Saint of the Month - July 2025: Blessed Carlos Manuel Rodríguez

Bl. Carlos Manuel Rodríguez

A Life of Faith & Liturgical Renewal

Memorial: July 13th

This month I share a holy role-model who most of the Laity can sink their teeth into.  His life perfectly represents the concept of holiness in daily ordinary circumstances that we can all aspire to.

+ Early Life and Spiritual Formation +

Born Carlos Manuel Cecilio Rodríguez Santiago on November 22, 1918, in Caguas, Puerto Rico, he was the second of five children in a deeply pious family who simply called him Charlie.  His parents, Manuel and Herminia Rodríguez, instilled in him a strong faith from an early age.  He was baptized in the Sweet Name of Jesus Church on May 4, 1919, a parish that would remain prominent to his spiritual life.

Charlie’s childhood was marked by both joy and hardship.  In 1925, a devastating fire destroyed his family’s home and business, forcing them to live with his maternal grandparents.  In addition, he had a traumatic encounter with a vicious dog that resulted in him developing a serious digestive disorder.  Despite these challenges, he remained deeply committed to his faith, which steadily evolved into a profound love for the Eucharist and the Liturgy.  His grandmother, Alejandrina Esterás, played a significant role in shaping his spiritual outlook, teaching him the importance of prayer and devotion.

+ Education and Early Challenges +

Young Charlie attended Colegio Católico Notre Dame, where he excelled academically, particularly in religious studies.  However, his aspirations to become a priest were hindered by ulcerative colitis, which caused him great suffering throughout his life.  Despite his illness, he remained dedicated to his studies and faith, eventually transferring to Gautier Benítez High School and later the Academy of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in San Juan.

His health struggles forced him to leave formal education before completing his degree, but he continued his intellectual pursuits independently.  He worked as an office clerk while dedicating his free time to Catholic catechesis and liturgical education.  His passion for the liturgical movement led him to translate and publish articles on the subject, promoting a deeper understanding of the Church’s traditions among Puerto Rican Catholics.

Bl. Carlos Manuel as a young student

(front row-center).

+ Apostolate and Liturgical Renewal +

Charlie became a key figure in the liturgical renewal movement, advocating for greater participation in the Eucharist and the Paschal Mystery.  He founded Liturgy and Christian Culture, a publication dedicated to educating Catholics about the richness of the liturgy.  His work extended beyond writing - he organized discussion groups, retreats, youth faith events, and catechetical programs, inspiring many to deepen their personal relationship with God.

Enrolling at the University of Puerto Rico in 1946, Charlie continued his personal mission of liturgical education.  He established the Círculo de Cultura Cristiana, a group dedicated to studying and promoting Catholic teachings.  His influence grew, and he became a respected mentor to students and clergy alike.

Despite his illness, the Blessed remained joyful and dedicated to his mission.  He was known for his humility, kindness, and unwavering faith, qualities that endeared him to those around him.  His motto, “We live for that night,” referred to the Easter Vigil, emphasizing the centrality of Christ’s resurrection in Christian life.

Charlie in evangelical action.

+ Final Years and Glorification +

Later diagnosed with colon cancer, Charlie’s health deteriorated in the early 1960s, but he continued his work until his passing on July 13, 1963; he was only 44-years-old.  His legacy of liturgical renewal and catechetical education left a lasting impact on in the Puerto Rico Catholic community and beyond.

Recognizing his sanctity, Pope John Paul II Beatified Carlos Manuel Rodriguez in April 2001, making him the first Puerto Rican and first Caribbean-born layperson to be beatified.  His feast day is celebrated on July 13, and he is commemorated as a patron of liturgical renewal and catechists.

Bl. Carlos Manuel’s life stands as a testament to faith, perseverance, and dedication to the Church’s liturgical traditions.  His work continues to inspire those seeking a deeper understanding of the Eucharist and the Paschal Mystery.  Let us pray for his speed Canonization.

Bl. Carlos Manuel Rodriguez,

pray for us.

Saints & Relics Presentation: Sts. Peter & Paul Church, Honolulu

Yesterday, on the Feast of the great Apostles, St. Peter & Paul, I was invited by the adult coordinators of a Youth Group to speak at their parish of Sts. Peter & Paul!  Their teens had inquired about Saints recently and the coordinators were familiar with this ministry through past presentations ... so there I was again this afternoon with 9 different relics in tow.

Today's line up of holy people/relics included St. Bernadette of Lourdes; Ven. Alexia Gonzales-Barros; the Blessed Claretian Martyrs of Barbastro; St. Damien of Molokai; Bl. Pierina Morosini; Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassatti; St. Margaret of Castello; St. Maximilian Kolbe; and St. Anthony of Padua.

Judging by the reaction and feedback from the teens and adults, the Saints again made a deep, positive impression on many of them.  I can always see it by how the audience members behave after each talk, when they're invited to approach the relic displayed to have a personal encounter with each Saint/Blessed I talked about.

Usually, their subtle facial expressions while standing in front of a relic almost seem as though they've come upon a wondrous treasure!  People pause for a bit in awe and reflection before reaching out to carefully touch the relics with their hands or with religious articles; mouths sometimes move silently, which I know is prayer ... and some are even teary-eyed during these moments of connection.  Then the cellphones come out for picture taking and to scan the QR codes I make available that link to biographies of each holy person.  It goes beyond mere curiosity.

Seeing the above reaction never gets old for me ... and it's especially encouraging to see our youth displaying such piety because I then have certainty that something that I shared about each holy person had managed to "stick" in their young hearts ... and better the Saints to have as role models than most of the superficial celebrities they tend to admire these days.

So may God bless my new Ohana in Christ at Sts. Peter & Paul Parish.  I Am looking forward to seeing them again this August for another scheduled presentation!

“... Let your face shine, that we may be saved!" - Psalm 80:7

As pictured above, we have a unique crucifix in our parish of St. Anthony of Padua Church in Kailua.  It's a carved wooden image that once hung in the prior church building that was completely burnt down back in July 1982.  The fact that this crucifix managed to remain intact and not be incinerated in that devastating fire is regarded as somewhat of a miracle by our old-timers ... and many revere it as a visible message of survival and hope from God.

This blogger personally regards the crucifix as especially holy and something remarkable happened today that confirmed it for me.  While leading our congregation in the Rosary, prior to the Saturday evening Vigil Mass, I looked up at the image and was surprised to see the suffering Holy Face of Jesus manifested on the torso of the charred corpus.  It resembled the face from the Shroud of Turin and it was so distinct I could even make out a crown of thorns!

I later snapped a few photos, which were mostly disappointing as they don't show the level of clarity I witnessed in person.  Below is the best photo out of the bunch - the face on the crucifix is still discernible.

If I recall correctly, it appeared after the third decade was completed - the Birth of Jesus - and as I was reciting the Fatima (decade) Prayer:

O my Jesus, forgive us our sins

and save us from the fires of hell.

Lead all souls to Heaven, especially

those most in need of Your mercy.

How relevant ... plus I am a long-time believer in the Holy Face Devotion and the Shroud of Turin!

ABOVE: The crucifix in St. Anthony

of Padua Church in Kailua, Oahu (the

apparition of the Holy Face is circled).

BELOW: The image (L) compared with

the Holy Face of our Lord from the

sacred Shroud of Turin (R).

"You have said, “Seek my face.”  My heart

says to you, “Your face, Lord, do I seek.”."

- Psalm 27-8

It all goes to remind us as that God is truly with us in the sanctity of our Catholic Sanctuaries - the "Holy of Holies" - and how responsive the Lord is to our prayers.  Plus, what a great affirmation of the Holy Face Devotion and the power of the Rosary Prayer.  Thanks and Praises be to God!

"And I will not hide my face anymore

from them, when I pour out my Spirit upon

the house of Israel, declares the Lord God."

- Ezekiel 39:29