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by Saturnino Nino G. Rodríguez (Author)
A 70-Year Odyssey of Faith, Identity, and the Courage to Rebuild.
What happens when the path laid out for you, by your family, your church, and your country; no longer leads to the truth of who you are?
Born in the shadow of the Spanish Civil War in the small village of Lantadilla, Saturnino "Nino" Rodríguez was only 12 years old when he was recruited to become a Christian Brother. It was a journey that would take him from the disciplined silence of a Spanish monastery to the vibrant, complex landscapes of Peru, and eventually to the front lines of the immigrant struggle in the United States.
In this moving work of creative nonfiction, Rodríguez masterfully weaves a story of "living forward" while trying to understand the past. He shares the raw, intimate details of a life shaped by both sacrifice and service:
- The Shadow of War: Growing up amidst the "death and destruction" of post-civil war Spain and witnessing the "sad scenes" of his father's struggles.
- The Vows and the Voice: Navigating the strict life of a monk, vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, while a growing fire for social justice and education burned within him.
- The Immigrant's Awakening: Arriving in Michigan to discover a new identity through the "loneliness and injustice" faced by Mexican-American families, transforming from a religious brother into a fierce advocate for the "forsaken".
- The Transformation: From an altar boy in Spain to a Doctor of Philosophy and a community leader in the U.S., Pathmaker is more than a memoir, it is a roadmap for anyone who has ever felt like an "intruder" in a new land. Inspired by the poetry of Antonio Machado, this book proves that there is no pre-made road; we make the path by walking.
If you have ever wrestled with the question "Who am I?", if you are moved by stories of immigrant resilience, or if you seek a deeper understanding of how we find purpose in a changing world, Pathmaker is your next essential read.
