Who was Cristobal Magallanes?

Viva, Cristo Rey!

Saint of the Day - May 21
St. Cristóbal Magallanes and Companions (d. 1915-1928)

Like Blessed Miguel Agustín Pro (Jesuit martyr in Mexico), Cristóbal Magallanes and his 24 companion martyrs lived under a very anti-Catholic government in Mexico, one determined to weaken the Catholic faith of its people. Churches, schools and seminaries were closed; foreign clergy were expelled. Cristóbal established a clandestine seminary at Totatiche, Jalisco. Magallanes and the other priests were forced to minister secretly to Catholics during the presidency of socialist Plutarco Calles (1924-28).

All of these martyrs except three were diocesan priests. David, Manuel and Salvador were laymen who died with their parish priest, Luis Batis. All of these martyrs belonged to the Cristero movement, pledging their allegiance to Christ and to the Church that he established to spread the Good News in society—even if Mexico's leaders once made it a crime to receive Baptism or celebrate the Mass.

These martyrs did not die as a single group but in eight Mexican states, with Jalisco and Zacatecas having the largest number. They were beatified in 1992 and canonized eight years later.

Other saints we honor today:

            St. Constantine:  Roman Emperor who legalized Christianity with the Edict of Milan – Battle of the Milvan Bridge in Rome – son of St. Helena who found the True Cross