Pope Francis approves canonization of José Gregorio Hernández

Although his state of health is still critical, Pope Francis continues to work from the Gemelli Hospital. On Monday afternoon, after the report of the doctors about a “slight improvement”, the Pontiff received the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, already Mons. Edgar Peña Parra, a substitute for the general affairs of the Secretariat of state

The reason for this audience has been released on Tuesday: the Holy Father has authorized the decrees of five servants of God and has approved the canonization of Venezuelan blessed José Gregorio Hernández and the Italian Bartolo Longo.

After this unexpected visit to the hospital, the second that Pope Francis receives since he met privately with Giorgia Meloni, these two blessed are already on their way to the altars. The Pontiff has also decided to convene a town hall that will deal with both canonizations, although the exact date has not been specified.

Blessed José Gregorio Hernández, the “doctor of the poor”

The Venezuelan blessed, known as “The Poor’s doctor”, dedicated hours to serve the most needy. In fact, he died hit on June 29, 1919 while crossing the street to buy medicines for an old woman.

Pope Francis dedicated a catechesis From the general audience to this lay and future saint, in which he affirmed that “charity was the polar star that guided” its existence. He also defined it as a “good and radiant, cheerful” person, who was endowed with a “strong intelligence.”

Born on October 26, 1864 in the small peasant town of Isnotu, in the state of Trujillo (Venezuela), it was for Pope Francis a saint who, “to the richness of money, preferred that of the Gospel, spending its existence for help the needy. ”

In addition, the Pontiff exalted the enthusiasm and apostolic zeal of Blessed José Hernández, who came from grace and intimacy with God.

Was beatified On April 30, 2021 at the Church of the La Salle de Caracas College (Venezuela), at a Mass chaired by the Apostolic Nuncio in Venezuela, Mons. Aldo Giordano.

Blessed Bartolo Longo, from spiritualist to Apostle of the Rosary

Blessed Bartolo Longo was An Italian layman and lawyerfounder of the Sanctuary of the Virgen del Rosario de Pompeya (Italy). Fervent catechist and man dedicated to attending the most needy, is recognized as one of the greatest diffusers of the devotion of the Holy Rosary in the twentieth century.

In his youth, Bartolo was involved with the world of militant atheism, which led him to spiritualism, infected by the anti -Christian fashions of his time. He lived like this until he finally let God touch his heart, returning to the Christian faith in a definitive way.

In her conversion process, the Virgin Mary played a decisive role, to the point that she would become the source of inspiration for her life. Not by chance, Bartolo was called “The man of the Virgin” by Pope San John Paul II.

Pope Francis approves the “offering of life” of two servants of God

In addition, Pope Francis has recognized the offering of the life of the servant of God Emilio Giuseppe Kapaun, diocesan priest, born on April 20, 1916 in Pilsen (Kansas, United States) and died on May 23, 1951 in the field of Prisoners of Pyokton (North Korea).

He has also confirmed the offering of the life of the servant of God except d’Acququoto, faithful layman, born in Naples on October 15, 1920 and died in Palidoro (Italy) on September 23, 1943. D’Acququo was sacrificed to save The life of 22 people and was shot by the Nazis.

Three new venerables: a Spanish priest, an Italian priest and a Polish secular

For his part, he has authorized the heroic virtues of the Servant of God Michele Maura Montaner, diocesan priest and founder of the Congregation of the Celing Sisters of the Eucharistic Cult, born in Palma de Mallorca (Spain) on September 6, 1843 and died there the September 19, 1915.

Also the heroic virtues of the Servant of God Didaco Bessi, Diocesan Priest, founder of the Congregation of the Dominican Sisters of Santa María del Rosario, born on February 5, 1856 in Iolo (Italy) and died there on May 25, 1919.

Finally, the Holy Father has validated the heroic virtues of the Servant of God CuneGunda Siwiec, faithful Laica, born on May 28, 1876 in Stryszawa – Siwcówka (Poland) and died in the same city on June 27, 1955.

The approval of the heroic virtues of God’s servants assumes that, from now on, they may be called venerable, for having lived in heroic degree, hope and charity. After this decision of Pope Francis, the new venerables are waiting for a miracle to proceed to beatification.