Saint Who?
Saints of the Ordinary
Blessed Carlos Manuel Rodríguez
Layman († 1963)Feast: July 13
Carlos—sometimes called Charlie—was born into a devout Catholic family in Puerto Rico. One of his sisters became a nun, and a brother became a monk. When Carlos was seven years old, his home was destroyed by a fire, and his family went to live with his pious grandparents. By the time he was in high school, he seriously considered becoming a priest but decided that was impossible because of his poor health. Later, he was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. Although he had to drop out of high school for health reasons, he worked as a clerk and continued his studies on his own, obtaining his diploma a few years later.
Carlos continued working as a clerk, but during his free time, he studied the Catholic faith, particularly the liturgy. His love for the liturgy grew and inspired him to write and publish pamphlets about the liturgy and to form small groups he called Liturgy Circles. He promoted the restoration of lost liturgical customs, advocated for the use of the vernacular in the liturgy, and encouraged the laity to better understand Catholic worship.
Shortly before his death, Carlos was diagnosed with rectal cancer. As his health declined, he also experienced spiritual trials. Yet he remained joyful and trusting in God until his death at the age of forty-four.
Creator of the Universe, help us to become holy
men and women through our daily lives.
