Saint José Gregorio Hernández

Stored in Cargo: Saint José Gregorio Hernández

Saint José Gregorio Hernández
Feast Day	October 26
Liturgical Class
Patronage	Venezuela; physicians; medical students; the sick; difficult diagnoses
Birthplace	Isnotú, Trujillo State, Venezuela
Death Place	Caracas, Venezuela
Cause of Death	traffic accident
Primary Shrine	Church of Saint John the Baptist, Caracas, Venezuela

Saint José Gregorio Hernández (10-26-1864 – 06-29-1919), popularly known as the “Doctor of the Poor,” was a Venezuelan physician, scientist, and Third Order Franciscan renowned for his charity and holiness. Born in the Andean village of Isnotú, Trujillo State, he studied medicine in Caracas and Paris, becoming Venezuela’s leading doctor and professor while treating the poor without charge and dedicating nights to prayer.

Beatified on 06-19-2020 and canonized on 10-13-2024 by Pope Francis—the first Venezuelan layman saint—after authenticated miracles, his feast is 10-26. Patron of Venezuela, physicians, and the sick, he is the fourth Venezuelan saint.

Biography

Birth

Saint José Gregorio Hernández Cisneros was born on 10-26-1864 in Isnotú, a small Andean village in Trujillo State, Venezuela, to Benigno María Hernández and Josefa Antonia Cisneros. The sixth of seven children, he grew up in a devout Catholic family of modest means during Venezuela’s post-independence era.

Baptized on 11-30-1864 in the local parish church, José received early religious formation from his mother. The rural setting of Isnotú, surrounded by mountains, fostered a contemplative spirit from childhood.

His father, a merchant, provided basic education at home before sending him to school in Trujillo city. From infancy, José showed intelligence and piety, earning affection in the community.

Early Life

José attended primary school in Trujillo, demonstrating aptitude for sciences and languages. At age 13, he moved to Caracas for secondary studies at the Colegio Villegas, living with relatives.

Excelling in mathematics and Latin, he developed interest in medicine inspired by local doctors treating the poor. Family financial difficulties delayed university entry, but he persisted through scholarships.

In 1882, at age 18, José began medical studies at the Central University of Venezuela in Caracas. The program, influenced by French positivism, challenged his faith, yet he maintained daily Mass attendance.

During university years, he joined the St. Vincent de Paul Society, visiting hospitals and aiding the needy. These experiences solidified his call to serve Christ in the suffering.

Graduating with honors in 1888 as Doctor of Medicine, he returned briefly to Isnotú before establishing practice in Caracas.

Occupation

As a physician from 1888, José Gregorio specialized in pathology, histology, and physiology, becoming Venezuela’s leading diagnostician and professor at Central University. He introduced modern equipment like microscopes and X-rays to the country.

Treating presidents and peasants alike, he never charged the poor, often giving money for medicines. Nights were spent in prayer and study.

He founded the Chair of Bacteriology and published scientific papers while maintaining hospital rounds. Colleagues admired his precision and compassion.

Despite offers of wealth, he lived simply, dedicating earnings to charity and medical missions.

Vocation

José Gregorio’s vocation combined scientific excellence with Franciscan spirituality; he joined the Third Order of Saint Francis in 1909, taking private vows. He attempted monastic life twice but was directed to remain in the world as a “secular saint.”

His daily routine included Mass, Rosary, and hospital visits to the poorest wards. He offered medical skill as service to Christ in the suffering.

Attempts to enter Carthusians and Franciscans were thwarted by health and obedience, confirming his lay apostolate. He practiced poverty, chastity in celibacy, and obedience to spiritual directors.

His vocation inspired generations of Venezuelan doctors to integrate faith and profession.

Death

On 06-29-1919, while crossing a Caracas street to obtain medicine for a poor patient, José Gregorio was struck by a car—the first automobile fatality in Venezuela. Taken to hospital, he died hours later from head trauma, aged 54.

His last words requested care for the patient. Immediate veneration followed; crowds attended his funeral. Buried in La Candelaria church, relics were translated to San Juan Bautista in 1975.

Exhumation in 1975 revealed incorrupt blood, noted in official reports.

Saint José Gregorio Hernández met his end through accident while serving the poor.

Significant events

• Graduated Doctor of Medicine, 1888.
• Joined Third Order of Saint Francis, 1909.
• Died in traffic accident, 06-29-1919.
• Cause opened 1949.
• Beatified 06-19-2020.
• Canonized 10-13-2024.

Significant locations

Loading map...

{"minzoom":false,"maxzoom":false,"mappingservice":"leaflet","width":"600px","height":"400px","centre":false,"title":"","label":"","icon":"","lines":[],"polygons":[],"circles":[],"rectangles":[],"copycoords":false,"static":false,"zoom":3,"defzoom":14,"layers":["OpenStreetMap"],"image layers":[],"overlays":[],"resizable":false,"fullscreen":false,"scrollwheelzoom":true,"cluster":false,"clustermaxzoom":20,"clusterzoomonclick":true,"clustermaxradius":80,"clusterspiderfy":true,"geojson":"","clicktarget":"","imageLayers":[],"locations":[{"text":"\u003Cdiv class=\"mw-parser-output\"\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBirth location: Isnot\u00fa, Trujillo State, Venezuela\n\u003C/p\u003E\u003C/div\u003E","title":"Birth location: Isnot\u00fa, Trujillo State, Venezuela\n","link":"","lat":9.3167,"lon":-70.6167,"icon":""},{"text":"\u003Cdiv class=\"mw-parser-output\"\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDeath location: Caracas, Venezuela\n\u003C/p\u003E\u003C/div\u003E","title":"Death location: Caracas, Venezuela\n","link":"","lat":10.4806,"lon":-66.9036,"icon":""},{"text":"\u003Cdiv class=\"mw-parser-output\"\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESite of death and initial burial (Church of Nuestra Se\u00f1ora de la Candelaria, Caracas, Venezuela)\n\u003C/p\u003E\u003C/div\u003E","title":"Site of death and initial burial (Church of Nuestra Se\u00f1ora de la Candelaria, Caracas, Venezuela)\n","link":"","lat":10.506,"lon":-66.916,"icon":""},{"text":"\u003Cdiv class=\"mw-parser-output\"\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBirthplace shrine (Sanctuary of Saint Jos\u00e9 Gregorio Hern\u00e1ndez, Isnot\u00fa, Venezuela)\n\u003C/p\u003E\u003C/div\u003E","title":"Birthplace shrine (Sanctuary of Saint Jos\u00e9 Gregorio Hern\u00e1ndez, Isnot\u00fa, Venezuela)\n","link":"","lat":9.3167,"lon":-70.6167,"icon":""},{"text":"\u003Cdiv class=\"mw-parser-output\"\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFinal resting place and national shrine (Church of Saint John the Baptist, Caracas, Venezuela)\n\u003C/p\u003E\u003C/div\u003E","title":"Final resting place and national shrine (Church of Saint John the Baptist, Caracas, Venezuela)\n","link":"","lat":10.512,"lon":-66.914,"icon":""}],"imageoverlays":null}

Legend

• Birth location: Isnotú, Trujillo State, Venezuela
• Death location: Caracas, Venezuela
• Notable location: Site of death and initial burial (Church of Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria, Caracas, Venezuela)
• Notable location: Birthplace shrine (Sanctuary of Saint José Gregorio Hernández, Isnotú, Venezuela)
• Notable location: Final resting place and national shrine (Church of Saint John the Baptist, Caracas, Venezuela)
• Notable location:
• Notable location:

Dynamic content

Parishes

Saint José Gregorio Hernández
No results
This map created from a Cargo query ()

Media

No media found for this saint.

Shrines

Dynamic shrines

This will pull in related Shrines.

No results

No shrines where this saint is the primary saint.

Canonization

Servant of God

Cause opened 1949 in Caracas.

Venerable

Declared Venerable 01-16-1986.

Beatification

Beatified 06-19-2020 by Cardinal Baltazar Porras on behalf of Pope Francis.

Canonization

Canonized 10-13-2024 by Pope Francis after authenticated second miracle.

Miracles

• Beatification miracle: healing of Yaxuri Solórzano from gunshot wound.
• Canonization miracle: healing of a child from terminal illness.

Patronage

Saint José Gregorio Hernández is patron of Venezuela, physicians, medical students, and difficult diagnoses.

Feast day

October 26

Veneration

Saint José Gregorio Hernández is venerated on 10-26 with national celebrations in Venezuela.

External links

• Holy See: Canonization Homily
• Catholic Online: St. José Gregorio Hernández