José Gregorio Hernandez-Cisneros was born in Venezuela in 1864. His father sold medicine and livestock, and his mother, a housekeeper, taught him virtue and charity from the cradle. She encouraged José to be a doctor, and he did. He then became a professor and also became a third order Franciscan. His heart grew restless and he gave up his professorship and tried several times to enter religious life, but each time he grew ill and was forced to return home. José decided it was God’s will for him to remain a celibate layman. He continued to work as a doctor, and tended the poor and sick, often for free. After daily Mass one morning, José was delivering medicine to an elderly patient when he was hit by a car at the age of 54.
CHALLENGE
Blessed José Gregorio Hernandez-Cisneros didn’t leave behind a religious order or a stack of theological texts, but instead, he left behind a mountain of good works. Everyone can be a saint if they live a life of virtue and charity. Today, prayerfully consider your virtues and vices. What virtue do you need to work on the most? How can you express it through acts of charity?
All Saints’ Day is right around the corner! The Saint Challenge restarts on All Saints’ Day, and a print copy of The Saint Challenge is a great companion for a year of challenges and a lifetime of living the faith. Buy your copy today then challenge a friend to join you!
