Imagine the horror of living under a radical, secular government
trying to stamp out religious freedom. Oh, wait! I think I can name
one . . .
May 21 – Feast of Saint Christobal & the Martyrs
St. Christobal Magallanes & Companion Martyrs - Cristóbal and
his 24 companion martyrs lived under a radical, secular, and 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 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.
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