Blessed Miguel Pro: Celebrating This Playful, Prayerful Christian Martyr

photo credit: Wikimedia Commons

Blessed Miguel Pro (1891-1927) was a priest during the brutal reign of the ferociously anti-Catholic President Plutarco Elías Calles.

Amid this religious persecution, Blessed Miguel Pro constantly outsmarted and outmaneuvered officials for a long time. He was brave, witty, playful, and intensely committed to fulfilling his priestly obligation, no matter what.

He traveled throughout the city to celebrate Mass, hear confessions, and care for the poor. Despite physical suffering, he did good work and always did so with a light heart and smile on his face.

Eventually, he was caught on trumped-up charges and sentenced to death. Even as Bl. Miguel Pro stood before the firing squad for a crime he did not commit, he acted with grace and faith.

He died after praying and forgiving those who were to kill him and shouted, "Viva Cristo Rey!" then outstretched his hands and was martyred.

If you do not know about this marvelous Mexican priest and martyr, I encourage you to read about him and get to learn more about him. A good starting point for almost all things Miguel is the Blessed Miguel site once maintained by Ann Ball (may she rest in peace) and now under the direction of Lawrence LeLeux and Father Ray Bucko.

I also recommend Ann Ball's historical fiction book about Bl. Miguel Pro called "Jose Finds the King." It is an engaging, inspiring book about this merry saint.

You can also find out more about him in this superbrief video:


To celebrate this day, feel free to print out these "Secret Agent of God" cards:

You can also print out these circles and use them to either make a garland or laminate them and use them as buttons to wear today:

 If you have enough time (and markers and crayons!), you can make this Blessed Miguel Pro triptych.

 

Viva Cristo Rey!

xo

Vee