Lenten campaign 2026
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During the first half of the 20th century, Carlos Manuel Rodriguez Santiago began delving into the richness of the Mass, finding great beauty there that he wanted to show to others.
He was not a priest or a religious brother, but a simple layman from Puerto Rico who wanted to use his gifts and talents for the greater glory of God.
Lay evangelist
Bl. Carlos Manuel was born on November 22, 1918, in Caguas, Puerto Rico, and was raised in a big Catholic family. He was always drawn to religion and had a profound experience after receiving his First Holy Communion.
After high school he attended the University of Puerto Rico, but had to drop out due to poor health. Bl. Carlos Manuel then worked as an office clerk in Caguas, Gurabo, and at the Agriculture Experiment Station.
In the midst of his work in the world, he retained a passion for the liturgy. His Vatican biography explains that he used his income to share his love of the Mass:
He spent almost his entire modest salary to promote knowledge and love of Christ. He did this especially promoting a greater understanding of the significance of the Sacred Liturgy. Using articles on liturgical subjects which he himself translated and edited, Carlos Manuel began publishing Liturgy and Christian Culture, publications to which he dedicated innumerable hours.
He also founded a "Liturgy Circle," where small groups would study the richness and beauty of the Mass.
Meg Hunter-Kilmer explains in an article for Aleteia that "Carlos loved the Easter Vigil. His near-constant refrain was 'We live for this night,' reminding all those he met that the heart of the Christian life is the Paschal mystery, the truth that the God of the universe, made incarnate for you, died for love of you and rose again, conquering sin and death."
Bl. Carlos Manuel was also a member of the Knights of Columbus.
This passion endured for the whole of his life, which ended on July 13, 1963, when he was only 44 years old. He died from an illness that he struggled with for most of his adult life.
He was beatified by St. John Paul II on April 29, 2001, and his feast day is currently July 13. The next step in his cause for canonization is the recognition of a miracle that will confirm him as a saint. He is the first Blessed of Puerto Rico.
