Entry 56 · Book chapter 57

March 25 1944

Widespread fear that San Gennaro's blood may fail to liquefy reflects a surge of religious "miracle" fervor sweeping wartime Naples.

Reflections

Miracle fervor as collective coping with crisis

Lewis observes that wartime hardship has pushed Naples back into the Middle Ages, with a sudden explosion of talking, bleeding, and weeping religious images answering a citywide craving for miracles and cures.

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