Vigil in Venezuela for the canonization of José Gregorio and Mother Carmen

With overflowing joy and hope, thousands of Caracas residents gathered at dawn on October 19 at the Church of Our Lady of Candelaria, to continue the canonization mass of 7 new saintsamong them the first two from Venezuela.

The mortal remains of San José Gregorio Hernández rest in the Sanctuary of La Candelaria, registered in the Catalog of Saints this Sunday along with Santa Carmen Rendiles. From this historic temple, several of the young Venezuelans present shared with ACI Prensa their impressions of witnessing this event of great relevance for the country.

“Today I feel such immense joy in my heart,” said Adriana Figueroa. For this young woman, the testimony of both saints allows her to “look toward the future and walk towards holiness.”

“I feel that they fill us and motivate us to think that in Venezuela there are good people and that we can be saints like them. We, the young people, are much more motivated because now we see ourselves reflected in two Venezuelans, who were born in this land and who are now saints,” commented Figueroa.

Throughout the night, the capital’s faithful enjoyed various cultural and musical activities organized by the Archdiocese of Caracas. In addition, inside the church, a Holy Hour and the recitation of the Holy Rosary and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy took place. Then the canonization ceremony was broadcast live on a giant screen, which began at 4:00 am (local time).

“I am a living miracle of Saint José Gregorio Hernández,” expressed José Ignacio Guarino. A faithful devotee of the “doctor of the poor,” he said that his mother had “an attempted abortion” during pregnancy, promising to name her son after the now saint if he had the grace to be born without any health problems.

Guarino pointed out that canonization “is a way to unite us all from faith, from action and from conviction.” The Caracas devotee also highlighted the importance of Saint José Gregorio’s professional career for Venezuela, with which he did good whenever possible.

“There are several messages for us, Venezuelans,” he commented. “This was a great wish that all Venezuelans had,” he added.

Another young man from Caracas, Francisco Contramaestre, expressed his joy at being able to accompany the Venezuelan Church in this very special moment. “They were a testimony of love, a testimony of faith, a testimony of encounter; especially in these difficult times for the country,” he indicated.

“I believe that it is the right time for the Lord to give us the grace of having these two Venezuelan saints. They are a testimony of perseverance and struggle. I think it is important for us young people to understand that many times God’s ways are different from the ones we want,” Contramaestre said.

The figure of Mother Carmen and José Gregorio transcends religiosity because they have also become a symbol of kindness, service to others and citizenship, not only for Catholics but for all the people of Venezuela.

“This message is very powerful because it crosses borders. We are observing it right now in Rome, we also see it with the different stories and testimonies that I have been able to hear here. I want to live this experience very closely with the people, because they are the ones who live that essence that José Gregorio Hernández transmits with his legacy, just like Mother Carmen Rendiles,” assured Andry Márquez.

The young Venezuelan assured that these saints “represent union, hope, sacrifice in many aspects,” and said that their legacy “invites us to reflect to unite and transform” the reality of the country.

Until dawn, thousands of Caracas residents remained in the Church of La Candelaria, accompanying their compatriots today elevated to the dignity of the altars and thanking the Lord with all their hearts for this enormous grace that will be remembered for generations.