The Reredos
Blessed Carlos Rodriguez
Blessed Carlos “Charlie” Rodriguez was born in Puerto Rico in 1918. At a young age, his father’s store and family home caught on fire. He and his family had to move in with his grandmother, a woman devoted to the Catholic faith. Rodriguez went to Catholic school growing up and became an altar server after receiving the sacrament of First Holy Communion. In high school, he was diagnosed with gastrointestinal disorder, which he had for the rest of his life. Even though his illness prevented Charlie from completing higher education, he became an avid reader on various subjects and taught himself to play the piano and the organ.
Charlie worked as a clerk who translated English articles to Spanish. Given his capacity to translate articles, he translated Catholic articles that would evangelize to people in Puerto Rico. Rodriguez published publications in Catholic literature, including topics on liturgy and scripture. He became so well known for his writing that he would participate on panel discussions, college lectures, and in discussions to Catholic groups such as the Knights of Columbus. It is important to recognize Charlie’s life at Saint Joseph of the Holy Family as he continues to remain an inspiration to the Spanish speaking community who continue to serve as lay catechists, evangelizers, and parishioners.