The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

SAINT SANGENNARO

THE ROCK, ON WHICH ST. SANGENNARO WAS BEHEADED, IS KEPT IN A GLASS
CASE IN THE CHURCH NAMED AFTER HIM IN NAPLES, ITALY. EVERY SPRING AN
AUTUMN THE BLOOD ON THE ROCK LIQUIFIES. IF IT FAILS TO LIQUIFY IT
PORTENDS A DISASTER. IT FAILED TO LIQUIFY BEFORE WORLD WAR 1 ,
WORLD WAR 2, AND THE KOREAN WAR. IT ALSO DIDN'T LIQUIFY IN 1963, THE
YEAR THAT THE INFORMANT SAW IT.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: HOME

Keyword(s): BLOOD ; HISTORICAL ; OMEN ; Portent ; RELIGION ; Rock ; Saint Sangennaro ; SIGN ; SYMBOL

Date learned: 11-23-1968 ; 00-00-1963