Bishop highlights the canonization of José Gregorio Hernández and Carmen Rendiles

The Archdiocese of Caracas, at a press conference this June 13, expressed its joy for the announcement of the date of canonization of the First two Venezuelan saintsJosé Gregorio Hernández and Mother Carmen Rendiles. Mons. Carlos Márquez, auxiliary bishop of Caracas, said that these two illustrious characters “are the pride of Venezuela.”

“José Gregorio Hernández and Mother Carmen Rendiles are the pride of Venezuela, they are the pride of Venezuelans. It is what it means to be truly Venezuelans. They are the icon of Venezuelan. They show greatness, honesty, love, service and joy of being Venezuelans. They are an example for everyone and drive us to have hope,” said Mons. Márquez.

“They drive us and question us so that all Venezuelans live in the encounter. No one is excluded from the joy and pride of this canonization,” he added from the parish of Our Lady of the Candelaria, where the remains of the “doctor of the poor.”

When consulted by ACI Press on how new saints can serve for the reconciliation and unity of the country, the Archbishop of Caracas, Mons. Raúl Biord Castillo, highlighted three fundamental values ​​of the campaign Saints for all:

The campaign, explained the archbishop, is aimed at generating esperanza In all Venezuelans, in promoting the meeting with God and with the brothers and inspire with him example by José Gregorio and Madre Carmen, inviting everyone to continue and imitate his testimony of Christian life.

“We in Venezuela can become what José Gregorio and Madre Carmen are, who overcame a lot of difficulties,” said Mons. Biord. “How beautiful that we can say today that in all newspapers in America and the entire world, Venezuela appears on the first page with good news,” he added.

“Many times here in Venezuela and our migrant brothers we have been subject to xenophobia and criticism. It may be that a few have behaved badly, but the vast majority of the millions of migrants who are out day by day work and give an example of being Catholics. We have hope to become a beautiful and great Venezuela,” said the Caracas Archbishop.

Mons. Biord remarked that the first saints of the country transcend the “economic, social, political and religious barriers.” In addition, he said that “it is time for everyone in Venezuela to put the common good on private interests. José Gregorio belongs to everyone and also Mother Carmen.”

Activities in Venezuela to celebrate canonizations

On October 17, two days before the canonizations in the Plaza de San Pedro del Vaticano, a symposium will be held at the Pontifical Latin University of Rome “to honor our saints,” said Mons. Biord.

On October 20, one day after the ceremony, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, secretary of state of the Vatican, will celebrate a mass for pilgrim Venezuelans in Rome.

In Venezuela, specifically in Caracas, “a massive mass will take place to thank God.” The Archbishop commented that the place is not yet defined, although some options are already handled. In this celebration, he continued, some foreign bishops who have expressed their intention to attend will participate.

Since October 26, all the dioceses of the country will have special activities to celebrate this event, especially the Diocese of Trujillo, where the town of Isnotu is located, place of birth of Dr. José Gregorio Hernández in the Venezuelan Andes.

Mons. Biord also announced that a new website on today is available today José Gregorio Hernándezwhich joins the official website of the Mother Carmen Rendileswhose purpose is to offer “a space dedicated to your life and work.”

In addition, the premiere of an audiovisual series was announced called Road of Holiness“That explores the life of these two Venezuelan saints.” The production will be available on YouTube from June 29.