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

Advent Coloring and Activity Book 2016 [Printable]

Advent begins on Nov. 27 this year, and my heart has already begun the journey of expectation and hope. As I illustrated and created my new Advent coloring book, I found my mind reflecting on the beauty of the upcoming liturgical season.

In drawing wise men, I was reminded of how they sought him, how they saw the brilliant heavenly sign beaming from on high, and how they left all that they knew to go and encounter Christ.

A photo posted by Vee (@paper_dali) on Nov 14, 2016 at 1:44pm PST

In drawing St. Nicholas, I thought of how closely he followed Christ and sought to live a holy life, despite persecution. He thought of others, risked so much for the lives of people he didn't even know because his life was a testimony to Christ.

A photo posted by Vee (@paper_dali) on Nov 5, 2016 at 8:16am PDT

And as always, in drawing Mama Mary, I asked her to pray for all of us. She loves us so much, and she wants us to know how much the Lord loves us. Like a good mother, she prays for us and checks in on us. So, I thoroughly enjoyed drawing a brand-new Our Lady of Guadalupe for my coloring book.

A photo posted by Vee (@paper_dali) on Nov 11, 2016 at 7:02am PST

All those Instagram pictures are a behind-the-scenes look at my creating the Advent Coloring and Activity Book 2016.

The 31-page PDF features all new illustrations and almost all-new activities. You can find out more about it by visiting my Etsy shop.

May this upcoming liturgical season fill you with hope, peace, love, and joy.

xo
Vee

All Saints Day Coloring Page [Printable]

Blessed Miguel Pro once said that he'd do a Mexican hat dance in heaven... and that's how I imagine heaven---lots of music and food (aka, the Eucharistic banquet).

In that same light-hearted view, I drew an All Saints Day coloring page last year and share it again here for your coloring pleasure.

You can download the link for the free coloring page and print it right away. Be sure to use lots of color, and don't worry about coloring within the lines.

(Oh, and if you do use it, I'd love to see a picture of it. The easiest way to show me is to tag me in either Facebook or Instagram. FYI: Instagram's my faaaaaavorite social network.)
xo
Vee