Liquefying blood relics
Christian relics reported to undergo periodic liquefaction
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Liquefying blood relics are Christian relics, primarily in Campania, Italy, that are reported to undergo periodic transitions from an apparently solid state to a liquid state during religious observances or on particular feast days.[1] An example is the relic traditionally identified as the blood of Januarius in Naples, similar phenomena have been reported for relics associated with Patricia of Naples, Pantaleon, and Lawrence of Rome.
| Liquefying blood relics | |
|---|---|
Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe during the rite of the liquefaction of the blood of Januarius. | |
| Information | |
| Type | Miracle |
| Denomination | Catholic |
| Location | |
| Country | Italy |
Overview
Reports of liquefying blood relics are concentrated in southern Italy, especially in Campania. The phenomenon has attracted attention from religious authorities, historians, and chemists. Scholarly discussions have examined both the devotional significance of the relics and possible natural explanations for the reported liquefactions.[2]
Major relics
Januarius
According to tradition, Januarius's blood is preserved in two sealed ampoules and liquefies during ceremonies held at Naples Cathedral. The event has been documented since the Middle Ages and has become a major element of Neapolitan religious culture.[2][3]
Thousands of people assemble to witness this event in Naples Cathedral three times a year: on 19 September (Saint Januarius's Day, commemorating his martyrdom), 16 December (celebrating his patronage of Naples and its archdiocese), and the Saturday before the first Sunday of May (commemorating the reunification of his relics).[4]
While the Catholic Church has always supported the celebrations, it has never formulated an official statement on the phenomenon and maintains a neutral stance about scientific investigations.[5]
Patricia of Naples
According to local tradition, a vial containing the blood of Patricia of Naples is preserved at the Monastery of Saint Gregory Armeno in Naples. The blood is said to liquefy periodically.[6]
Pantaleon
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A relic associated with Saint Pantaleon is preserved in Ravello. The substance contained in the relic is reported to liquefy annually and has long been compared with the blood relic of Saint Januarius.
Alphonsus Liguori wrote:
At Ravello, a city in the kingdom of Naples, there is a vial of his blood, which becomes blood every year [on his feastday], and may be seen in this state interspersed with the milk, as I, the author of this work, have seen it.[7]
Lawrence of Rome
A relic venerated as the blood of Saint Lawrence is preserved in Amaseno. According to local tradition, the relic liquefies during celebrations connected with the saint's feast day.[8]
Scientific explanations
Natural explanations have been proposed and demonstrated for such liquefaction. These include:
- Thixotropy, in which a gel-like substance becomes fluid when agitated.[9] This is doable using the period's materials and techniques.[1]
- Temperature-dependent melting of low-melting compounds.[10]
Other saints' blood cults have been discontinued since the 16th century, which skeptic James Randi takes as evidence that local artisans or alchemists had a secret recipe for manufacturing this type of relic.[11]
Church authorities have been reluctant to allow researchers to investigate.[1]
Historical study
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The liquefaction of blood relics has been discussed by historians of religion and historians of science. Francesco Paolo de Ceglia has argued that debates surrounding the blood of Saint Januarius reflected broader developments in early modern European thought regarding miracles and natural philosophy.[2] Helen Hills has examined the role of the relic of Saint Januarius within the religious and artistic culture of Naples.[3]
Usage in literature
Voltaire used January's liquefying blood relic as an example when writing that while the unthinking masses will blindly follow both truth and folly alike, presenting absurd superstitions as religious fact to critical thinkers is dangerous, as it causes them to realize the falsehood, and reject faith entirely.[12]
Alexandre Dumas argued that if it is a trickery, it being kept secret for centuries would be more miraculous than the miracle itself.[13]
Sigmund Freud used an allusion to the miracle of the liquefaction of Saint Januarius's blood to complete one of his analyses.[14]