Origins
Saint Januarius was born in Naples, in the second half of the 3rd century, and was elected bishop of Benevento, where he carried out his apostolate, loved by the Christian community and also respected by pagans.
The vision
The episode, which led Januário to martyrdom, took place at the beginning of the 4th century, with the resumption of persecution against Christians. Some time ago, Januário was a good friend of Sóssio, deacon of the city of Miseno. One day, while reading the Gospel in church, he had a vision: a flame appeared over his head. Recognizing in it the symbol of his future martyrdom, Januário gave thanks to the Lord and asked for that to be his destiny.
Easter
Recognizing his destiny, the Bishop invited Sóssio to participate in the pastoral visit, which would take place in Pozzuoli, to talk about faith. The deacon set out on his way, but, during the journey, he was arrested by the guards, sent by Dragôncio, governor of Campania.
In prison, he received a visit from Januário, accompanied by the deacon Festus and the reader Desiderius: the three tried to intercede, with Sóssio, for his release. But in response, they were all condemned to be publicly torn apart by the bears. However, the news of his death sentence was not well received by the people. Therefore, fearing a revolt, the governor changed the sentence to a discreet beheading, away from the eyes of the people. Proculus, deacon of the church of Pozzuoli, and the faithful Eutychius and Accutius were also martyred for having publicly criticized the execution.
Another version of his martyrdom
Not all sources, so old, agreed with the martyrdom of Saint Januarius and, therefore, there is another hypothesis of what could probably have happened: while Januarius was heading towards Nola, the perfidious judge, Timothy, arrested him with the accusation of proselytism, which violated imperial decrees. However, the torture perpetrated against the Saint did not affect his body or his faith.
Therefore, Timothy threw him into a furnace from which, once again, Januário emerged unharmed. Anyway, he was sentenced to beheading in a place near what is called Solfatara. During his transfer, he met a beggar, who asked him for a piece of his cloak to keep as a relic: the Saint replied that he could have the entire scarf, which was tied around his neck, before the execution. Before dying, Januário placed a finger on his throat, which was also severed by the blade, along with the scarf, later preserved as a relic.
The Miracle of Blood
According to custom, on the occasion of the execution of the martyrs, a woman, Eusebia, arrived at the place of Januário’s death and collected, in two ampoules, the blood spilled by the Bishop, already in the odor of sanctity. She handed them over to the Bishop of Naples, who ordered the construction of two chapels in honor of the sacred transfer: Saint Januarius in Vomero and Saint Januarius in Antignano. His body, instead, buried in the rural area of Marciano, had a first translation, in the 5th century, when the cult of the Saint was already widespread. Saint Januarius was canonized by Sixtus V in 1586.
Relic
As for the relic of his blood, it was exhibited for the first time in 1305. However, the miracle of his blood, which seems to almost boil and return to a liquid state, remaining until the next octave, occurred, for the first time, on 17 August 1389, after a great shortage. Today, the miracle is repeated three times a year: on the first Saturday in May, in memory of the first translation; on September 19, liturgical memory of the Saint and date of his martyrdom; and on December 16, to commemorate the disastrous eruption of Vesuvius in 1631, blocked by the intercession of the Saint. The two ampoules are preserved in a silver teak, at the wish of Roberto d’Angiò, in the Chapel of the Treasury of Saint Januarius, in the Cathedral of Naples.
Way of Sanctification
Saint Januarius has been venerated since the 5th century, but his canonical confirmation only came through Pope Sixtus V in 1586.
My prayer
“Dear bishop, lead your people to the deepest mystery of miracles. Heal the sick and help those in need, just as Christ wants to do in us. May great conversions take place through your relics. Amen!”
Saint Januário, pray for us!
Other saints and blesseds celebrated on September 19
- In Synada, in Phrygia, today Cifitkasaba, in Türkiye, Saint Trophimus, martyr. († date inc.)
- In Palestine, the holy martyrs Peleus It is Nilebishops in Egypt, Elijahpresbyter, and Patermucius. († 310)
- In Tours, in Gaul Lionense, currently in France, Saint Eustochio, Bishop. († 461)
- In the monastery of Sisteron, in the territory of Langres, also in Gaul, today in France, Saint Seine, presbyter and abbot. († s. VI)
- In the territory of Bourges, in Aquitaine, also in modern-day France, Saint Mariano, hermit. († s. VI)
- In Metz, in Austrasia, in present-day France, Saint Goerico or Abão, bishop, who succeeded Saint Arnolfo, whose body was solemnly transferred to this city. († c. 642)
- In Canterbury, England, Saint Teodoro, bishop, who, being a monk from Tarsus, was ordained bishop by Pope Saint Vitalian and sent to England as an almost septuagenarian. († 690)
- In Córdoba, in Andalusia, a region of Spain, Santa Pompous, virgin and martyr. († 853)
- In Freising, in Bavaria, a region of Germany, Saint Lamberto, Bishop. († 957)
- In Buonvicino, near Cosenza, in the Calabria region of Italy, Saint Cyriac, abbot. († 1030)
- In Gap, in Provence, region of France, Santo Arnolfo, Bishop. († c. 1075)
- In Barcelona, Catalonia, region of Spain, Santa Maria de Cervello, virgin of the Order of Our Lady of Mercy. († 1290)
- In Madrid, also in Spain, Santo Afonso de Orozco, presbyter of the Order of Hermits of Saint Augustine . († 1591)
- In Seoul, Korea, Saint’s passion Carlos Hyon Song-mun, martyr. († 1846)
- In Villefranche-de-Rouergue, in the territory of Rodez, in France, Santa Maria Gulhermina Emília de Rodat, virgin. († 1852)
- In Ciempozuelos, a town near Madrid, in Spain, Blessed Jacinto Hoyuelos González, religious of the Order of Saint John of God and martyr. († 1936)
- In Benifayó, a town in the province of Valença, also in Spain, Blessed Francisca Cualladó Baixauli, virgin and martyr. († 1936)
- In Madrid, also in Spain, the butts Maria de Jesus de la Iglesia y de Varo, Maria das Dores Aguiar-Mella y Díaz It is Consolation Aguiar-Mella y Díaz, virgins of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary of the Pious Schools and martyrs. († 1936)
Source:
- Arquisp.org.br
- Roman Martyrology
- Santiebeati.it
- Vaticannews.va
– Production and editing: Melody de Paulo
– Prayer: Rafael Vitto – Community