(OSV News) — The Diocese of Allentown, Pennsylvania, has invoked some heavenly help for its second annual blood drive — and the initiative’s patron saint is a perfect match.
Since September, the diocese has been partnering with the nonprofit Miller-Keystone Blood Center to collect blood donations at the latter’s various locations, following up on the success of last year’s effort.
The drive — which through Miller-Keystone will help supply blood to all of the region’s major hospital networks — is being held in honor of St. Januarius, a fourth-century bishop and martyr who is the patron of blood banks.
Miraculous liquefaction
That designation is due to the miraculous liquefaction of a relic of the saint’s dried blood that typically takes place three times a year at the Chapel of the Treasure of San Gennaro (St. Januarius) in Naples, Italy. St. Januarius is that city’s beloved patron.
The diocesan blood drive’s start and end dates, Sept. 16 and Dec. 16, respectively mark the saint’s feast day and one of the three days of that liquefaction.
And after they roll up their sleeves to donate, participants who provide their parish’s blood drive sponsor code receive a St. Januarius medallion blessed by Bishop Alfred A. Schlert of Allentown or — if they already have one from last year’s campaign — a prayer card.
Bishop Schlert, who was among the donors, told OSV News that “supporting a blood drive is a profound act of charity and solidarity.”
Donated blood together
He and Miller-Keystone CEO Rami Nemeh even “donated blood together in a little friendly competition,” Allentown diocesan communications director Lina Tavarez told OSV News.
With the 2024 inaugural drive collecting 571 donations, Tavarez said that this year’s campaign “continues to go strong,” with 442 donations so far and 17 first-time donors.
Parishes topping the donation numbers in the drive include St. Thomas More in Allentown (64) and St. Joseph the Worker in Orefield (60), along with St. Catharine of Siena in Reading (34), St. Mary in Hamburg (24) and St. Jane Frances de Chantal in Easton (19).
“This generosity is a concrete way of following Christ, who offered his own blood for the life of others,” said Bishop Schlert. “Acts like these reflect the heart of our Catholic mission: to serve others with compassion, hope and love.”
Gina Christian is a multimedia reporter for OSV News. Follow her on X @GinaJesseReina.
