Saint Januarius of Benevento | September 19

Saint Januarius of Benevento

Feast Day: September 19
Died: circa 305 AD
Patronage: Naples, volcanic eruptions, and protection against blood disorders

Saint Januarius, Bishop of Benevento, was a courageous shepherd during the fierce persecution of Christians under Emperor Diocletian. Arrested with his companions for professing the Faith, he was brought before the Roman governor and condemned to death. Tradition holds that wild beasts refused to harm him, and so he was finally beheaded for Christ.

His martyrdom bore immediate fruit: the faithful of Naples gathered his blood in a vial, which—by divine mystery—has been known to liquefy to this very day. This miracle, repeated for centuries, remains a sign of God’s enduring power and love for His Church. The relics of Saint Januarius, venerated in the Cathedral of Naples, inspire trust in divine mercy and courage in the face of trial.