond between the city and its patron saint.
What do we know about the phenomenon?
At the center of the mystery are two ampoules kept in Naples Cathedral. The larger one, with a flattened elliptical shape, contains about 60% of a clot that liquefies on certain occasions. Tradition and documents attest that this event occurs (almost always) three times a year:
• The Saturday before the first Sunday in May, commemorating the transfer of the saint's relics.
• September 19, the anniversary of his martyrdom.
• December 16, in memory of the terrible eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 1631, which stopped after the procession bearing the saint's insignia.
Liquefaction is a moment of great anticipation and trepidation for Neapolitans. If the blood liquefies, it is considered a good omen; if it does not, many interpret it as a negative omen.
The observations that remain unanswered
What makes the phenomenon fascinating and complex is the elusive nature of liquefaction. Sources describe a process in which a substance initially solid becomes indisputably liquid. In addition:
Its color changes: it ranges from bright red to dark or yellowish.
Its volume varies: sometimes it seems to fill the entire container, while at other times it occupies less space.
• Its weight and viscosity change.
• The time required for liquefaction varies: from instantaneous to minutes, hours, or even an entire day.
• Sometimes, the solidification is so rapid that the blood remains at a diagonal angle.
• The phenomenon occurs with or without a crowd, in cold or hot weather, on fixed or variable dates.
These observations lead scholars to declare that the phenomenon defies the fundamental laws of physics.
Attempts at a “natural” explanation and why they are unconvincing
Faced with such an enigmatic event, numerous explanations have been proposed over the centuries. However, the sources indicate that none of them has been able to provide a convincing interpretation. Let us examine some of the hypotheses considered and refuted in the sources:
1. Temperature. It was thought that heat could be the cause, partly because candles used to be kept near the ampoules, though they have now been replaced by a battery. However, the crucial observation is that heat does not liquefy the blood; on the contrary, it hardens it. Moreover, the phenomenon occurs both in summer and winter.
2. The crowd’s psychological tension. This hypothesis suggests that the collective energy of the faithful may influence the blood. Reality, however, disproves it: the blood has liquefied even in the presence of only a few people or has been found already liquid when the safe was opened. Conversely, it has remained solid for days despite the crowd’s utmost psychological tension and intense prayers in the cathedral.
3. An unknown substance. Some have hypothesized that the ampoules contain a special substance, perhaps a lost formula. However, spectrographic analysis has shown that the contents are undoubtedly blood, and nothing else. The idea of a medieval addition of some substance conflicts with archaeological research attesting to the antiquity of the ampoules and their impenetrable seal.
4. A thixotropic compound. The sources mention the hypothesis that the blood could be a thixotropic compound that changes state when agitated. However, this explanation must account for all the observations reported in the sources: changes in volume, color, viscosity, weight, and timing, as well as the fact that it sometimes does not liquefy at all.
The mystery persists and the scientific challenge continues
Despite the efforts, the phenomenon of Saint Januarius remains a unicum. The most thorough scientific studies are made difficult by the fact that the ampoules are sealed with extremely hard mastic. Some scholars have suggested making a tiny hole with a diamond-tipped drill or a laser to extract a drop, but the risk of breaking containers that are about fifteen centuries old is high. The sources conclude that, even without further investigation, the phenomenon conflicts with all the fundamental laws of physics and defies every law of nature and every explanation that does not refer to the supernatural. As one scholar, Prof. Gastone Lambertini, summarizes, “nothing holds up; everything falls apart in the face of this phenomenon, which can be explained only by the believer in the fervor of their faith.”
More than a miracle: a living sign
In an increasingly rational and technological world, the miracle of Saint Januarius remains a powerful symbol. For the Archbishop of Naples, it is not an oracle or horoscope for predicting the future. Rather, it is a “road sign,” a “pointing finger that refers to the need... to follow the Gospel of Christ in a radical way.”
What remains certain is that the blood of Saint Januarius continues to unite a community and offer a moment for reflection on mystery and the ability to believe. It is, as one scholar described it, “a clot that lives and breathes,” a sign of eternal life and resurrection.
What do you think of this fascinating Neapolitan mystery? Are you more inclined toward the scientific explanation (still to be found) or the explanation based on faith? Let us know in the comments!
