The San Gennaro Feast in Naples

Author: Serena

Every year on the 19th of September Naples celebrates San Gennaro, its Patron Saint.

During that day all the faithful wait for the famous “miracle” to happen: the San Gennaro blood, preserved in two cruets, becomes liquid and then it is shown to the population between applauses and thanksgiving prayers. The punctual arrival of the miracle is considered as a good omen, otherwise a possible delay is negatively interpreted.

Surely one of the most intense moments is which one of the expectation of the miracle when the faithful meet together in the Cathedral Dome begging the miracle with prayers, pleas and local idioms litanies.

As soon as the miracle occurs, two cannon shots are fired from Castel dell’Ovo to announce the event to the city. If the miracle doesn’t happen invocations will go on until the moment of the liquefaction.

Then there is a striking religious parade (also called the “statues procession” for the presence of many silver religious statues) followed by many celebrations all around the city.