File photo of Pope Francis with the blood of St Januarius St Januarius’ blood liquefies for the second time in 2021
The blood of St Januarius, patron of the Italian city of Naples, liquefied for the second time this year.
The miraculous event took place in the city’s Cathedral of the Assumption of Mary during morning Mass on September 19, the saint’s feast day.
Before the Mass, Naples Archbishop Domenico Battaglia went to the Royal Chapel of the Treasure of St Januarius with Msgr Vincenzo de Gregorio, the chapel’s abbot, and city mayor Luigi De Magistris.
Archbishop Battaglia opened the safe containing a reliquary with a circular sealed vial filled with the third-century bishop’s blood.
During the miracle, the dried, red-coloured mass confined to one side of the reliquary becomes blood that covers the entire glass.
Canadian archbishop: Only fully vaccinated can attend Mass
Anyone age 12 or over attending a gathering at Catholic churches, rectories or community centres under the responsibility of the Archdiocese of Moncton must present proof that they are fully vaccinated, the archdiocese announced September 17.
The new policy applies to all religious celebrations, Sunday and weekday Masses, baptisms, weddings and funerals, parish and pastoral meetings, catechesis, and social meetings.
The archdiocese’s announcement comes in the wake of new provincial government rules which took effect September 21 requiring proof of vaccination to access certain events, services, and businesses.
Fewer than 50 people have died from Covid-19 in the province of New Brunswick since the pandemic began, out of a total population of more than 780,000, according to government statistics.
Cardinal says Haiti’s ‘catastrophic situation’ led Haitians to US border
Cardinal Chibly Langlois has said that the “catastrophic situation” in Haiti caused by poverty, violence, and natural disasters has led to Haitians seeking asylum at the US border.
The Catholic cardinal, who was injured in Haiti’s recent earthquake, is also a leader in the recovery efforts for the island nation facing the consequences of the 7.2 magnitude earthquake, aggravated by widespread poverty and gang violence.
“The people of Haiti are suffering, believe me,” Cardinal Langlois said September 21.
The Haitian cardinal spoke in French with live interpretation into English at a webinar organised by Caritas Internationalis in Rome.
Eight elderly nuns in Manila succumb to Covid-19
The Congregation of the Religious of the Virgin Mary in Manila announced the death of eight elderly nuns who had been diagnosed with Covid-19.
The nuns were between 80 and 90 years old and were among the 62 sisters earlier reported to have been infected with Covid-19 at a convent in Quezon City in the Philippine capital.
Sr Ma. Anicia Co, RVM, the congregation’s spokesperson, said that 52 convent staff and personnel were also positive for Covid-19.
“The personnel are still young so they are on the road to recovery,” said Sr Co in an interview over Church-run Radio Veritas 846.
Meanwhile, a Covid-19 outbreak also hit a seminary of the Society of the Divine Word in Manila last week. At least 25 of the 59 residents of the Christ the King Mission Seminary were reported to have contracted the disease, including nine priests and 16 employees.