"Come, you who are blessed by my Father;
take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you
since the creation of the world. - Matthew 25: 34
...Let us ask our Lord then to make us souls devoted
to the Blessed Eucharist, so that our relationship
with Him brings forth joy and serenity and a desire
for justice. In this way we will make it easier for
others to recognize Christ; we will put Christ
at the centre of all human activities."
St Josemaria Escriva
Quote to honor today's Feast ...
Fr Magallanes wrote and preached against armed rebellion, but was falsely accused of promoting the Cristero Rebellion in the area. He established a clandestine seminary at Totatiche, Jalisco. Magallanes and the other priests were forced to minister secretly to Catholics during the presidency of Plutarco Calles (1924-1928). Arrested on May 21, 1927, while en route to celebrate Mass at a farm, he gave away his few remaining possessions to his executioners, gave them absolution, and without a trial, he was martyred four days later.
Mateo Correa was shot when he refused to break the seal of the confessional. Jose Maria Robles was arrested when he was overheard agreeing to officiate a wedding. Julio Alvares Mendoza was captured on his way to say Mass. Before he was shot, Mendoza told his executioners, "My crime is to be a minister of God. I pardon you."
St. Christopher Magallanes and Companions*
Mexico ~ 1915-1937
*22 priests/3 layman
Memorialized in movie, For Greater Glory
When imprisoned by the government authorities, St Christopher
was heard to shout from his cell: "I am innocent and I die innocent.
I forgive the authors of my death from my heart, and I ask God
that my blood would serve to bring peace to divided Mexicans".
St Christopher and Companions,
pray for us!
pray for us!
During his homily at the canonization Mass on May 21, 2000, Saint John Paul II addressed the Mexican men, women and children present in Rome and said:
“After the harsh trials that the Church endured in Mexico during those turbulent years, today Mexican Christians, encouraged by the witness of these witnesses to the faith, can live in peace and harmony, contributing the wealth of gospel values to society. The Church grows and advances, since she is the crucible in which many priestly and religious vocations are born, where families are formed according to God's plan, and where young people, a substantial part of the Mexican population, can grow with the hope of a better future. May the shining example of Cristóbal Magallanes and his companion martyrs help you to make a renewed commitment of fidelity to God, which can continue to transform Mexican society so that justice, fraternity and harmony will prevail among all.”
“After the harsh trials that the Church endured in Mexico during those turbulent years, today Mexican Christians, encouraged by the witness of these witnesses to the faith, can live in peace and harmony, contributing the wealth of gospel values to society. The Church grows and advances, since she is the crucible in which many priestly and religious vocations are born, where families are formed according to God's plan, and where young people, a substantial part of the Mexican population, can grow with the hope of a better future. May the shining example of Cristóbal Magallanes and his companion martyrs help you to make a renewed commitment of fidelity to God, which can continue to transform Mexican society so that justice, fraternity and harmony will prevail among all.”
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