50 Years a Jesuit in 2025

Father Rafael (Rafi) Rodríguez Peña, SJ, celebrates his Golden Jubilee in 2025. Born in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, Fr. Rodríguez Peña serves as chaplain to the Religiosas del Sagrado Corazón in San Juan.

After finishing his undergraduate studies at the Universidad de Puerto Rico in Rio Piedras, Fr. Rodríguez Peña entered the Jesuits’ Noviciado San Estanislao de Kostka in Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic, in 1975. He served his regency at Colegio San Ignacio de Loyola in San Juan, Puerto Rico, from 1978 to 1981, where he was part of the team that brought the Kairos retreat to the Colegio.

After earning his Master of Divinity from the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley, Fr. Rodríguez Peña was ordained a priest in 1984. He returned to Puerto Rico, where he has ministered since, first serving in pastoral ministry at Parroquia de La Ascensión in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico for three years. He returned to Colegio San Ignacio as chaplain from 1992 to 1995. He professed final vows at Parroquia San Ignacio de Loyola on April 22, 1992.

From 2007 until 2024, Fr. Rodríguez Peña was the director of the Centro Universitario Católico in San Juan and a teacher of theology at the Universidad del Sagrado Corazón. As chaplain to the Religiosas del Sagrado Corazón, he is available for Mass and anointing of the sick for the sisters, and participates locally in other sacramental celebrations.

Father Rodríguez Peña is known for his simplicity and generosity, closeness to common people and great love of the Society of Jesus. An expert on the native trees of Puerto Rico, and gifted in the art of bonsai, he has beautified the campus of the Colegio and the gardens of the Jesuit residence with trees. His care has aided the recovery of the landscape after storm damage in recent years, bringing back to life trees that seemed destroyed by the force of hurricane winds.

Father Rodriguez’s Reflection

When I was a child, I never thought about being a priest. It was after I finished college that I began to accept religious life and the service of faith. The Dominican Republic, where I made my novitiate, was my place of encounter with God and where I came to know my Puerto Rico from the perspective of another country. Regency was a time of service, sharing in community and encounters with believers, and a chance to present something of my faith to others. Pastoral work with university students was an experience of practicing my faith and translating academic learning into coherent and honest daily living.