What will happen to the canonization of José Gregorio Hernández and Carmen Rendiles?

The death of Pope Francis will not stop the processes of canonization of the Venezuelan blessed José Gregorio Hernández and Carmen Elena Rendiles Martínez. This was stated by Monsignor Polito Rodríguez, archbishop of Barquisimeto, who confirmed that both processes were duly approved by the Pontiff before his death.

«As for Dr. José Gregorio Hernández and the Blessed Mother Carmen Rendiles, since this has been a decree signed by Pope Francis, only the canonization date remains to be set. There is still no date. That will not affect, since it is already a fact. There is a signed decree and that will be a reality the canonization of these two Venezuelan Beatos,» he said in a press conference.

The Pope approved both canonizations while he was delicate health. In February, from the Gemelli hospital in Rome, where he remained hospitalized for bilateral pneumonia, he signed the decree that recognizes the holiness of Dr. José Gregorio Hernández.

A few weeks later, in March, he would do it with Blessed Carmen Rendiles, founder of the Congregation Siervas de Jesús.

José Gregorio Hernández: The doctor of the poor

Born on October 26, 1864 in Isnotú, Trujillo state, José Gregorio Hernández became one of the most beloved figures in Venezuelan history. Doctor, scientist and man of deep faith, dedicated his life to the free care of the most needy.

His tragic death, hit by a vehicle in Caracas on June 29, 1919, unleashed a wave of popular devotion that remains until today.

They beat him in 2021, after the recognition of a miracle attributed to his intercession: the healing of Yaxury Solórzano Ortega, a girl who survived a shot in the head in 2017, although the doctors had evicted her. Since then, José Gregorio is considered as an intercessor for thousands of Venezuelans, especially in times of illness and difficulty.

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