Blessed Miguel Pro Heroic Mexican Martyr Posted on 11/25/2001 2:38:24 PM PST by Lady In Blue
Father Miguel Pro: Heroic Mexican Martyr
Blessed Miguel Pro Heroic Mexican Martyr
"Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:10
"Whoever loses his life for my sake shall find it." Matthew 16:25
VIVA CRISTO REY!
The life of Father Miguel Agustin Pro, a Catholic priest, had been as heroic as had been his martyrdom because of his love and faith in Jesus Christ. In losing his life for the sake of Christ, he exchanged his earthly life in hopes of attaining eternal life with God.
I. Blessed Miguel Pro's Life And Work
Born in Mexico, January 13, 1891, Miguel Pro grew up in a large family with six brothers and sisters. Inspired by two of his sisters who entered the religious life, Miguel at the age of twenty, prayed to God in order to learn what God's will was for his own life. Because of his great love for God, and his desire to follow His will, Miguel entered the Jesuit order at the Hacienda El Llano so that he may devote his life to the service of God.
Under the terror of the Mexican regime of the time of Calles' and Obergon's rule, came years of political and religious persecution. During this period, the Pro family suffered great great financial and personal hardship. Meanwhile Miguel and the other novices of the Jesuit order were also under severe threat of persecution, as Catholic priests and religious were among the targets of the Mexican reign of terror. After a raid of the religious' house, their superiors ordered Miguel and the other novices to escape from Mexico. Miguel's travels took him to diverse countries such as the U.S., Grenada, and eventually Belgium where he was ordained a priest on August 21, 1925. Even though his family could not be physically present at his ordination ceremony, Father Pro was spiritually present with them; blessing their individual photographs one by one.
Even though he sought to make his internal and physical turmoil hidden from those around him, Father Pro suffered great emotional pain over the constant worry he felt over his family and the physical pain which was caused by stomach troubles. Those around him even noted that at the times he felt the most pain; physical or emotional, that he would seem the most cheerful. Father Pro's physical health weakened despite several operations. In hopes of helping Father Pro to regain his health, his superiors granted his wish to return home to mexico to be nearer to his family. Little did his superiors realise the extent of the trouble that the Church in Mexico faced.
In 1926, Father Pro returned to Mexico during the height of political terror; at a time in which the Catholic Church faced great opposition as a result of constitutional amendments and legislation which severely restricted public worship. Any Catholic priest who would dare to continue to serve the sacraments such as communion, baptism, confession, confirmation and marriage risked persecution, torture, arrest and even execution!
And so began Father Pro's adventure for God, evading police in any way possible in order that he may minister to the physical and spiritual needs of all people which included the poor, the rich, workers, laborers, business and even Socialists and Communists (who were often openly hostile to Catholic Priests and the Church).Traveling via bike, and acquiring disguises such as that of a mechanic, a servant and even that of a cultured man of the world; he was able to carry out his duties for his people such as administering the sacraments and attending to the needs of people. In the spirit of Paul, the apostle, he literally became all things to all people for the sake of Christ. He won souls for Christ through prayer, humor and also through physical and spiritual aid.
While the solders and the police had their guns and rifles, Father Pro had the greatest of all weapons as he had once stated in reference to the crucifix: "Here is my weapon. With it along, I have no fear of anyone." [Ball, 32]
II. Father Pro's Martyrdom
"I am ready to give my life for souls, but I want nothing for myself. All that I want is to lead them to God. If I kept anything for myself, I should be a thief, infamous; I should no longer be a priest."*
In November 1927, Father Pro, along with his brother Humberto, became the scapegoat for an assassination attempt on the corrupt future president. The government authorities linked the Pro brothers to the crime through an old used car that had belonged to one of the brothers. Even though the authorities were well aware of the fact that the brothers were innocent, they were both guilty for being Catholic Priests. Because Catholic Priests were considered to be enemies of the corrupt regime, the government had an ulterior motive for convicting Miguel and his brother because they were the perfect scapegoat. Without due process or trial, the brothers were condemned to die. They were innocent of any crime. They were only guilty of being Catholic priests.
On the morning of November 23, 1927, Father Pro was led from his cell to the location of his execution. It did not matter to the police and soldiers that beyond the wall, within earshot, a man was shouting that he had in his hands a stay of execution that would free the brothers. The shouts were ignored and Father Pro was lead to his death. As he was led to death, one of the police men responsible for his capture asked for his forgiveness which Father Pro freely gave. Just minutes before he was to be executed, Father Pro asked to be able to pray as a last request. During this short amount of time, he kneeled upon the hard, uncomfortable ground, near the bullet riddled wall where he would soon be executed. In submission to God's will, he accepted his fate, stood up, stretched his arms out wide in the shape of the cross in preparation for his death. After forgiving his executors, and as the squad raised its weapons, Father Pro shouted in a clear, yet loud voice :Viva Cristo Rey!." (Which means long live Christ the king in Spanish.) With humility and bravery, Father Pro met his martyrdom.
On September 25, 1988, Father Pro was beatified by Pope John Paul II.
III. Chaplet of Blessed Miguel Pro, SJ
(by the author, Ann Ball)
[on the crucifix or medal of Fr. Pro]Blessed Miguel, before your death, you told your friend to ask you for favors when you were in Heaven. I beg you to intercede for me and in union with Our lady and all the angels and saints, to ask Our Lord to grant my petition, provided that it be God's will. [mention request]
{on the white beads that symbolize his purity]We honor and adore the triune God. [Gloria]We ask the Holy Spirit for guidance. Come Holy Ghost. We pray as Jesus taught us to pray. [Our Father]We venerate with love the Virgin May.[Hail Mary] All you angels, bless you the Lord forever. Saint Joseph, Saint [name of your patron], and all the saints pray for us.
Blessed Miguel, high spirited youth, pray for us. Viva Cristo Rey.
Blesses Miguel, loving son and brother, pray for us. Viva Cristo Rey.
Blessed miguel, patient novice, pray for us. Viva Cristo Rey.
Blessed Miguel, exile from your homeland, pray for us. Viva Cristo Rey.
Blessed Miguel, prayerful religious, pray for us. Viva Cristo Rey.
Blessed Miguel, sick and suffering, pray for us. Viva Cristo Rey.
Blessed Miguel, defender of workers, pray for us. Viva Cristo Rey.
Blessed Miguel, courageous priest in hiding, pray for us. Viva Cristo Rey.
Blessed Miguel, prisoner in jail, pray for us. Viva Cristo Rey.
Blessed Miguel, forgiver of persecutors, pray for us. Viva Cristo Rey.
Blessed Miguel, holy martyr, pray for us. Viva Cristo Rey.
The imprimatur for this chaplet was given by Bishop Florenza
The photo above was taken only hours before Father Pro's Martyrdom.
IV. Pro Vision
Pro Vision is an organization that is dedicated to the promotion of the cause of Blessed Father Pro's canonization. Its address is at: St. Francis Religious Goods, 4906 Hwy 6 North Houston, TX 77084
To receive a free holy card of Blessed Miguel Pro, please send a self addressed stamped envelope to the address above.
The photos of Fr. Pro's martyrdom were taken by reporters. The intention was to show to the world the cowardice of the Catholic Priests who were condemned to be executed. On the contrary, these photographs testify to the bravery of Father Pro. As a result, the distribution and even the possession of the photos was forbidden by the regime..
Last revised 7, December 1996 by Patricia Weiss
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I'm neutral on this one, but the article as written implies that there was absolutely no reason for the regime's action other than a desire to punish faith in God.
BTW, shortly after this event, the elected President, Obregon, really was assassinated by a man who claimed he did it for Christ the King.
I'm also aware that there was a lot of religious persecution of Catholics in Mexico during the period of the 20's and 30's.
However, you must be aware that the Mexican Revolution of 1910 (which lasted 10 to 20 years, depending on when you figure it ended) was against a political system that was based on an alliance between the Catholic hierarchy and a few hundred families who essentially owned all of Mexico, as well as its inhabitants, who were for most purposes slaves of the landowners.
The American Revolutionists, by comparison, had only trivial complaints against British rule. When the revolutionists took control, they unfairly transferred their justified antagonism against the hierarchy which had oppressed them to all practice of Catholicism.
My reference books on the subject, unfortunately, are in storage.
I did find a pretty good website(http://www.mexconnect.com/mex_/history/jtuck/jtcristero1.html) on the Cristero Rebellion. There are a lot of others.
Warning: this is not recommended reading for anyone who wants to believe that priests or others fighting for Catholicism are incapable of committing atrocities.
Left to Right: Jean de Brebeuf, S.J. (left panel: with cross), Richard Eisenmann, S.J. (kneeling with Seal of Society of Jesus) Blessed Miguel Pro, S.J. (standing with hands outstretched), Amando Lopez, S.J. (kneeling wearing a stole), Isaac Jogues, S.J. (right panel: holding Chalice of Blood)
Obregon was justly terminated with extreme prejudice after a lengthy career of service to the Mexican reds and persecution of Catholics, about twelve years after the official state murder of Fr. Miguel Pro.
When Obregon met justice, the enraged reds arrested another priest, Miguel Pro's brother, on the hilarious charge that they regarded him as culpable because he may have heard the confession of Obregon's assassin.
I don't make much of a habit of praising FDR or Cordell Hull but, as Roosevelt was facing internal rebellion in the Demonrat Party over his plans for a third term, having lost the support of Vice President John Nance Garner, Joseph Patrick Kennedy (the patriarch), and Postmaster Jim Farley, among many others, he received a delegation from the Supreme Council of the Knights of Columbus who demanded intervention on behalf of the brother of the martyred Miguel Pro lest normally Democrat Catholic laymen consider whether FDR was indifferent to Mexico's planning to murder another Fr. Pro. FDR called Hull in their presence and directed action in the form of credible threats of military intervention unless the second Father Pro was released forthwith. The Mexicans complied and released the priest. This story is reported in a one volume official history of the Knights of Columbus (commissioned by the K of C on its 100th anniversary in the early 1980s) called Faith and Freedom by one Kaufman.
"Histories" trying to establish some phony moral equivalency between the historic Roman Catholic faith of Mexico and the unfortunate criminally corrupt communist gang regime of the Institutional Revolutionary Party may make for terrific Marxism or anti-clericalism but they aren't very good or reliable history.
For the most part, those who cozy up to the PRI also continue to have sticking in their craw the fact that Francisco Franco demolished their beloved "Republican" communists and anarchists in Spain who merely slaughtered half the priests and nuns (raping many of them before they were martyred) and burned sixty percent of the Roman Catholic churches in that country.
Well, as they said in Spain, as well as in Mexico, Viva Cristo Rey!!!
Just how it is that allegedly Catholic wealthy families were in league with the likes of Juarez is a bit difficult to fathom and it could not possibly have been on account of any shared Catholicism among them. Of course, Juarez was a bit old hat by 1910 since he probably was not willing to slaughter priests merely for the assumed crime of saying Mass.
I'm not the person to turn to for rulings on moral equivalency. That would be God.
However, it is quite impossible to read an unbiased history of Mexico without concluding that if the Catholic Church of Mexico had not itself become criminally corrupt the Mexican Revolution of 1910 would never have occurred.
Please note I speak of the Mexican Church as an institution, not individuals within that Church. The same is true of the Renaissance Church, which led directly to the Protestant Reformation and the French Church which led directly to the French Revolution.
The present Pope doesn't seem to have trouble recognizing that at times the Church has lost sight of its true mission and become overly focused on its material possessions.
Obregon was justly terminated with extreme prejudice after a lengthy career of service to the Mexican reds and persecution of Catholics, about twelve years after the official state murder of Fr. Miguel Pro.
Mr. Obregon was murdered by an artist who was drawing his picture in a cafe. There is wide difference of opinion in Mexico to this day as to whether he was good or bad for Mexico. He did apparently finish up the main fighting part of the Revolution, which was good for almost everybody.
His murder led directly to the formation of the PRI, which was not in existence when Miguel Pro was executed. This assassination, as would be expected, resulted in increased restrictions and persecution of Catholics in Mexico.
http://www.mexconnect.com/mex_/history/jtuck/jtporfdiaz.html
BTW, I wonder what Americans would have done to a European prince who took advantage of civil strife to intrude on our affairs and set himself up with foreign support as our Emperor? What do you think?
BTTT on November 24, 2004, Blessed Miguel Augustin Pro.
Jesuits? They don't make them like they used to, do they?
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God calls each one of us to be a saint.
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November 23, 2006
Blessed Miguel Agustín Pro
(1891-1927)
¡Viva Cristo Rey! (Long live Christ the King) were the last words Father Pro uttered before he was executed for being a Catholic priest and serving his flock.
Born into a prosperous, devout family in Guadalupe de Zacatecas, he entered the Jesuits in 1911 but three years later fled to Granada, Spain, because of religious persecution in Mexico. He was ordained in Belgium in 1925. He immediately returned to Mexico, where he served a Church forced to go “underground.” He celebrated the Eucharist clandestinely and ministered the other sacraments to small groups of Catholics. He and his brother Roberto were arrested on trumped-up charges of attempting to assassinate Mexico’s president. Roberto was spared but Miguel was sentenced to face a firing squad on November 23, 1927. His funeral became a public demonstration of faith. He was beatified in 1988. Quote:
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BTTT on the Optional Memorial of Blessed Miguel Augustin Pro, November 23, 2007!
Blessed Miguel Agustin Pro
Priest and Martyr
Optional Memorial
November 23rd
[In the diocese of the United States]
Photo
(1891-1927) Miguel, one of eleven children, was born in Guadalupe, Mexico. He was ordained a Jesuit priest in 1925 in Belgium, having been forced to flee Mexico because of religious persecution. He returned the next year to minister to his native people. He had a great love for the Mass, devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe, and apostolic zeal for ordinary working men. Despite the fierce persecution of the Mexican Government as well as his own debilitating illnesses, Fr. Pro continued his ministry to the faithful. He was captured, imprisoned and martyred for his Catholic Faith in 1927 under charges of sedition.
Source: Daily Roman Missal, Edited by Rev. James Socías, Midwest Theological Forum, Chicago, Illinois ©2003
Collect:
God our Father,
you gave your servant Miguel Agustin
the grace to seek ardently your greater glory
and the salvation of your people.
Grant that through his intercession
and following his example
we may serve you and glorify you
by performing our daily duties with fidelity and joy
and effectively helping our neighbor.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
One God, for ever and ever.For readings please see Clement I, Pope and Martyr
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