Small miracles happen every day, or not so much "small," as "common." Every hour babies are born for example. Yet still, tempted as we are to forget how miraculous this is, it is good that we are provided with other miracles, less common ones. Today marks one such.
Naples, Sep. 20, 2005 (CNA) - Clergy, faithful, and even civic leaders were on hand Monday morning at Naplesâ Cathedral to witness the centuries old occurrence--still unexplainable by scientists--of the liquefaction of martyr St. Januariusâ blood.
Thousands watched as Cardinal Michele Giordano announced the occurrence of the miracle at 7:56 GMT and held up a phial of the usually solid--now liquefied blood of the cityâs patron Saint.
Yesterdayâs occurrence marked the 1,700 year anniversary of St. Januariusâ martyrdom. He was beheaded by the Roman emperor Diocletian in 305 for refusing to bow down to his persecutors.
The miracle is said to occur three times throughout the year--something which many locals see as a sign of Godâs closeness with the city.
On five particular occasions, the blood has failed to liquefy and each was shortly followed with disaster.
In 1527, for example, tens of thousands died from the plague, and in 1980, 3,000 people were killed in an earthquake which devastated much of southern Italy.
Naples Mayor Rosa Russo Jervolino, who was on hand to witness the event, is quoted in ANSA news saying that the miracle was "a sign that San Gennaro (St. Januarius) is still protecting our city. It was also a strong sign of hope and, I'd say, encouragement for everyone to work for the common good."
Scientists who have confirmed that the phials do indeed contain human blood have been unable--for 1,700 years--to explain the thrice yearly phenomenon.[1]
I wonder what those who would say that we are beyond the "age of miracles" would say of this. Would they have some explanation for it? Would they be willing to consider it? Or would they brusquely change the topic (if only slightly) and attempt to answer some other question?
For it seems clear to me that the simplest explanation for human blood liquefying several times a year every year for hundreds of years must be divine intervention. While naturally to apply Occam's Razor here would be to render it useless, it still stands to reason that here we see evidence of something beyond the laws of nature.
[1] Catholic News Agency, "Thousands witness annual Italian miracle of St. Januarius" Catholic News Agency (online) 2005-09-20. http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=4926