Black History Month- Blessed Carlos Manuel Rodríguez Santiago

Name - Blessed Carlos Manuel Rodríguez Santiago

Born – 22^nd November, 1918

Died – 13^th July, 1963 (aged 44)

Veneration – Roman Catholic Church

Beatified – 29^th April, 2001

Feast – 13^th July (4^th May in Puerto Rico)

Attributes- Paschal candle

Born in Puerto Rico to a large Catholic family. Blessed Rodríguez was worked as an office clerk, he dedicated his resources to promote a greater knowledge of the Catholic faith. He had a passion for promoting liturgy among bishops, clergy and laymen. Advocating active participation of the laity in prayer he organised prayer groups that involved them. Feeling that the Easter vigil had lost its character by being celebrated in the morning, he was delighted Easter vigil was restored to its proper time near midnight by Pope Pius in 1952.

His favorite saying about the Easter vigil was Vivimos para esa noche (We live for that night).

Links –

https://thetablet.org/miracle-needed-to-make-first-puerto-rican-saint/

http://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/saints/ns_lit_doc_20010429_rodriguez-santiago_en.html

http://saintsresource.com/carlos-rodriguez