The archbishop of Caracas, Cardinal Raúl Biord, said that the canonization of José Gregorio Hernández and Carmen Rendiles is a sign of hope for Venezuela, in a context of political, social polarization and economic crisis. «José Gregorio and Madre Carmen cross all barriers. “They are symbols of the best Venezuelan values, a call to unity and hope in this Jubilee Year.”
The portraits of the Venezuelans José Gregorio Hernández and Carmen Rendiles, whom Pope Leo XIV will proclaim saints next Sunday, October 19, are already hanging in St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.
The Archbishop of Caracas, Cardinal Raúl Biord, and the postulator of the cause of canonization of Blessed José Gregorio Hernández, Silvia Correale, among others, participated this Friday in the event “Witnesses of peace for a peace process, the new challenge of the saints in Venezuela”, where the role of the next saints was addressed.
Cardinal Biord said that this canonization is a sign of hope for Venezuela, in a context of political and social polarization and economic crisis.
«José Gregorio and Madre Carmen cross all barriers. “They are symbols of the best Venezuelan values, a call to unity and hope in this Jubilee Year,” said Biord in an interview with Vatican Radio.
Biord shared details of his audience with Pope Leo
“The Holy Father assured us of his constant prayer for peace, reconciliation and prosperity in Venezuela,” said Biord.
Silvia Correale, the postulator who worked on the canonization process for both causes, explained in an interview with the EFE agency that in his long years of work he has never seen an equal devotion and assures that it is important “for all the Venezuelan people.”
Correale highlighted the importance of Venezuela having its first saints since for Catholics “it is truly a very desired goal” and “especially for the figure of José Gregorio (1864 – 1919) who was already venerable since 1986.”
One of the images of Venezuelan saints has a particularity. José Gregorio Hernández’s tapestry is based on a 1917 photograph that was taken in New York (United States) and his smile was slightly retouched at the request of Gerardino Barracchini, rector of the La Candelaria church in Caracas, with the intention of “making him feel closer to the people,” as published by the Nuestra Señora De La Candelaria Sanctuary on its Instagram account.
The iconic photograph became a picture for which the blessed, born in Isnotú, Trujillo, is known in the popular imagination. The so-called doctor of the poor decided to take the portrait standing, because he said: “I don’t look good sitting down, it must be because I’m always walking.”
*Journalism in Venezuela is carried out in a hostile environment for the press with dozens of legal instruments in place to punish the word, especially the laws “against hate”, “against fascism” and “against the blockade.” This content was written taking into consideration the threats and limits that, consequently, have been imposed on the dissemination of information from within the country.
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