“Principal Episodes in the Life of Christ, of St. Francis of Assisi, and of St. Anthony of Padua”

“Principal Episodes in the Life of Christ, of St. Francis of Assisi, and of St. Anthony of Padua”
Church of the Most Precious Blood
New York, New York
painted 1916–1917

Murals

Known colloquially as "the San Gennaro church," Most Precious Blood in Manhattan's Little Italy is named for the patron saint of Naples, San Gennaro. A vial of the saint's dried blood, which is stored in the Cathedral of Naples, has been known to liquify in front of the faithful, hence the name of this church.

Built for a parish of Neapolitan emigrants, the church catered to their preferred decoration, including paintings and statues of saints and a Saint Gennaro shrine.

The church is also the nominal host of the annual, famous (or infamous, depending on your point of view) San Gennaro festival which occurs on the saint's feast day in September.

Donatus Buongiorno painted 19 murals in this church, his largest commission, for which he was paid $4,000. I have a pdf file with a guide to the murals. If you are interested, write to me.

Photographs: Square murals by John A.Troisi ©2007. Used with permission. Others by Janice Carapellucci ©2007.

Exterior of Church

Photograph: Janice Carapellucci, ©2006