San Gennaro, Patron Saint of Naples
“When San Gennaro’s dried
blood liquefies in the phial, the people of Naples
offer up prayers of thanks, but the miracle’s true
work is within their own hearts where freshets of faith,
of hope, and even charity run renewed.”
First held on September 19th, 1926—when large groups of immigrants from Naples settled in Lower Manhattan—the feast remains a time-honored tradition of New York City's Neapolitan community.
blood liquefies in the phial, the people of Naples
offer up prayers of thanks, but the miracle’s true
work is within their own hearts where freshets of faith,
of hope, and even charity run renewed.”
— excerpt from “Ink,” a sonnet by David Slavitt
This morning when I checked the news I was happy to learn that at 9:22 A.M. (Neapolitan time) the archbishop of Naples announced that the miracle of the blood (Miracolo del sangue) had occurred. So I hopped on the subway and made my way to Most Precious Blood Church in Manhattan’s Little Italy to give thanks and celebrate the Saint’s feast day.First held on September 19th, 1926—when large groups of immigrants from Naples settled in Lower Manhattan—the feast remains a time-honored tradition of New York City's Neapolitan community.
Thousands turned out this beautiful Sunday
afternoon to take part in the festivities
Photos by New York Scugnizzo
