Introducing Fr. Juan Carlos Rivera-Castro, S.J.

Born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Fr. Juan Rivera-Castro’s journey to philosophy and priesthood began with his upbringing in a Catholic family. The second of three siblings, he attended Catholic School from kindergarten through high school. He credited his mother and maternal grandmother as important influences on his faith, particularly remembering his mother bringing him to church.

During his sophomore year of high school, Rivera-Castro began taking his faith more seriously– attending weekday Mass, going to confession, and incorporating prayer into his daily life. By his senior year, he began considering the priesthood. After exploring several religious orders including the Franciscans and Dominicans, he chose the Jesuits for their extended formation process and spirituality. He was particularly drawn to the Jesuit emphasis on “finding God in all things,” which he felt aligned with his own spiritual life.

Rivera-Castro entered the Jesuits in 2004, leaving college during his second year. He began to take philosophy more seriously while studying in Salamanca, Spain, during his Jesuit formation. Although he initially approached the subject with enthusiasm rather than immediate fascination, his interest grew throughout his studies.

“I think I just saw a lot of my own personality in philosophy, especially the questioning part of it, the looking for the truth,” he said.

Philosophy provided him with the vocabulary and tools to articulate ideas he had previously struggled to express. His studies eventually inspired him to pursue further academic work and teaching.

Rivera-Castro joined Loyola as part of his return to the USA Central and Southern Jesuit province after spending many years elsewhere. He was drawn to Loyola’s size and the opportunity to participate in a university community where people could get to know one another. He also views his appointment as an opportunity to give back to his province.

As a professor of philosophy of the Human Person, Rivera-Castro hopes students will recognize philosophy as more than an academic subject.

“I hope my students realize that philosophy is a way of life,” Rivera-Castro said. “It is not just something completely disconnected with what they do in their lives.”

Rivera-Castro’s approach to teaching is also informed by his work as a Jesuit priest. He emphasizes recognizing students as individuals, communicating expectations clearly, remaining available to discuss coursework, and personal reflections. He also encourages his students to remain open to spiritual questions beyond material concerns.

Professor R. Bentley Anderson, S.J., professor in catholic studies, said, “Fr. Rivera-Castro is a very patient and caring Jesuit priest and professor. He wants his students to fall in love with philosophy, so he takes the time to make his course material accessible. He cares for his students.”

Looking ahead, Rivera-Castro hopes to continue developing as a teacher and scholar, while learning from his colleagues in the department of philosophy. He also looks forward to contributing his own perspectives, supporting collaborative work, and enriching students’ experiences at Loyola.

Introducing Fr. Juan Carlos Rivera-Castro, S.J.

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