Although the canonization of the first two Venezuelan saints arouses emotion in Caracas, parishioners express that the country’s crisis prevents them from celebrating with full joy.
A few hours before the canonization of Dr. José Gregorio Hernández and Mother Carmen Rendiles, scheduled for Sunday, October 19 in Rome, Italy, the sentiment of the people of Caracas is perceived as divided between devotion and discouragement.
Although the event represents a historic milestone for the Venezuelan Catholic faith, many citizens assured SuchWhich that the difficult economic and social situation of the country prevents them from living this moment with the enthusiasm they would like.
Emotion is affected by everyday reality. Some devotees commented that despite the pride they feel in the canonization of the first two Venezuelan saints, they do not have the courage to participate in the activities due to lack of transportation, insecurity or simply due to the emotional exhaustion generated by the crisis.
“Are you asking me about the spirit? There is no spirit, with the situation in the country like this, people don’t feel like celebrating anything,” told us a man who was walking through Plaza La Pastora, who preferred to withhold his name.
This contrast between joy and frustration reflects the emotional state of many Venezuelans: grateful for spiritual recognition, but struck by a reality that prevents them from celebrating it as they would like.
“This is the only way for them to dedicate themselves to fixing the streets and things, just because there is an event, because they don’t do anything about the rest,” said a man from Caracas.
This Wednesday the 15th, workers were still seen making repairs at iconic sites of the celebration. Plaza La Pastora, the house of Dr. José Gregorio Hernández and Plaza La Candelaria were closed for remodeling work. The workers carried out cleaning, painting and rehabilitation work on the facades of the churches, as well as the new sculpture by José Gregorio that will be exhibited in the center of the Plaza de La Candelaria.
The canonization of José Gregorio Hernández and mother Carmen Rendiles is, without a doubt, a historic moment, however, for many, it will be lived in silence and between prayers, mixing hope with resignation.
*Read also: National devotion: temples will honor the first two Venezuelan saints
Some of the people consulted by SuchWhich They avoided answering what the canonization of the first two saints means and their expectations, as they argued that they were afraid of going to prison for expressing their opinion.
«Yes, there is joy because they are two Venezuelan saints who are going to be canonized, but who celebrates something with the situation in Venezuela like this? All we have to do is pray, said a lady in Plaza La Candelaria.
The Archdiocese of Caracas has organized vigils, processions and liturgical events that will begin on the night of Saturday, October 18 throughout the country. In Caracas, there will be activities in different parishes, but the central commemoration will be concentrated in the Nuestra Señora de La Candelaria Church, where the remains of José Gregorio Hernández rest.
Subsequently, the Catholic Church organizes a great national commemoration for October 25 at the Simón Bolívar Monumental Stadium.
*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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