Father Alberto Hurtado

Father Alberto Hurtado

During his trip to Chile in 1987, Pope John Paul II uttered these hope-filled words: «Can the Holy Spirit raise up in our day apostles of the caliber of Father Hurtado, who manifest the vitality of the Church through their heroic example of charity? We are convinced He can, and ask this of Him with faith.»

Alberto Hurtado Cruchaga was born on January 22, 1901, in Viña del Mar, Chile. He was just four years old when his father died. His mother, Ana, plunged into distress by this sudden widowhood that left her without means, took refuge with her two sons in the capital, Santiago. Homeless, they had to go from house to house at the mercy of more or less benevolent relatives. Alberto suffered greatly from this precarious family condition. In spite of it all, he succeeded in his school and, in March 1918, began studying law at the Catholic University of Chile.

His difficult childhood deeply marked the young Alberto, for the rest of his life. He was driven to take care of the poor. He devoted himself to apostolic activities on their behalf, and became involved in politics to get government aid for them. He was, in fact, unable to see suffering or any need without seeking to relieve it. Later he wrote, «Whom should I love? All my human brothers. Suffering their failures, their miseries, oppression of which they are victims. Rejoicing over their joys. Starting by remembering all those I have met on my path. Those from whom I have received life, light, and bread. Those with whom I have shared a roof and bread…Those with whom I have fought, those I have made suffer, those I have disappointed, those I have wronged... All those I have helped, aided, to whom I could lend a strong hand... Those who were against me, scorned me, wronged me... All those who live in my city, in my country... All in the world are my brothers.

But not everyone understood Father Hurtado's zeal. He was accused of not submitting to the hierarchy, of having excessively advanced ideas in the social domain, as well as being too independent from other branches. In particular, the general chaplain for youth opposed him. In November 1944, Father Hurtado decided it best to resign from his position as chaplain which caused him deep suffering, but the Holy Spirit inspires believers who honor Jesus Christ that’s why on a cold and rainy night, he met a poor man, sick and shivering, who approached him and told him he had no place to stay. Such misery made him shudder.

A few days later, in preaching a retreat to a group of ladies, he spoke about the Holy Spirit and the poverty that pervaded Santiago: «Christ is wandering in our streets in the person of so many poor, suffering and sick, thrown out of their miserable hovels... Christ has no home! Couldn't we offer Him one, we who are able to have a comfortable home, plenty of food, the means to educate our children and ensure their future?

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