MARY AND THE SAINTS 87
ians visit his chapels and shrines each year.
Born in northern Mexico in 1873, Teresita Urrea, La
Santa de Cabora, fell seriously ill as a teenager and had a
series of religious visions. When she recovered, Teresita
began healing hundreds of patients a day by laying her
hands on them. She also spoke out against the oppression
and mistreatment of her fellow Yaqui and Mayo Indians.
Eventually exiled, she moved her healing practice to the
southwestern United States. Surviving at least three as-
sassination attempts, Teresita died of consumption in
- Today, the Yaqui and Mayo peoples, and women in
particular, venerate her.
Many Venezuelans in need of medical miracles appeal to
José Gregorio Hernández, a top doctor at a Caracas hospital
from the 1890s through the 1910s. A deeply religious man,
Hernández was unwell himself but ministered to the poor
without charge, even buying medicine for them. After his
death in 1919, Venezuelans who prayed to him reported be-
ing healed.
Today, his adherents place a fresh glass of water near a
lit candle in the evening and ask him to infuse the water
with any medication they might need. The next morning,
they take three sips of the water and pour out the rest on
their doorsteps. ▪