Born in 1840 in the province of Córdoba (Argentina), José Gabriel del Rosario Brochero was a priest who was always close to the people, especially those most in need, the poor and the sick. While assisting lepers, he contracted the disease from sharing mate.
He had enormous devotion to the Blessed Virgin, whom he called “My Most Pure One”, and maintained an unwavering fidelity to the Eucharist, which he celebrated until his last days “by memory”, since he had lost his vision.
He died on January 26, 1914 at the age of 74, leaving an immeasurable legacy in the Church in Argentina and an example of a priestly vocation, which made him the patron of the clergy. He was proclaimed a saint by Pope Francis on October 16, 2016. Recently he was declared patron of the province of Córdoba.