Story Highlights
- Historical event:
- 18 August 1952
- An important institution founded by St. Albert Hurtado was called the “Hogar de Cristo” (Christ’s Home). It was a shelter for abandoned children, and all other children who needed a home and food. St. Albert Hurtado was also known for buying a green pickup truck, which he used to patrol the streets at night in order to help abandoned children.
St. Albert Hurtado, a Chilean saint who fought for the welfare of young and socially endangered people, died on this day in 1952.
St. Albert Hurtado was born in the city of Viña del Mar, located in central Chile, at the Pacific coast. He joined the Jesuit Order, and it is interesting that he attained a PhD in pedagogy and psychology and graduated law.
Therefore, apart from his theological education, he possessed a very broad education in the social sciences.
In 1940, St. Albert Hurtado became the head of the Catholic Action in his diocese. He founded an important institution called the “Hogar de Cristo” (Christ’s Home). It was a shelter for abandoned children, and all other children who needed a home and food.
The concept became very successful and spread across Chile. Apparently, around 850,000 children received some sort of assistance from that movement during his life.
St. Albert Hurtado was also known for buying a green pickup truck, which he used to patrol the streets at night in order to help abandoned children. He was also active in the area of workers’ rights. He became a sort of hero in Chile, and attracted many to his faith.
He died on this day in Santiago, the capital of Chile, at the age of 51, from pancreas cancer. Pope St. John Paul II declared him a Blessed, and pope Benedict XVI a saint of the Catholic Church.
