Januarius

Who they were

Januarius was born at Naples or Benevento in the second half of the third century and at thirty was already bishop of Benevento, loved by the faithful and respected by pagans for his charity to the poor. When Diocletian's persecution began in 303, his friend Sossius, deacon of Miseno, was arrested. Januarius went with the deacon Festus and the lector Desiderius to visit him in prison, and all were condemned to be thrown to the bears; fearing a riot, the governor had them beheaded instead, away from the crowds.

The miracles

There was never a formal cause: Januarius has been honoured as a martyr since the fourth century. The liquefaction of his blood, kept in two phials in Naples Cathedral, is first recorded on 17 August 1389 and now recurs three times a year.

Why that counted as sanctity

Januarius, a bishop who loved the poor, went to comfort a friend in prison and died for Christ with him. Paul VI prayed that the faith of the people of Naples would boil up like his blood.

Connected on this site

• Paul VI Saint
  “Paul VI prayed that the faith of the people of Naples would boil up like his blood.” — this site's research