November 30, 2025 - "Saint José Gregorio Hernández"

Among the Saints who were canonized were two from Venezuela: Saints José Gregorio Hernández and Saint Carmen Rendiles. Pope Leo XIV highlighted their heroic virtues of faith hope and charity and invited the faithful gathered to use them for guidance for today. The Pope reminded us that faith transforms ordinary life into light for others. Hope reminds us that the struggles are not for fleeting ends; and charity, born from receiving God's plan moves us to serve the sick the poor and the small.  The Holy Father also encouraged those present to see in those around them “brothers and sisters called to the same holiness,” walking together in building God’s kingdom with joy.

 

Let me say a few words about Saint José Gregorio Hernández, a Venezuelan physician, scientist, and layman who is revered as the doctor of the poor. He was born on October 26, 1864, in Isnotú in the Venezuelan state of Trujillo. When he was 13, he expressed his desire to go to law school, but his mother convinced him to study medicine. He therefore went to Caracas to study: first at a prestigious academy and then at the medical school of the Universidad Central de Venezuela (UCV), where he was considered a brilliant student. After graduating in 1888, he received a grant from the Venezuelan government to pursue studies in Europe under prominent experts, where he delved into histology, bacteriology, and pathology. Returning to Venezuela in 1893, he founded chairs in those subjects at the UCV, while practicing at a teaching hospital. He was the author of numerous scientific and medical research works as well as some literary essays. He attended daily Mass, brought medicine and care to the poor. He became a Secular Franciscan at the Capuchin church in Caracas in 1899. He attempted to study for the priesthood at two different times, but his delicate health forced him to withdraw from the seminary.  After some time, Hernández concluded it was God's will for him to remain a layman. He decided to promote sanctification as an exemplary Catholic by being a doctor and giving glory to God by serving the sick. He devoted himself to academic research and deepened his dedication to serving the poor. 

 

Dr. José Gregorio became especially well-known for his selfless labors on behalf of the sick during the great influenza epidemic of 1918, becoming known in Caracas as the “doctor of the poor,” often buying medicines for them out of his own pocket. One day, as Doctor Hernández went to pick up medicine for an elderly poor woman, he was struck by a car. He died in the hospital on June 29, 1919.  He was beatified by Pope Francis on April 30, 2021, and, as I have already mentioned, was canonized by Leo XIV on October 19, 2025. Saint José Gregorio Hernández, pray for us!

 

Until next week,

Fr. John