A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025, at 10 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson, N.J., for Father Rafael A. Ciro. He died on Aug. 27. He was 45.
Father Ciro was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Paterson in New Jersey by Bishop Emeritus Arthur J. Serratelli on May 25, 2013, and was pastor of St. Stephen Parish in Paterson at the time of his passing.
He was born on Oct. 29, 1979, in Colombia to the late Rafael Angel Ciro-Rios and Aura Elena Guarín.
Father Ciro attended elementary and high school at Liceo de Alejandría in Alejandría from 1995 to 2000. He earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from the Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana in Medellín, Colombia, in 2006. He continued his theological studies at Universidad Intercontinental in Mexico City (2007–2009), Holy Apostles College and Seminary in Cromwell, Conn. (2011–2012), and Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Md. (2012–2013).
Before joining the Paterson Diocese as a seminarian in January 2011, Father Ciro dedicated nearly three years to missionary work in Medellín and another three years in Mexico City, serving in some of the most impoverished communities. He also ministered to Hispanic migrants in Alabama and New Jersey.
He was ordained to the priesthood in 2013, at St. Philip the Apostle Parish in Clifton, N.J. Following his ordination, he served the parish communities of the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson, St. Mary’s Assumption Parish in Passaic, N.J., St. Nicholas Parish, also in Passaic, and Sacred Heart and Holy Rosary Parish in Dover, N.J., before being appointed pastor of St. Stephen in Paterson.
Father Ciro is survived by his beloved mother Doña Elena Guarin, his siblings, and many cousins, friends and brother priests.
Reception of the body will take place at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 2, followed by visitation from 4 to 7 p.m. at St. Stephen in Paterson. A vigil Mass will be celebrated at 7 p.m.
The funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 3 at 10 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Paterson, celebrated by Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney. The burial will take place in Colombia.
Condolences may be sent to: Office of Clergy Personnel, c/o St. Paul Inside the Walls, 205 Madison Ave., Madison, N.J. 07940
Obituary: Father Rafael A. Ciro, 45