Father Raphael Pisso Rivera S.T.

God has put so many blessing in my life that His generosity leaves me no alternative but to surrender to Him. It is useless to try to be worthy of such abundance. All I can do is throw myself on His mercy.

Some examples:

My name is: Rafael Pisso Rivera. God sent me to this earth in the year 1977, in a little town in the “departamento” (State) of Huila in the southern part of my country, Colombia. He sent me through two loving people, simple people, poor in material things, but more than rich in faith. He didn’t want me to be lonely, so he made me number six of nine sons. As is all too frequent among us, two of the nine have gone to God, but are still so present to us that we include them in all invitations and events by putting their names with ours, with little crosses in front of them.

I went to the public schools of my area and learned our beautiful language, history and values. Our culture, literature and way of experiencing life are so filled with Catholic values, that is many ways our Public Schools are Catholic also. By the sacrifice and my parents I was able to study Spanish and Communication for one year at our local University. This knowledge has served me well ever since. Because of the need of my family and of my country I enlisted in our national army with the idea of making it my career. But God had other plans for me.

He sent Father Charles Gordon, Trinity Missionary, into my life, which since then has never been the same. He brought me to Trinity Missions where I have been in a process of formation for more than six years. I studied Philosophy in Medellin, Colombia, and have finished my third year of Theology in Mexico. So now I have experienced the depths of our faith in two different Latin cultures, each with its own combination and mosaic of grace. There in Mexico I also worked with my fellow Trinity Missionaries with the poorest of the poor, who shared their richness of faith in ways special only to them.

Now God has placed me in another language and faith-culture. I am on the sacred grounds of the Shrine of St. Joseph, sent to share what little I can of the unique charisma of Father Judge. I am here to enjoy and learn from the special gifts of those stationed here, and those who come to visit to receive from us even as they give to us. This place is very sacred to me not just because of its history, but also because of the joyous presence of love and service which I see and feel in all those who come to make themselves part of our community at St. Joseph Shrine.

As if that were not already too much, God has seen fit to let me serve also among the many Hispanic migrants who are around us, and who share their tears with me and wash my soul; and share the goodness of their lives with me and lift me up at the sight of the grace and mercy and even joy that they find in the mystery of their suffering. May God continue to shower His blessings on me, as He uses little me to be His presence among His people.