José Gregorio Hernández, the “Doctor of the Poor,” was recognized as a saint by the Vatican after decades of being venerated as miraculous by the people of Venezuela. In this series, our team explores his legacy and traces his influence today. teleSUR
00:00José Gregorio Hernández, the doctor of the poor, who became a saint recognized by the Vatican because of the people of Venezuela have venerated him as miraculous for decades, we present this series in which our team searches for his footprints.
00:15Caracas, the city where a young José Gregorio Hernández, arrived at the age of only 13 on April 9, 1889, after a long and complicated journey from into his village, Isno 2.
00:32To get here, you have to go from La Guira to Curacao, from Curacao to Maracaibo, from Maracaibo to La Saiba, which is our port, and from La Saiba, here in horse or by cart because the train wasn't running yet.
00:45He studied high school and then medicine in Caracas. José Gregorio, also walked these halls at the Vargas Hospital.
00:54There, there you can find José Gregorio Hernández, in every resident studying at midnight, in every resident seeing patients, in every student taking laboratory samples, there is José Gregorio Hernández, that is the spirit, selfless for the patients.
01:11But calling that a century later, this time from heaven, his devotees say, he seems to continue practicing with hundreds of patients who invoke him and doctors who astonishably accept his miraculous favors.
01:27I would tell you that miracles do exist, here I am, the one who was shot in the head, here I am.
01:34From a scientific point of view, there is no explanation for Yaxuri's total recovery.
01:42It is, let's say, like the legalization of the saint, because for us Venezuelans it already was.
01:51And yes, it is true. All of Venezuela is preparing for his canonization now at the altars of the Vatican.
02:00The fact is that this mural ceased to be a mural over time, and became a shrine many years ago.
02:09Mervin hurries. The tropical rain washes away these traces that began 20 years ago on the corner of Amadores de la Pastora in Caracas,
02:20where José Gregorio was fatally hit by a car in 1919, and where hundreds of devotees arrive today.
02:27I really wanted to come and visit here, because I hadn't been here before, right?
02:36I mean, my son told me he was going to bring me. I've been devoted since I was a child.
02:41I always heard my mother say that Dr. José Gregorio was so good, and I've always been devoted to him.
02:47It's beautiful, and we went to the museum, which is also beautiful, precious.
02:54Yes. A few blocks away is the museum where his home and office once stood.
03:01There, the vestiges of the past blend with modern enthusiasm.
03:05Everyone brings something different, each with their own concept. This is amazing. It really is something different for everyone.
03:16Maria Eugenia is moved. She is also expressing her gratitude.
03:22And now, six years later, I feel blessed. I am blessed because José Gregorio Hernandez was always there, always by my bedside, holding my hand.
03:41Like her, hundreds arrive at the procession that inaugurates weeks of religious jubilation prior to the canonization.
03:50For me, he is already Saint Gregorio. Ever since I can remember, I am 83 years old, and I am going to Isnotu. What do you think about that?
04:00The journey is no longer by Mueller boat, but Isnotu is far from Caracas, where the Andes begin and from where Gregorio set out as he signed his letters.
04:12As he also signed his letters.
04:14As he signed his letters, he is now converted into the santo of the people that comes to the altar.
04:20Luisani Gómez, Gustavo Flores y Paola Dragnic Telesur, Venezuela.
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