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This week’s missionary hero is layman who did his mission work in his native Puerto Rico. His name was Rafael Cordero y Molina.
Rafael was born on October 24, 1790 in San Juan, Puerto Rico into a poor family, the only boy and youngest of three children. His father, Lucas Cordero, worked in the tobacco fields, and his mother, Rita Molina, was a homemaker. Rafael, like his older sisters Gregoria and Celestina, had a strong commitment to his Catholic Christian faith.
Of African descent, Rafael taught himself to read and write, and he developed a love for literature and for learning. He also had a great passion to teach others what he had learned, and in 1810, when he was about 20-years old, he established a free school for children in his house. This school was open to all children, regardless of race or income. He taught calligraphy, mathematics, reading, and religious instruction. Many of his students made a name for themselves including Román Baldorioty de Castro (an abolitionist and advocate of Puerto Rico self-rule), Alejandro Tapia y Rivera (a famous poet, playwright, essayist, and writer), and José Julián Acosta (journalist).
Rafael served his Luna Street school for 58 years. His sister Celestina established the first school for girls in Puerto Rico in 1820.
Because of his dedication, he received many honors in his life. In addition to being called the “Father of Public Education in Puerto Rico,” Rafael was also the subject of a poem by Puerto Rican poet José Gualberto Padilla called “El maestro Rafael,” and was immortalized in a painting by Francisco Oller called “La Escuela del Maestro Rafael Cordero” (The School of Teacher Rafael Cordero).
Rafael Cordero died on July 5, 1868 at the age of 77. More than 2,000 people attended his funeral.
The Luna Street house where Rafael taught was remodeled and named a historical site in the National Register of Historical Places of the United States. The Puerto Rico Teachers Association awards a teacher who distinguishes themselves each year with the National Medal Rafael Cordero. Various schools in the United States and Puerto Rico are named after Rafael Cordero.
In 2004, Rafael was named Servant of God when the Archbishop of San Juan began the process for his beatification, and in 2013, Pope Francis declared in Venerable.
