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New Zealand Tablet, Volume XX, Issue 12, 8 January 1892, Page 2

On the feast of St J«nuarius, observed with all the costomary solemnity at Naples on September 19, an imme°»o crowd gathered in the cathedral and in the chapel of the treasury containing the reliquary with the blood of that Saint. Amongst those assembled oa the occasion were many Germane, and a number of French pilgrims, mostly priests. At 947 an officer of artillery and two soldiers ascended to the terrace of the cathedral furnished with a red flag to announce that the miracle of the liquefaction of the blood of St Jaouarius bad taken place, in order that the cannon in the guardship of the port might be fired bo as to let the news be known to the city. Three-quarters of an hour after the usual prayers the miracle took place, and a prolonged cry of joy bnrst from the lips of tha vast crown assembled io the ca'hedra 1 . It is impossible to describe in adequate terms the enthusiasm wtica this event produces in the minds of the impressionable Neapolitans. The prayers are so fervent that one would think the people sought to constrain Heaven to grant them the satisfaction of witneising the miracle. And when it does occur, af er a longer or shorter interval, there is a burst of thanksgiving which is exceedingly touching to listen to ; tiny birds are let loose from cages and fly through the vast building — a sign of joy and freedom — a brass band plays music of most cheerful character, and the people throng to the altar to see with their own eyei the liquefied blood flowing red in the email phials which contain it.