Diocese of Trujillo presented special programming in honor of San José Gregorio Hernández
Advance Weekly
Published at: 24/09/2026 08:37 PM
With the slogan “Under Your Protection Hope Saves Us”, this Thursday, September 24, the special program that will take place during the month of October in honor of San José Gregorio Hernández was announced.
The information was provided at a press conference, at the Diocesan Museum of the Shrine of the Child Jesus, in Isnotú, by the diocesan bishop, Monsignor José Trinidad Fernández Angulo, accompanied by priest José Gregorio Escalona, vicar general of the Diocese of Trujillo; priest Ali Benítez, rector pastor of the Child Jesus Sanctuary of San José Gregorio Hernández , priest Diyerson Salazar, vicar cooperator and priest Alfredo Mendoza, advisor to Youth Ministry.
Monsignor Fernández Angulo emphasized that the figure of the “Doctor of the Poor” calls for national and international unity and highlighted the transcendence of the life and work of the saint Trujillo, as well as his profound spiritual impact on Venezuelan society.
He pointed out the humanist and Christian character of José Gregorio Hernández, reflected in his book Elements of Philosophy (1912) and added that this writing is still very valid today and can be analyzed in the light of Pope Leo XIII's Magnificent encyclical Humanitas.
For his part, priest Ali Benítez, rector of the Sanctuary, explained in detail the schedule of activities that will take place in the enclosure throughout the month of October.
He specified that this year the agenda will prioritize strictly religious celebrations, although it will also have important spaces dedicated to culture, academia and social action.
During the meeting with the media, Fr. Alfredo Mendoza, diocesan advisor for Youth Ministry, extended an invitation to young people to join the great March for Faith and Peace 2026.
The activity will take place next Monday, October 12, starting in the city of Valera and culminating in Isnotú.
The program will formally begin on October 1st with a healing concert, the Eucharist and the solemn lowering of the image of Saint Joseph Gregorio Hernández. In this regard, priest Ali Enmanuel Benítez, rector pastor of the Sanctuary, pointed out that this agenda seeks to “start the celebration by healing the soul” through spaces for prayer and spiritual recollection.
Then, on October 3, there will be mass of thanksgiving, days of confessions, baptisms and a special assembly of prayer for the health of the sick and pilgrims. On October 10, the symposium on the life and work of the saint will be held, with the participation of specialists and historians.
On Monday, October 12, the traditional March for Faith and Peace will take place, which will start from José Gregorio Hernández Square in the La Floresta sector in the Valera municipality to the sanctuary of Isnotú, culminating in the Holy Eucharist. To participate, Monsignor Fernández recommended bringing water to hydrate and wearing comfortable clothes.
On October 19, the central celebration will take place throughout the Diocese of Trujillo for the first anniversary of the canonization, highlighting the thanksgiving mass at 10:00am in Isnotú with the musical accompaniment of more than 70 children and young members of the Carache Show Band.
From October 24 to 26, there will be an illuminated rosary, a cultural evening with regional groups and the central events of the day of the solemnity on October 26, whose main Eucharist will be officiated by Monsignor José Magdaleno Álvarez, bishop of Guasdualito, Apure state, and former rector of the sanctuary.
The 60th anniversary of the founding of the Child Jesus Sanctuary is scheduled to be commemorated on October 30, with a solemn mass officiated by the Archbishop of Mérida, Monsignor Helizandro Emiro Terán Bermúdez; and finally, on October 31, the festivities will culminate with a free medical day by specialists from various areas of health, honoring the humanitarian legacy of Dr. José Gregorio Hernández.
In addition, the Diocese of Trujillo announced that, as part of the Coromotano Jubilee Year, a great diocesan pilgrimage is being prepared to the Sanctuary of the Virgin of Coromoto in Guanare, scheduled for February 2027.