Blessed Miguel Pro’s final, defiant challenge to his atheist persecutors
November 23, 2011 by Patrick Madrid
Filed under Patrick's Blog
Blessed Miguel Pro is a prominent example of Christian heroism in the twentieth century. The indefatigable Jesuit priest was martyred by the Mexican government in 1927 for performing his priestly duties.
Born on January 13, 1891, Miguel Pro Juarez was the eldest son of Miguel Pro and Josefa Juarez. His birthplace, the humble central Mexican village of Guadalupe, was especially fitting in view of his intense, lifelong devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas.
Miguelito, as his doting family called him, was, from an early age, intensely spiritual and equally intense in his mischievousness. From the time he could speak he had the reputation of being a motor-mouth, frequently exasperating his family with his humor and practical jokes, a trait which remained with him into adult-hood.
As a child he had an unbridled precociousness that sometimes went too far, tossing him into near-death accidents and illnesses. On regaining consciousness after one of these episodes, young Miguel opened his eyes and blurted out to his frantic parents, “I want some cocol” (a colloquial term for his favorite sweet bread). Cocol became his nickname, which he would later adopt as a code name during his clandestine priestly ministry. . . . (continue reading)
Viva Cristo Rey!
Jon Meuller, get the little book from TAN. As for learning more about this period, Google “Cristero War”. Bl. Miguel Pro and another Cristero saint/martyr, Bl. Jose Luis Sanchez del Rio, are also featured in the book “39 New Saints You Should Know.” Indeed, this conflict produced so many heroes/martyrs. I would have to really question Father’s friend’s judgment or discernment simply because “Liberation Theology” as such didn’t develop until at least 30 years after Bl. Miguel Pro’s death. The term wasn’t even coined until 1971. Bl. Miguel’s concern was for the poor and oppressed, especially the religiously oppressed (which was just about every faithful Catholic at the time). In other words, he was simply a good priest. The LT movement may have adopted him as a patron of sorts, but to me, that’s simply expedient and convenient. It allows them to pretend at a veneer of orthodox respectability by claiming as their own one who probably never would have acceded to their bad theology, disobedience, and dissent. Am I wrong? I’m open to being corrected if so.
Patrick, I am intrigued about this story. As I wanted to research a little about the Catholic persecution in Mexico, I could find scant evidence for it. The Wikipedia simply indicates that Mexico was trying to get out from under the Church influence, and had a brief “war” with the Church.
What is a good source to study this further?
Jon
Patrick, I’m grateful that you bought me that little book on Bl. Miguel during one of your 2009 trips to San Antonio. I was inspired so much by his story that my fiancee want to give our first-born son (whenever he appears) the middle name “Miguel.”
I love the photo of Fr. Pro brazenly posing in front of the police station.
Our family loves Bl Miguel. In fact he is one of our son’s confirmation patrons. A priest friend of ours who has a friend who works for the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, thinks Bl. Miguel will never be canonized because of his adherence to “liberation theology”. What are your thoughts? Do you know of any sources I can investigate? Thank you.
I just sent this post to my blog. I was blessed this last year to get a prayer card touched to his first and 2nd class relics, and held it as I asked for his intercession tonight for perseverance in all ways. Thank you for sharing on this saintly and heroic priest.
Go to U-Tube and look for the film “For Greater Glory” which you can watch there.
It is the true story of the Cristeros, and was very popular in Mexico, though because it views history from a Catholic point of view, was less so in the USA.
The script is a bit talky and the characters lack development; but the casting, direction, sets 7 art direction are impressive.