Saint Alberto Hurtado

Hello Everyone!

Today, I would like to talk about one of the Greatest Chilean of all the times.  He is Alberto Hurtado. His complete name is Luis Alberto Miguel Hurtado Cruchaga. He was born in Viña del Mar on January 22, 1901. He belonged to an aristocratic family of Basque origin.

He studied laws in Universidad Católica, and he graduated in 1923. This same year, he entered to the Jesuit Novitiate. In 1933, he was ordained priest.

The objective of his job was to bring the Church to the younger and poor people. His preoccupation for the poor people generated the creation of Hogar de Cristo, in 1944. It is a benefic foundation that is worry of the people who live in street situation. Nowadays, it is one of the most important benefic foundations in Chile, because Hogar de Cristo also help to elderly, people addicted to drugs and terminally ills.

Padre Hurtado, was very recognized for his green pickup truck, because in this vehicle, he rescued a lot of child and poor from the bank on Mapocho River. Nowadays, the green pickup truck is a great symbol of his work.

Alberto Hutado died in Santiago, on August 18, 1952, because of a pancreatic cancer. After his death, he was beatified by Pope John Paul II, on October 16, 1994, after to recognized him, the miracle of María Cabezas that was cured of a cerebral tumor.

 On October 23, 2005, he was canonized by Pope Benedict XVI, in a big Mass in Saint Peter Square. He is the second Chilean Saint, after Saint Teresa de los Andes.

If I could to say anything to Padre Hurtado, I would like to show how his work is very important nowadays in Chile.

It’s all for today!

Bye!