Where there is a will, there is a lawyer. Where there is a man of conviction in work, ethic and faith, there is Rio Grande Valley attorney: Mr. David Calvillo.
When he’s not playing an advocate and leader in our community, you might just find him on a Sunday, setting up his winning fantasy football strategy, partitioning through his beloved perish, or enlightening the world with his daily affirmations on the web.
The self proclaimed “work in progress” and honored “Super Lawyer” by Texas Monthly magazine for over 4 years in a row says “My parents say that I always wanted to be a lawyer but I can’t say I remember it that way.”
In his appeasing office filled with loving family photos and uplifting Christian music, he sits and continues, “It’s very rewarding, I love being a lawyer.”
However, Calvillo’s real story happens after his 5:30 am workout comes to a wrap. The story to unravel is that he tries to integrate his faith and God into his professional life as an attorney. He rarely loses the opportunity to invoke the word and message of Jesus Christ.
Calvillo is the cofounder and CEO of the dynamic global apostolate known as Real Men Pray the Rosary, Inc.“There is a lot of exciting spiritual awakenings happening in the Valley,” he says. Alongside his wife Valerie Calvillo, a McAllen native and Yale graduate who is expecting their 7th addition to their family, the Calvillos proudly serve the community, spreading the word of the Lord across many Valley communities and indeed, throughout the world.Through Calvillo’s website medium and social networking, realmenpraytherosary.org, he links technology with Christianity. The group’s Facebook page, by the same name, is truly a global community with almost 19,000 “fans” throughout the United States, Philippines, Africa, Australia, and Europe.“The power of the internet and Facebook joins us all together.” The Weslaco native says, “It creates and identifies good people centered around Jesus Christ for daily prayer and positive causes.The non-profit apostolate promoting prayer, family and community supports a mission to “CONFIDENTLY TAKE UP THE ROSARY ONCE AGAIN. REDISCOVER THE ROSARY IN THE LIGHT OF SCRIPTURE, IN HARMONY WITH THE LITURGY AND IN THE CONTEXT OF DAILY LIVES” – (official Mission Statement) Twenty salient points in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ and his Mother, Mary, known in the Rosary prayer as the “Joyful, Luminous, Sorrowful and Glorious mysteries,” bind this non-profit associations’ message. Its web site is “an invitation to ALL Christian men and women (the Rosary is not just for Catholics!) to experience the peaceful joy of praying the Rosary.” Calvillo credits an ACTS retreat (Adoration, Community, Theology, and Service) for the divine inspiration and energy into the RMPTR (Real Men Pray The Rosary) development. “ACTS changed my life” he says, “I’ve been on an amazing journey ever since.”The RMPTR website sells memorabilia such as mugs, t-shirts, stickers, caps, dvds promoting the wave of prayer for a good cause. “We’ve shipped the RMPTR gear throughout the U.S., Europe, and even Australia!” smiles Calvillo. “Wherever Christians and the internet coexist.”100% of the net proceeds generated from this site, through sales of “gear” and donations, are dedicated to support the mission by financing spiritual retreats such as the ACTS Missions retreats, community development, and educational purposes- all designed to promote prayer, especially through the Rosary prayer.Calvillo’s inspiring message: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in all things” For this is Gods will for you through Christ Jesus “ 1 Thessalonians 5; 6-18. You can find Calvillo walking the halls of justice at his office Monday through Friday. “I hope to continue to be an active practicing trial lawyer,” says the Board certified trial specialist.But, ultimately the story and meaning behind RMPTR accounts for what Calvillo refers to as “his calling.” “I resolved after my ACTS retreat to make Jesus Christ the center of my life. All the rest will take care of itself.”As for the future, Calvillo speaks of writing a few books inspired by RMPTR. If you’d like to support RMPTR, visit their website at realmenpraytherosary.org or “like” the organization on Facebook at”Real Men Pray the Rosary”.Following the “lawyer with conviction” motto, Calvillo proves to be more than a suit who greets the court room with a brief in hand. He also carries that conviction through prayer, family and community.
Calvillo Law Firm is located at 6316 North 10th Street #200 McAllen. www.calvillolaw.com.