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September 19: Saint Januarius, Bishop and Martyr—Optional Memorial
Died c. 304
Patron Saint of Naples, Italy and blood banks
Invoked against volcanic eruptions
Pre-Congregation canonization
Liturgical Color: Red
Quote:
Yes, true hope is only born from the Blood of Christ and blood poured out for him. There is blood which is the sign of death, but there is also blood that expresses love and life. The Blood of Jesus and the blood of the Martyrs, like that of your own beloved Patron St Januarius, is a source of new life. ~Pope Benedict XVI, 2007 homily in Naples
Reflection: The third-century theologian Tertullian famously wrote, “The more we are mown down by you, the more in number we grow; the blood of Christians is seed.” Sometimes, his phrase is translated as, “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church” (Apologeticus, L.13). There has been no time when this phrase rang truer than in the Roman Empire between the years 303 and 313. In 303 and 304, the Roman Emperor Diocletian issued a series of edicts initiating what has come to be known as the “Great Persecution.”
Though the exact reason for this persecution remains unclear, many Christians were imprisoned, tortured, and killed. Others had their properties confiscated or were sent to work in mines under harsh conditions. Among the most famous martyrs of this persecution are Saints George, Catherine of Alexandria, Agnes, Sebastian, Vincent, Pancras, Cosmas, Damian, Anastasia, Lucy, and today’s saint, Saint Januarius.
Januarius is believed to have been born into a wealthy aristocratic family in the city of Benevento, located about 150 miles southeast of Rome, via the Appian Way. Little is known for certain about Januarius’ childhood and life, aside from what was recorded centuries later in various legends. One legend states that he became a priest at the age of fifteen in Benevento and the bishop of either Benevento or Naples at twenty.
When persecutions under Emperor Diocletian began in 303 and 304, chaos ensued across the empire, including Naples. According to legend, four of Bishop Januarius’ friends were arrested: two deacons named Sosius and Proculus, and two laymen named Eutyches and Acutius. To encourage them, Bishop Januarius went to visit them in prison. However, during his visit, he too was arrested and imprisoned by Timothy, the Governor of Campania. Shortly afterward, the bishop’s deacon, Festus, and a lay lector named Desiderius were also arrested when they came to visit Bishop Januarius.
During their interrogations, each Christian boldly professed his faith. They were threatened with death if they refused to offer sacrifices to the Roman gods, but they refused. Consequently, an order was issued for them to be burned. However, when Bishop Januarius was thrown into the flames, he remained unharmed. Next, it was decreed that they be fed to wild beasts in the arena. According to one legend, the beasts became docile and refused to devour them. Ultimately, they were ordered to be beheaded. When the executioner approached, he was struck blind, but Bishop Januarius cured him in front of everyone, leading to many conversions.
After consenting to their martyrdom, all seven men were beheaded. Saint Januarius’ body was taken to Naples and buried in the principal church. Since then, many miracles have been reported by those who prayed at his tomb. It is believed that Naples was saved from volcanic eruptions from nearby Mount Vesuvius due to these miracles.
Though his heroic martyrdom is the greatest witness he could offer, God has continued to use Saint Januarius in a mysterious and ongoing way. Legend holds that, after his death, a holy woman named Eusebia collected some of his blood and stored it in two glass vials. That blood, the blood of a martyr, was later enshrined in the church next to his body. Veneration of Saint Januarius began soon after his death. At some point, an ongoing miraculous phenomenon began to occur. Every year, three times each year, his dried blood liquefies in the presence of the faithful. On some occasions, the blood fails to liquefy, which some interpret as a sign that the faithful should pray for an impending threat to the city. The first written record of the liquefaction of Saint Januarius’ blood is believed to be from 1389, as noted in the chronicle of the cleric Giovanni Diacono of Naples. Records of this annual miracle have continued ever since.
Today, the blood is enclosed in a silver reliquary containing two hermetically sealed vials. The larger one is about four inches high and two and a quarter inches in diameter. Throughout the year, the blood appears as an opaque, dark, and solid mass when viewed in the light. When turned to the side, it does not move. The first instance of liquefaction is on the Saturday before the first Sunday of May, commemorating the translation of the saint’s relics to Naples.
The second time is on September 19, the feast of Saint Januarius. The third event takes place on the anniversary of the 1631 eruption of Mount Vesuvius, December 16, when a silver bust believed to house the skull of Saint Januarius is placed on the altar, and the blood is brought out for veneration. The liquefaction usually occurs during the first two times but often fails on December 16.
Although scientists have attempted to explain this phenomenon, no one has successfully cast sufficient doubt on its miraculous nature. It remains a source of deep devotion for Catholics in Naples and continues to inspire many worldwide.
As we honor this ancient saint who continues to inspire us today, ponder the simple truth that miracles do happen. For God, miracles are easy. However, miracles should never be the foundation of our faith in God. True faith comes only from a personal encounter with the Living Lord. Ponder the depth of your own faith. Though this miracle should inspire you, look more deeply and ponder the true source of faith in your life. Seek out the voice of God as that source, spoken gently to you in your conscience. Listen to Him and allow Him to reveal Himself to you, so that God and God alone is the true source of all that you believe and all that you do.
Prayer: Saint Januarius, you laid down your life for your faith after being arrested for charitably visiting your friends in prison. Your love is inspiring, as is your courage. Please pray for me, that I will find great inspiration in your witness and seek to imitate your selflessness and courage in my own life. Saint Januarius, pray for me. Jesus, I trust in You.
Unit Leader: Bro. Dave & Sis. Tess Calces
☺Household Leader: Bro. Daniel & Sis. Dome Magno
Members:
-Bro. Joewey & Sis. Mayang Morales
-Bro. Rodel & Sis. Shirly Saludes
-Bro. Emman & Sis. Joan Leonor
☺Household Leader: Bro. Sonny & Sis. Cora Andal
Members:
-Bro. Bernie & Sis. Lorna Faustino
-Bro. Bong & Sis. Lani Mangalus
-Bro. Randy & Sis. Gina Salma
-Bro. Nonie & Sis. Josie Fajilan
☺Household Leader: Bro. Edmund & Sis. Eve Espiritu
Members:
-Bro. Bart & Sis. Kathy Fallaria
-Bro. Dan & Sis. Tess Tolentino
-Bro. Eric & Sis. Lilian Lingal
☺Household Leader: Bro. Rodel & Sis. Mhang Manuel
-Bro. Bong & Sis. Irene Austria
-Bro. Willy & sis. Milly Lathrop
-Bro. Randy & Sis. Jessa Quing-quing
-Bro. Ernie & Sis. Darmie Sojor
☺Household Leader: Bro. Cris & Sis. Nora Pineda
Our Activities:
National Shrine of Saint Jude: Legion of Mary Praesidium
MARIA SPES SINENSIUM Members :
- President: Caroline Gozun
SCOPE OF WORK:
Home to home visitation; taking and updating of the parish census; recruitment and follow up of active and auxiliary members; follow up on marriage validation, baptismal, Holy Communion and confirmation cases; hospital visitation; block rosary; participation in various parish and curia activities.
ABOUT:
The Legion of Mary
The object of the Legion of Mary is the glory of God through the holiness of its members developed by prayer and active co-operation in Mary’s and the Church’s work. The unit of the Legion of Mary is called a praesidium, which holds a weekly meeting, where prayer is intermingled with reports and discussion. Persons who wish to join the Legion must apply for membership in a Praesidium. The Legion sees as its priority the spiritual and social welfare of each individual. The members participate in the life of the parish through visitation of families, the sick, both in their homes and in hospitals and through collaboration in every apostolic and missionary undertaking sponsored by the parish. Every legionary is required to carry out a weekly apostolic work in the spirit of faith and in union with Mary.
The Legion of Mary is a lay apostolic association of Catholics who, with the sanction of the Church and under the powerful leadership of Mary Immaculate, Mediatrix of All Graces, serve the Church and their neighbour on a voluntary basis in about 170 countries. The first meeting of the Legion of Mary took place in Myra House, Francis Street, Dublin, Ireland, on 7 September, 1921. This meeting was to have very beneficial consequences for the mission of the Catholic Church and, in a special way, for millions of members of Christ’s lay faithful who would serve in the Legion and for those who would be served by the legionary apostolate. Many persons outside the Catholic Church would also benefit from that apostolate. With the approval and support of the Popes and a great many Bishops, Priests and Religious, as well as the prayers and efforts of legionaries, the Legion, by the grace of God, has grown into a worldwide organisation with several million members.
Drawing its inspiration from the True Devotion to Mary, as taught by St. Louis Marie de Montfort, and which had a profound influence on the Founder of the Legion, the Servant of God, Frank Duff, the Legion is at the disposal of the Bishops and Priests for use in the mission of the Church. While essentially a lay association, legionaries look for spiritual and apostolic formation to priests and religious, who, as Legion Spiritual Directors, hold an honoured place in the Legion system. The Legion requires ecclesiastical approval to work in a diocese or parish. Loyalty to the Magisterium and to Ecclesiastical Authority is a basic legionary principle. The Legion aims to bring Mary to the world as the infallible means of winning the world to Jesus and legionary service is based on the doctrine of the Mystical Body of Christ so that in their fellow members and in those they serve, legionaries seek to have the Person of our Lord once again seen and served by Mary, his Mother.
The general and essential means by which the Legion of Mary is to effect its object is personal service acting under the influence of the Holy Spirit, having Divine Grace as its moving principle and support, and the glory of God and the salvation of souls as its final end and purpose. Evangelisation, especially the seeking of conversions to the Church, should be a priority for the Legion. Through the visitation of homes and by other means, the Legion must, as a first principle, set out to establish a contact of some sort with every soul everywhere. Seeing and serving Christ in the sick and marginalised is another vital part of the legionary apostolate. While not engaging in the giving of material relief, legionaries will often find opportunities to do works of service for the needy.
The basic unit of the Legion is called a praesidium, which is normally based in a parish. A parish may have more than one praesidium. To be an active legionary it is necessary to apply for membership in a praesidium, which holds a weekly meeting and allocates a weekly apostolic task to the members, who generally work in pairs. After a successful period of probation, members are called to make the Legionary Promise (this is only applicable for members over 18 years) which is directed to the Holy Spirit. Realising the necessity for a strong support of prayer, the Legion has Auxiliary members, who associate themselves with the Legion by undertaking a service of prayer in its name. The administration of the Legion is carried out through its various councils at local, regional and national level. The central council, the Concilium Legionis Mariae, meets monthly in Dublin.
The Cause for Beatification has been introduced for three legionaries: The Servant of God, Frank Duff (1889-1980), Founder of the Legion, who attended the Second Vatican Council as a Lay Observer; Venerable Edel Quinn (1907-1944), Legion Envoy to East Africa; and the Servant of God, Alfie Lambe (1932-1959), Legion Envoy to South America.