September 20, 2001

9:21 AM

Saintly blood makes scheduled liquid-form appearance.The blood of Saint Gennaro usually turns to liquid twice a year — on September 19, the saint's feast day, and on the first Saturday in May. In the past, disaster has struck when the blood has remained dry.
posted by o2b (3 comments total)

yikes, i'm amazed there are no comments, is this actually true ? Have 'scientists' actually verified it's blood ? Has anyone ever been there when this has happened ?

Cool trick if nothing else.
posted by zeoslap at 3:40 PM on September 20, 2001

it said scientists confirmed it was blood, it didn't say it was under scientific observation when it changed. Since even most of the non-decomposing saints bodies and such relics show signs of artificial mummification when examined by scientists, i'm sure the blood changing forms could be properly explained.
posted by th3ph17 at 3:57 PM on September 20, 2001

ok it's a mix of olive oil and, dunno, iron oxide.
this gives it partially solid qualities until it has been at room temp for a short period of time.
the atmospheric conditions are what determines whether or not this 'miracle' occurs.
sorry to spoil the debate.
sounds cool, though a thixotropic gel.
posted by asok at 11:50 AM on September 21, 2001