Description
Ernesto Cofiño
Book Summary
This book offers an intimate and rigorous portrait of Ernesto Cofiño, the pioneer of pediatrics in Guatemala whose life combined medical excellence, social action, and a deep Christian faith. Through the eyes of one of his children, the reader will discover the trajectory of a man who, through science and service to the most disadvantaged, became a benchmark of heroic virtue recognized by the Church. A biography that inspires through his dedication and his human and spiritual legacy.
What is it about?
The book chronicles the life of Ernesto Cofiño (Guatemala, 1899), from his medical training at the Sorbonne, where he was awarded the Silver Medal for his doctoral thesis, to his recognition as the "Father of Guatemalan Pediatrics." Written by one of his children, the work covers his career as a professor, his time at the Mayo Clinic and Duke University, and his international recognition with the French Legion of Honor. Beyond his professional career, it delves into his social commitment: he founded care centers for street children and promoted training initiatives for farmers and underprivileged women. It also addresses his spiritual facet as the first supernumerary of Opus Dei in Central America, culminating in the recognition of his heroic virtues by Pope Francis in 2023, a step in his canonization process.
Main themes
- Biography of a humanist physician and scientist.
- Vocation of service to the most needy through medicine and education.
- Integration of Christian faith and professional excellence in daily life.
- History of pediatrics and social welfare in Guatemala.
- Canonization process and recognition of heroic virtues.
Who is it recommended for?
This book is aimed at readers interested in biographies of exemplary 20th-century figures, especially in the fields of medicine, philanthropy, and Christian spirituality. It will also be of great interest to those who wish to learn about the history of Opus Dei in Central America and to healthcare or social work professionals seeking models of dedication and ethical commitment.
What this book offers
- Detailed knowledge of the life and work of a key figure in Latin American pediatrics.
- A testimony of how professional excellence and faith can converge in a coherent and transformative life project.
- A close and human vision, narrated from a family perspective, of a process of sainthood recognized by the Church.
- Inspiration for understanding the social impact of individual initiative in service to the most vulnerable.
Technical specifications
- Author: COFIÑO, JOSE LUIS; CEJAS ARROYO, JOSE MIG
- Publisher: EDICIONES RIALP S.A.
- Language: Spanish
- Subject: BIOGRAPHY: RELIGIOUS AND SPIRITUAL
- Collection: BOOKS ABOUT OPUS DEI
- Binding: Paperback
- Publication date: March 2024
- Number of pages: 234
- Weight: 322 g
Editorial review
This is a well-documented and intimate biography that succeeds in balancing historical rigor with the warmth of family testimony. The work is particularly valuable for those seeking models of lay holiness and social commitment through science. It is recommended reading both for followers of Opus Dei and for anyone interested in figures who have left a lasting mark on medicine and social welfare in Guatemala.