Doctor of science-faith alliance to be canonized

Pope Francis has paved the way for the advancement of various canonization causes, authorizing the further veneration of some remarkable figures. Among them is now Venerable Fr. Emil Kapaun, a U.S. military chaplain who gave his life in a Korean War prison camp, and Bartolo Longo, a former skeptic turned “Apostle of the Rosary," who will be canonized. Another stands out for his quiet yet profound impact on the world: Blessed José Gregorio Hernández.

A doctor, scientist, and man of deep faith, José Gregorio is known as the “Doctor of the Poor” in his native Venezuela. His life was an extraordinary fusion of medical expertise, charity, and holiness — an example of how science and faith, intellect and compassion, can work together for the good of others.

José Gregorio Hernández Cisneros was born on October 26, 1864, in the small town of Isnotú, Venezuela. From a young age, he displayed an exceptional intellect and a deep desire to serve. He pursued medicine, studying in Caracas before continuing his education in Paris, Madrid, and Naples, where he specialized in bacteriology, an emerging field at the time.

His medical career was groundbreaking. He introduced modern medical practices to Venezuela, trained future doctors, and helped establish the country’s first laboratory of experimental physiology. Yet, for all his brilliance, his heart remained with the poor. While he could have built a lucrative practice, he instead dedicated himself to treating those who could not afford care, often refusing payment and even buying medicine for his patients.

Beyond medicine, José Gregorio was a man of profound spirituality. He considered joining the priesthood on several occasions (he even tried becoming a Carthusian monk) but ultimately realized that his true vocation was to serve God through medicine. His life embodied what Pope Francis calls the “holiness of the ordinary” — a life of work, sacrifice, and devotion lived out in daily tasks.

Like the Desert Fathers, who would spend years meditating on a single verse of Scripture to grasp the fullness of divine truth, José Gregorio found the face of Christ in each patient he treated.

He also understood the suffering of his country. Venezuela, at the time, was marked by political instability and hardship. Yet, instead of withdrawing, he engaged. He saw medicine as a mission of peace, often speaking about the need for unity, kindness, and moral responsibility in public life.

On June 29, 1919, José Gregorio went out to buy medicine for an elderly woman in need. As he crossed the street in Caracas, he was struck by a car. He died shortly afterward, leaving behind a grieving nation.

But his story did not end there. Almost immediately, the people of Venezuela began to venerate him, convinced of his sanctity. Over the decades, countless testimonies emerged of miraculous healings attributed to his intercession. In 2020, Pope Francis recognized one such miracle, leading to his beatification. And now, with his upcoming canonization, the world officially recognizes what the people of Venezuela have known for over a century: José Gregorio Hernández is a saint.

In an era when faith and science are still seen as opposing forces, José Gregorio stands as a bridge. He reminds us that knowledge should serve love, and expertise should be placed at the service of the most vulnerable. He also challenges us to make our work — whatever it may be — an act of holiness.

His canonization is not just a recognition of his past. It is an invitation for the present. The world today, like the world he lived in, is fractured and in need of healing. Perhaps, like José Gregorio, we are called to be healers — not necessarily with medicine, but with kindness, justice, and faithfulness to our own mission.

Saints are not distant figures of the past. They are signposts for the present, showing us what is possible when we anchor ourselves in love. And now, with José Gregorio Hernández officially joining their ranks, we have one more light to follow.