San Gennaro's blood didn't liquefy--so pray anyway, abbot says

[trotsky]

http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/san-gennaros-blood-didnt-liquefy--so-pray-anyway-abbot-says-74307/

...The blood belongs to St. Januarius, Patron of Naples and former bishop and martyr of the city.

Known in Italian as San Gennaro, his bones and a reliquary of his blood are preserved in Naples’ cathedral. He is believed to have been martyred during the infamous persecution of Christians during the rule of the Roman emperor Diocletian, who retired in 305.

The reputed miracle is locally known and accepted, though has not been the subject of official Church recognition. The liquefaction is believed to happen at least three times a year: the Saturday before the first Sunday of May, Sept. 19, which is the saint's feast day, and Dec. 16, the anniversary of the 1631 eruption of the Mount Vesuvius volcano.

During the miracle, the dried, red-colored mass confined to one side of the reliquary becomes blood that covers the entire glass. In local lore, the failure of the blood to liquefy signals war, famine, disease or other disaster.

Perhaps they should have had some tea leaves or chicken bones ready as a backup.

[atreides1]

1. tea leaves or chicken bones

Are part of rituals for other spiritual/religious practices.

[alfie]

2. Clearly San Gennaro knows about our recent election

No need for tea leaves or chicken bones. The disaster is upon us.

[trotsky]

3. Well hey, it's always good to get a second (or third) opinion...

[Act_of_Reparation]

4. So, like, six more weeks of winter?

[nil desperandum]

5. Or

if it fail to liquefy it could just be a signal the airtight seal has gone bad....

But hey these quaint rituals are all fun and games until someone ends up in a theocracy.