NAPLES – On Saturday, May 3, the Cathedral of Naples will once again be filled with hope, prayers and eyes fixed on the altar where, as per tradition, the miracle of the liquefaction of the blood of San Gennaro will be repeated. It is the spring appointment with the Neapolitan faith, less known than the September event but equally felt by the city. The ceremony does not only celebrate a mystical event, but also recalls a fundamental historical passage: the translation of the relics of the saint from Pozzuoli to Naples, a gesture that strengthened over the centuries the sacred bond between the Neapolitan people and their patron saint.
The beating heart of this day will be the solemn procession that accompanies the bust and the ampoules containing the blood of the saint through the historic center, up to the Basilica of Santa Chiara. What makes this moment unique is also the rediscovery of ancient traditions such as that of the "cappelli infrascati": crowns woven of flowers and branches that, once, adorned the faithful and members of the clergy. A tribute to spring that has its roots in pagan cults but that Christianity has transformed into a symbol of rebirth and spiritual hope.
Among the curiosities surrounding the rite, there is also the one related to the reliquary that holds the blood of San Gennaro. Surmounted by a silver crown with an emerald set in it, it is at the center of a never forgotten popular superstition: no one should dare weigh it, because challenging the mystery could attract misfortune. Everything is ready, therefore, for the day in which Napoli gathers around its saint, waiting for the miracle that has accompanied the city's destiny for centuries.
Article published on 30 April 2025 - 14:28
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And it is a very important event for the city of Naples, the tradition is really strong and even if it is not as well known as the one in September, it always remains a special moment for the Neapolitans who participate with great faith and devotion.