Story Highlights
- Historical event
- 29 June 1919
- Catholic Church began the process of his beatification. Dr. Hernández reportedly bought medicines with his own money for those who could not afford them. On this day, while bringing medicine to a patient, he was hit by a car, which caused his death.
On this day, while bringing medicine to one of his patients, Venerable José Gregorio Hernández, doctor from Venezuela, was killed.
Dr. Hernandez was hit by a car causing his death. Today, Dr. Hernandez’s good deeds are remembered in Venezuela, and the Catholic Church initiated the process for his beatification (he is currently titled Venerable, Latin: Venerabilis).
José Gregorio Hernández was born in the small town of Isnotú in Venezuela in 1864. He was educated for a physician and became a medical doctor.
In Europe, he retrospectively studied in the fields of bacteriology, pathology, histology and physiology. He also received theological education in Italy.
In Venezuela, he worked as a doctor, and reportedly treated the poor for free. Indeed, he apparently bought medicines with his own money for those who could not afford them.
Just as he was bringing medicine to a patient of his, he was hit by a car in the Venezuelan capital of Caracas precisely on this day.
After death, people have begun to worship him, believing in his help. Accordingly, Catholic Church began the process of his beatification.
Interestingly, Venerable José Gregorio Hernández was also a member of the Secular Franciscan Order (Ordo franciscanus Saecularis).
