Cardinal Baltazar Porras, Archbishop Emeritus of Caracas, referred to the recent approval of the Canonization of the Blessed Carmen Rendiles and José Gregorio Hernández, stating that this 2025 is emerging as the most impressive year in the history of the Catholic Church in Venezuela.
“I think this is the tip of the iceberg of what has been and what is the life of the Church in Venezuela,” said Cardinal Porras in an interview with the Venezuelan regional newspaper The impulse.
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Archbishop Emeritus said that the elevation to the altars of these two characters can serve to reflect on the bad concept that many Venezuelans have of themselves: “We are not worth anything, that we have no moral values and principles.”
José Gregorio Hernández, said the cardinal, was born “in a separate province” but his personal situation was not an obstacle to “moving forward with what spiritual values mean, with the deep faith that make us progress both in science and in service to others.”
On Mother Carmen Rendiles, Cardinal Porras highlighted the willingness to grow every day in faith and make life itself an “example to face difficulties and overcome them.”
“In Venezuela, women demonstrate capacity, effort and sacrifices to carry out their families. In addition there is great solidarity in the population and there are different ways of helping us,” said the emeritus archbishop on what will be the first Venezuelan Holy, who was born without left arm.
“I think this is the best time for each and every Venezuelans, so that we are the builders of this country that we dream and want,” he added.
The Catholic Church is one of the institutions that enjoys the greatest credibility among Venezuelans. In the midst of such a convulsive political and social context, Cardinal Porras stressed that “the truth, honesty and work” constitute the three fundamental pillars of the apostolic action in the country.
“In difficult times we have always been next to the most vulnerable people. Our word is permanently a message of love, solidarity, approach to all people, without exception,” he said.
“And we try at all times that difficulties do not overwhelm anyone, because we have the faith and hope that God will provide us with what is necessary and we can live without anxiety. We are a noble, kind and sincere people, which has its permanent support in the Catholic Church,” added the cardinal.
Finally, he said that the various authorities and instances of the local Catholic Church already work so that the canonization of the two blessed is “a great spiritual party for all Catholics in our country.”
Who are Blessed Carmen Rendiles and José Gregorio Hernández?
Carmen Rendiles Martínez was born in 1903 in Caracas (Venezuela). In 1927 he entered the French congregation of the Servants of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.
He distinguished himself by his immense goodness and wise prudence. In the 50s he guided the process of re -founding his congregation, until in 1965 the Holy See approved the new Venezuelan Foundation by calling it “Servants of Jesus.”
Mother Carmen died in 1977 and on December 21, 2017 Pope Francis recognized the authenticity of a miracle made by her intercession, which occurred in Caracas on July 18, 2003, verifying the instant healing of a serious injury to the right arm of a Venezuelan doctor. It was beatified in the capital of the country, on June 17, 2018.
José Gregorio Hernández was born on October 26, 1864 in the small peasant town of Isnotu, in the Trujillo state (Venezuela). For Pope Francis, he was a saint who “to the richness of money, preferred that of the Gospel, spending his existence to help those in need.”
In addition, the Pontiff exalted the enthusiasm and apostolic zeal of Blessed José Gregorio Hernández, who came from grace and intimacy with God.
It was beatified on April 30, 2021 at the Church of La Salle Salle de Caracas, at a Mass chaired by the Apostolic Nuncio in Venezuela, Mons. Aldo Giordano.
Andrés Henríquez
I am a writer for ACI Press and correspondent of EWTN since 2023. Since then, I cover events of the Catholic Church in Venezuela and Latin America. I have more than 5 years of experience in bilingual media. In addition, in Venezuela I have worked with non -governmental organizations for freedom and respect for human rights in the country. I am a member of the Regnum Christi Federation since 2014.