Rafael Cordero

In 1810, when he was only in his twenties, Rafael Cordero founded a free primary school in his own home, located on Calle de la Luna in Old San Juan. His project was revolutionary: in a colonial society still marked by slavery and racial barriers, he opened the doors of his classroom to all children without any distinction of race, color, or social status.

To finance this work of free education and provide for his own needs, Rafael categorically refused to charge his students. He earned his living by working as a cigar maker (tabaquero) and a shoemaker. While rolling tobacco or repairing shoes, he taught the children reading, writing, calligraphy, arithmetic, as well as Catholic doctrine and Christian morality. His sister Celestina accompanied him in this mission of education by opening the first school for girls on the island.

For 58 years, "Maestro Rafael" devoted himself body and soul to this school. His reputation as an excellent educator and a just man was such that even the white and wealthy families of San Juan eventually entrusted him with the education of their children, who studied side by side with poor children and the sons of slaves. Among his students were future great figures of Puerto Rican history, including writers, journalists, and leaders of the abolition of slavery such as Román Baldorioty de Castro, Alejandro Tapia y Rivera, and José Julián Acosta.

The life of Rafael Cordero is a living testimony of charity, humility, and devotion. Throughout his life, he refused all honors and the title of "master," believing with profound humility that only Jesus Christ is worthy of bearing that name. When he received a financial reward from a private organization for his services, he immediately distributed half to his most destitute students and the other half to the poor of the city.

Rafael passed away on July 5, 1868, in San Juan, at the age of 77. His funeral brought together more than 2,000 people, testifying to the immense respect and devotion the population held for him.

Although some liberal movements attempted to reduce his figure to that of a secular national hero, the memory of his fervent Catholic faith and his holiness of life remained deeply rooted in the local Church. In March 2002, the Archbishop of San Juan, Mgr. Roberto González Nieves, authorized the official opening of his cause for beatification, under the direction of the postulator Dom Oscar Rivera, a Benedictine monk. The Holy See granted the nihil obstat on April 16, 2003. The diocesan inquiry took place from May to October 2004, and its validity was decreed by Rome on March 11, 2005. The Positio was published in 2009.

On December 9, 2013, Pope Francis authorized the Congregation for the Causes of Saints to promulgate the decree recognizing the heroic nature of his virtues, thus conferring upon him the title of Venerable.

For the Venerable Rafael Cordero to be proclaimed Blessed, the Church requires the official recognition of a miracle attributed to his intercession. The cause is currently ongoing.

The spirituality of Rafael Cordero is deeply marked by the Franciscan spirit of poverty, simplicity, and love for the little ones. He considered his teaching not as a profession, but as a true priesthood. He often confided his love for children: "I love children, joy, I am happy among them... they are so innocent and defenseless!".

Today considered the "Father of public education in Puerto Rico", his legacy goes far beyond the religious framework. He was immortalized by the famous Puerto Rican painter Francisco Oller in his 1891 painting, La Escuela del Maestro Rafael Cordero. His house on Luna Street has been restored and listed on the United States National Register of Historic Places. Each year, the Puerto Rico Teachers Association awards the Rafael Cordero National Medal to an emeritus teacher.