Saint José Gregorio Hernández
Venezuelan physician who cared for the poor, the country's first saint
- Rank
- Saint
- Kind
- Layperson
- Life
- 1864 – 1919
- Era
- 20th century
- Feast
- 26 October
- Countries
- Venezuela
Life story
He was born on 26 October 1864 at Isnotú in Trujillo state, Venezuela. After attending the Colegio Villegas in Caracas, he studied medicine at the Central University of Venezuela and graduated in 1888. The government funded further study in Paris in bacteriology, pathology and physiology.
Back in Venezuela he became a leading doctor at the José María Vargas hospital, teaching and practising, and treating poor patients without charge. He twice tried to enter religious life: a Carthusian house in Italy in 1908 and a seminary in Rome in 1913. Ill health ended both attempts, and he then became a Franciscan tertiary in Venezuela.
During the 1918 influenza epidemic he treated patients in Caracas. He died on 29 June 1919 after being struck by a motor car.
He was declared venerable in 1986 and beatified on 30 April 2021 in Caracas after a miracle was credited to his intercession. Pope Leo XIV canonised him on 19 October 2025 in St Peter's Square, making him Venezuela's first saint.
Works and witness
- Graduated in medicine in 1888 and studied in Paris
- Taught and practised at the Vargas hospital, Caracas
- Treated poor patients free of charge
- Twice attempted religious life but was prevented by illness
- Died on 29 June 1919; canonised on 19 October 2025
Patron of
Doctors, Medical students, Medical patients
Saints from the same country
References
- Decrees of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints on José Gregorio Hernández (beatification 2021, canonisation 2025)
- Holy See Press Office, canonisation Mass of 19 October 2025
- Martyrologium Romanum
Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.