Catholic Radio Dramas

For You I Am a Bishop, With You I Am a Christian

Saint Januarius, Bishop and Martyr (d. 305) *See below story of the miracle

From a Sermon by Saint Augustine, Bishop (354-430)

For You I Am a Bishop, With You I Am a Christian

Narrated by Frank Dugan, Huntington Beach, California

The day I became a bishop, a burden was laid on my shoulders for which it will be no easy task to render an account. The honors I receive are for me an ever present cause of uneasiness. Indeed, it terrifies me to think that I could take more pleasure in the honor attached to my office, which is where its danger lies, than in your salvation, which ought to be its fruit. This is why being set above you fills me with alarm, whereas being with you gives me comfort. Danger lies if the first; salvation in the second.

To be honest with you, my obligations involve me in so much turmoil that I feel as though I were tossed by storms on a great ocean. When I remember by whose blood I have been redeemed, this thought brings me peace, as though I were entering the safety of a harbor; and I am consoled, as I carry out the arduous duties of my own particular office, by the blessings which we all have in common. By finding my chief you therefore in the redemption, which I share with you, and not in my office, which has placed me over you, I shall the more truly be your servant; and so not only fulfill the Lord’s command, but also show myself not ungrateful to him for making me your fellow servant. For my Redeemer has a claim upon my love, and I do not forget how he questioned Peter, and asked: Do you love me, Peter? Then feed my sheep. He asked this once, then again and then a third time. He inquired about his love, and then he gave him work to do; for the greater one’s love is, the easier is the work.

How shall I repay the Lord for all the blessings he has given me? I could say perhaps that I repay him by feeding his sheep, but even though I do this, it is not really I who do it, but the grace of God within me. So when all that I do is the gift of God’s grace, how can I possibly repay him? As a matter of fact, I hope to be repaid myself, and this for the very reason that I love him freely and feed his sheep. But, you may ask, if I feed his sheep because I love him freely, how can I demand payment for feeding them? It is indeed unthinkable to ask for a recompense for love freely given unless that recompense is the loved one himself.

But even if feeding his sheep could repay him for redeeming me, what could repay him for having made me his shepherd? To be a good shepherd I depend entirely on his grace, for without his help I should be a very bad one, there is so much evil in me. Pray, then, that I may not be a bad shepherd, but a good one.

And for you, my brothers, I also pray and warn you against failing to cooperate with the grace you receive from God. Make my ministry a fruitful one. You are God’s garden, and you should therefore welcome the laborer who does the visible work of planting and watering the seed, even though the growth comes from one who works invisibly within you. Help me both by your prayers and by your obedience, for then it will be a pleasure for me, not to preside over you, but to serve you.

Source: The Liturgy of the Hours – Office of Readings

Saint Januarius (d. 305) was born at Naples, or perhaps Benevento, Italy, and was bishop of Benevento when Emperor Diocletian launched his persecution of the Christians. On hearing that his friend, Sossus, a deacon of Miseno, had been imprisoned for his faith at Pozzuoli with Proclus, a deacon of Pozzuoli, and two laymen, Euticius and Acutius, Januarius went to visit them in prison. He was arrested with his deacon, Festus, and a lector, Desiderius, on order of the governor of Campania. They were all thrown to the wild beasts, and when the animals would not harm them, they were beheaded near Pozzuoli. Januarius’ relics ended up in Naples, and for the past four centuries a vial containing his dried blood liquefies and often bubbles and boils when exposed for veneration in the cathedral there. Contrary to physical laws, no satisfactory scientific explanation has been found for this phenomenon and it is accepted as a miracle.

After his decapitation, Januarius’ followers removed the remains and collected two vials of blood, as was the custom regarding martyrs. These relics were brought to Naples, where a great cathedral was built over his tomb. Veneration to Saint Januarius was profound.

The miracle of liquefaction first took place in 1389 when a priest was holding the flasks during a procession. The coagulated blood began to liquefy and bubble, an occurrence that took place afterward 18 times a year.

In more recent years the liquefactions and viewings occurs three times a year: on September 19, the feast day of the Saint; on December 16, which is the anniversary of the eruption of Vesuvius in 1631; and on the first Sunday in May, the day the relics were transferred to Naples.

The two flasks of blood are not equal in volume, one having more coagulated blood than the other. The vials are hermetically sealed and are solidly fixed side by side in a silver ring which touches the bottom of the vials and the top. On both sides of the ring are circular coverings of crystal which protect the vials and permit easy viewing. At the bottom of the ring is a stick-like handle. When the bust reliquary containing the head of the Saint is brought near, the blood in the vials begins to liquefy. The cardinal then announces, “The miracle has happened,” words that cause great excitement and the chanting of the Te Deum.

The blood of St. Januarius has failed to liquefy several times, each time coinciding with the outbreak of disease, famine, war or political oppression. When the liquefaction occurs, these calamities are not expected to take place, and the event gives rise to rejoicing and great celebration.

Source: Mysteries, Marvels, Miracles in the Lives of the Saints; John Carroll Cruz; Tan Books and Publishers, Inc. Rockford, IL 1997.

PRESS RELEASE: – Date: 09-19-2004

Saint’s Blood Liquefies Again

NAPLES, Italy, SEPT. 19, 2004 (Zenit.org).- The blood of St. Januarius ran — again.

So said Cardinal Michele Giordano, archbishop of Naples. Before thousands of faithful gathered in the cathedral this morning, on the liturgical feast of the city’s patron, the cardinal announced that the saint’s blood liquefied yet again.

The cardinal also announced that the Church in Naples will observe the 17th centenary of St. Januarius’ martyrdom by promoting, next September, an international study congress on the saint’s life, Vatican Radio reported.

The meeting will address questions linked to archaeology, anthropology, art history and music.

The miracle of the liquefaction of St. Januarius’ blood, contained in a sealed glass vial, can occur three times a year: on Sept. 19, his feast day; the first weekend of May; and Dec. 16, anniversary of the eruption of Vesuvius in 1631 which, according to tradition, ended after the faithful prayed to the city’s patron.