Dr. José Gregorio Hernández and Sister Carmen Rendiles were officially declared Saints by the Vatican in a ceremony presided by Pope Leo XIV on Sunday, marking the first Venezuelans to be canonized.

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A holy Mass was conducted in front of Saint Peter’s Basilica as a choir sang “Veni Creator Spiritus,” a hymn whose lyrics call upon the Holy Spirit to visit the hearts of the faithful and fill them with grace and love.

Across Venezuela, vigils were held ahead of the event to celebrate this historic moment, including in Saint Gregorio’s hometown of Isnotú. President Nicolás Maduro and Vice President Delcy Rodríguez took part in the celebrations.

Vice President Rodríguez said on Saturday that the canonization of Dr. José Gregorio Hernández and Sister Carmen Rendiles comes at a time of “deep unity” in the country.

“Those miserable people who try to politicize a sanctification process born of so much sacrifice are completely cast aside (…) Despite the threats, our people stand firm,” Rodríguez said outside La Candelaria Church, where Hernández’s remains rest, during a broadcast on the state channel Venezolana de Televisión (VTV).

José Gregorio Hernández Cisneros (1864–1919) was a Venezuelan physician, scientist, professor, and devout Catholic whose life combined faith with a commitment to medicine and service. After further scientific studies in Paris, he introduced modern medical practices and established the first bacteriology laboratory in Venezuela.

Known for his humility and charity, he dedicated his life to teaching and offering medical care to the dispossessed, earning the affectionate title “The Doctor of the Poor.” Though he twice attempted to pursue a religious vocation in Europe, health and circumstance brought him back to Venezuela, where he continued his academic and medical work. He died tragically in 1919 after being struck by a car in Caracas.

Admired for his integrity, compassion, and devotion to others, he became a national symbol of faith and solidarity, and his legacy later led to his beatification and canonization in the Catholic Church.

Carmen Rendiles Martínez (1903–1977) was a Venezuelan Catholic nun known for her deep faith, humility, and lifelong service to others. Born in Caracas and missing her left arm from birth, she faced adversity with determination and embraced a religious vocation in 1927. She later founded the Congregation of the Servants of Jesus in Venezuela, serving as its first Superior General. Her life was dedicated to prayer, education, and helping those in need.

After her death, two miraculous healings were attributed to her intercession: the recovery of Dr. Trinette Durán from a severe arm injury in 2003 and the sudden healing of Fabiola de Abreu from a life-threatening illness in 2018. These miracles led to her beatification in 2018 and her canonization in 2025, making her the first Venezuelan woman to be declared a saint.

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