Published at: 26/10/2024 08:48 AM

On October 26, 1864, José Gregorio Hernández, the doctor of the poor, was born, a native of the state of Trujillo, specifically in the small town of Isnotú.

From an early age, he stood out for his studies and was sent to Caracas, where he graduated in medicine from the Central University of Venezuela (UCV). Then he goes to his hometown to do what he is so passionate about: Tending to those most in need.

He later obtained a scholarship to complete his studies in Paris and there he collected knowledge and advances that he later applied in the country.

According to Jesuit Father Arturo Sosa, “José Gregorio Hernández integrates excellent scientific training into his spiritual experience that leads him to put himself at the service of those who need it, with a special predilection for those who cannot give it back”.

Hernández was also a great teacher and researcher, who gained fame among his colleagues and the popular sectors for his characteristic mode of medical consultation, apart from treating poor patients free of charge, he left treatment anonymously on the doors of their homes. An action that his patients knew only a noble heart like his could do.

He is credited with having introduced the microscope and having laid the foundations of bacteriology and other scientific fields hitherto barely developed in Venezuela.

José Gregorio also had a great love for serving God and twice tried to be ordained a priest. In 1908 he was admitted to the monastery of Cartuja de Farneta, in Tuscany, Italy, but after a few months he showed symptoms of a respiratory illness that prompted his return to Caracas. A second attempt at a Roman seminary in 1913 ended the same way.

In spite of this, he continued to carry out extensive clinical and research work, and even completed a treatise on philosophy, without leaving his dear patients unattended.

On June 29, 1919, he was hit by a car hit on a central street in Caracas by one of the few cars that were driving around the country at the time.

But his journey did not end there, many Venezuelans continued to include him in their prayers, asking for favors that most were granted by him according to his faithful.

His miracles transcended borders, until Pope John Paul II proclaimed him “The Venerable” on January 16, 1986.

After so many attempts to beatify him since 1949, Pope Francis authorized it on June 19, 2020, since the miracle performed by the Servant of God had no scientific explanation.

The seal of the beatification of the venerable occurred in the state of Guárico and is Yaxury Solórzano, a girl of only 10 years old who received a bullet hit near the neck. “He was left in a very serious condition, almost to death. She was operated on by the same doctors with a very poor prognosis, having lost brain mass and several bones (...) However, after a few days, when they go to check, she is totally healthy, as if she had absolutely nothing,” said Monsignor Baltazar Porras.

After several processes carried out by the Bolivarian Government in conjunction with the Catholic Church, on April 30, 2021, the doctor of the poor was beatified.

Mazo News Team