Israel Gerena Olán
Puerto Rican, born 1958
Carlos Manuel Rodríguez / Beato Charlie, 2002
Polychromed wood, mixed media
34 x 10 x 11 ¼ inches
Lent from a private Florida collection

Constantly enriching the tradition, contemporary artisans have introduced new themes to the santero's repertoire, such as newly beatified and canonized saints. Popularly known as Beato Charlie, Carlos Manuel Rodríguez (1918–1963) lived a life dedicated to the Catholic faith. He published several Christian journals and held particularly progressive views regarding Catholicism. In April 2001 Carlos Rodríguez was beatified—the final step before sainthood—by Pope John Paul II making him the first United States citizen layperson to receive this honor.