21 Facts About Alberto Hurtado

Alberto Hurtado founded the Hogar de Cristo foundation in 1944.

Alberto Hurtado was born in Vina del Mar, Chile, on January 22,1901, to an aristocratic family.

From an early age, Alberto Hurtado experienced what it meant to be poor and without a home.

Alberto Hurtado was ordained a priest there on August 24,1933, and in 1935 he obtained a doctorate in pedagogy and psychology.

Alberto Hurtado returned to Chile in January 1936 and took up his post as professor of religion at Colegio San Ignacio and of Pedagogy at the Catholic University of Santiago.

Alberto Hurtado was entrusted with the Sodality of Our Lady for the students, and he involved them in teaching catechism to the poor.

Alberto Hurtado criticized the quality of catechism instruction offered in Chile and wrote that young men often signed up as catechists but lacked the necessary certificate.

In 1940, Alberto Hurtado was appointed diocesan director of the Catholic Action youth movement and he served as its national director from 1941 to 1944.

Alberto Hurtado advocated an increase in the number of priests and better education for them.

The book was heavily criticised by more conservative Catholics, who accused Alberto Hurtado of being a Communist.

Alberto Hurtado's shelters, called Hogar de Cristo, took in all children in need of food and shelter, abandoned or not.

Alberto Hurtado purchased a 1946 green pickup truck and monitored the streets at night to help those in need that he could reach.

Alberto Hurtado wrote three books: Social Humanism, The Christian Social Order and Trade Unions.

Alberto Hurtado served as a confessor to the Falange Nacional, the precursor to the modern Christian Democratic Party.

Alberto Hurtado published numerous articles and books on labor issues in relation to the Catholic faith.

Deeply spiritual, Alberto Hurtado was untiring in his work for the workers and the youth, combining intellectual reflection and practical actions.

In 1952, Alberto Hurtado was stricken with intense pain and rushed to the hospital.

Alberto Hurtado was beatified on October 16,1994, by Pope John Paul II and canonized by Pope Benedict XVI on October 23,2005.

Alberto Hurtado was one of the first people to be elevated to sainthood during the papacy of Pope Benedict XVI; he was the second Chilean saint, after Teresa of Los Andes.

Alberto Hurtado is one of the most popular and cherished saints in his country, Chile.

Clotario Blest, who like Alberto Hurtado was intellectually indebted to Fernando Vives, is reported to have distanced himself from Alberto Hurtado.