But these instances do not account for
liquefaction on certain days, if this is the case. But the most
strange phenomenon is what happens at Ravello, a village or town
above Amalfi. There is the blood of St. Pantaleon. It is in a
vessel amid the stonework of the Altar - it is not touched but on
his feast in June it liquefies. And more, there is an
excommunication against those who bring portions of the True
Cross into the Church. Why? Because the blood liquefies, whenever
it is brought. A person I know, not knowing the prohibition,
brought in a portion, and the Priest suddenly said, who showed
the blood, "Who has got the Holy Cross about him?" I tell you
what was told me by a grave and religious man. It is a curious
coincidence that in telling this to our Father Director here, he
said, "Why, we have a portion of St. Pantaleon's blood at the
Chiesa Nuova, and it is always liquid."'
After leaving Naples, Newman visited Loreto, and inspected the
house of the Holy Family, which, as is known to the faithful, was
transported thither, in three hops, from Palestine. 'I went to
Loreto,' he wrote, 'with a simple faith, believing what I still
more believed when I saw it. I have no doubt now. If you ask me
why I believe it, it is because everyone believes it at Rome;
cautious as they are and sceptical about some other things.
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