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Januarius hailed from either Naples or Benevento. He became bishop of Benevento, and was holding this office when the Diocletian persecutions began in the early fourth century. Januarius went to visit and encourage four imprisoned Christians, two deacons and two laymen, with whom he was friends. When this was reported, Januarius was quickly arrested, along with his own deacon, Festus, and a lector named Desiderius. The three were tortured, then imprisoned along with the others, and finally thrown before wild beasts in the arena. The animals refused to go near them, however, and finally the seven martyrs were taken away and beheaded. The relics of St. Januarius were interred in the city of Naples, where he is a beloved patron, and to this day two vials of his blood miraculously liquefy on his feast day of September 19th, on December 16th, and on the Saturday before the first Sunday in May, after the faithful venerate his relics in the Naples Cathedral. On rare occasions, the miracle does not take place, but usually the blood remains liquid throughout the octave of each feast day. “San Gennaro” is celebrated by Neapolitan immigrants throughout the world, and he is a patron of blood banks and against volcanic eruptions.
AT Puzzoli, in Campania, the holy martyrs Januarius, bishop of Benevento, Festus, his deacon, and Desiderius, lector, together with Sosius, deacon of the church of Misenum, Proculus, deacon of Puzzoli, Eutychius and Acutius, who were bound and imprisoned and then beheaded during the reign of Diocletian. The body of St. Januarius was brought to Naples, and buried in the church with due honors, where even now the blood of the blessed martyr is kept in a vial, and when placed close to his head, is seen to become liquid and bubble up as if it were just taken from his veins.
At Nocera, the birthday of the holy martyrs Felix and Constantia, who suffered under Nero.
In Palestine, the holy martyrs Peleus, Nilus, and Elias, bishops in Egypt, who were, with many others of the clergy, consumed by fire for the sake of Christ during the persecution of Diocletian.
The same day, the holy martyrs Trophimus, Sabbatius, and Dorymedon, senator, under the emperor Probus. By command of the governor Atticus, at Antioch, Sabbatius was scourged until he expired. Trophimus was sent to the governor Perennius at Synnada, where he and the senator Dorymedon consummated their martyrdom by decapitation, after enduring many torments.
At Cordova, in the Arabian persecution, St. Pomposa, virgin and martyr.
At Canterbury, the holy bishop Theodore, who was sent to England by pope Vitalian, and was renowned for learning and holiness.
At Tours, St. Eustochius, bishop, a man of great virtue.
In the diocese of Langres, St. Sequanus, priest and confessor.
At Barcelona, in Spain, blessed Mary de Cervellione, virgin, of the Order of Our Lady of Ransom. She is commonly called Mary of Help on account of the prompt assistance she renders to those who invoke her.
℣. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
℟. Thanks be to God.