Saint Who?
Saints Who Were Scientists
Blessed José Gregorio Hernández-Cisneros
Layman († 1919) Feast: October 26
José Gregorio Hernández-Cisneros was born in Venezuela in 1864. He had a sunny disposition and was very devout, thanks to his good mother. “My mother,” he recalled, “taught me virtue from the time I was in a crib, made me grow in the knowledge of God, and gave me charity as my guide.” José wanted to study law, but his father persuaded him to study medicine instead.
After earning a medical degree in Venezuela, he obtained a government grant for further study in Paris. Here he specialized in histology (microscopic study of tissue and organs), experimental physiology, and bacteriology. When he returned home, he held chairs in these subjects at the University of Caracas. He was also committed to caring for patients, especially the poor. Deeply prayerful, and specially devoted to the Eucharist, he is remembered as an “apostle of charity” and a “missionary of hope.”
At thirty-five, José joined the Secular Franciscans, and several years later decided to enter religious life. But after three attempts, stymied by either poor health or the pleas of his patients and colleagues, he returned to the medical field. As World War I raged, José prayed earnestly for peace, offering himself as a victim for that intention. The day after the Versailles peace treaty was signed, he was struck by a car and died of his injuries.
Beloved Lord, grant to all doctors the mercy
and peace which Blessed José Gregorio drew
from your Eucharistic presence.
