The Miracle of San Ferdinando: Oil, Faith, and Unexplained Phenomena in Naples
articolo di Carlo Coppola si trova nella versione italiana al seguente link:
On July 24, an extraordinary episode unfolded during a liturgical celebration honoring Saint Charbel Makhlouf at the Church of San Ferdinando in Naples—an event that has since captured the attention of believers and sparked intense ecclesiastical scrutiny.
The Mass, presided over by parish priest Msgr. Pasquale Silvestri, drew over five hundred attendees, including numerous sick faithful from across Campania and beyond. What transpired at the ceremony's conclusion would soon become the subject of fervent discussion throughout southern Italy.
Following the celebration, Father Silvestri began the anointing ritual using blessed oil sent from the Maronite Curia in Rome. The oil, which initially appeared insufficient for the large gathering, not only proved adequate for all present but allegedly replenished itself after being stored away.
In a letter addressed to Father Elias Hammoury, former postulator for Saint Charbel's canonization cause, the parish priest recounted the incident: "At the end, I closed the bottle and placed it in the safe, but later I discovered it had filled again. I could not believe my eyes."
The episode gained further intrigue in the following days. Lebanese pilgrims visiting the church claimed to have detected the distinctive fragrance of Lebanese cedar in the oil—a detail that added an evocative dimension to the already remarkable occurrence.
More significantly, reports of alleged healings began to emerge. One young woman who attended the celebration reported that clinical examinations conducted after the Mass revealed no trace of the serious illness previously diagnosed.
Ecclesiastical Investigation Underway
Msgr. Silvestri—known for his precision and rigor, qualities that also define his role as a judge at the Parthenopean Interdiocesan Ecclesiastical Tribunal—has methodically documented all testimonies brought to his attention. Church authorities have initiated a formal verification process, which includes medical investigations and theological analysis.
It bears noting that Saint Charbel's oil is a blessed olive oil from Lebanon containing drops of liquid that exuded from the saint's body. Blessed by Maronite monks at his tomb, it is considered a sacred object by the faithful. As a sacramental, it may be used to anoint the body, particularly afflicted areas, to light candles, or simply kept as an object of devotion—practices meant to accompany a life of grace and prayer.
A Growing Pilgrimage
The Church of San Ferdinando has rapidly become a destination for increasing numbers of pilgrims, not only from Naples but also from Puglia and Calabria. The episode unfolds within a climate of renewed attention to religious signs in the city, following the recent liquefaction of the blood of Saint Patricia and Saint Januarius—the latter witnessed by Cardinals Battaglia and Parolin—events that have reinvigorated popular devotion.
Beyond Borders
For the community, the events of July 24 represent more than an unusual occurrence—they mark a moment of profound spiritual participation that has strengthened the faithful's connection to Saint Charbel, a figure whose devotion extends far beyond Lebanon's borders.
As the Church's investigation proceeds with characteristic caution, the faithful continue to gather at San Ferdinando, drawn by accounts of the inexplicable and sustained by the ancient human need to witness the sacred breaking through into ordinary life. Whether miracle or mystery, the episode has undeniably rekindled the flame of faith in a city where the supernatural has long walked hand in hand with daily existence.
Carlo Coppola
.png)
