St Cristóbal Magallanes and his Associates

St. Cristobal lived in a situation that was very similar to the situation that Blessed Miguel Agustín Pro, SJ, had to endure.

St. Cristóbal and his 24 fellow martyrs were alive during the time when a very anti-Catholic government was in power in Mexico. The Government was extremely determined to weaken the Catholic faith of its people.

Many different churches, schools, and even many seminaries were actually closed and foreign clergy were expelled. However, this did not stop St. Cristóbal, St. Cristóbal decided to establish a clandestine seminary which was located in Totatiche, Jalisco.

St. Cristóbal and all the other priests during that time were forced to minister secretly to Catholics. This secret service occurred during the presidency of Plutarco Calles which went from 1924-28.

Majority of the martyrs were actually diocesan priests. To be more exact only three martyrs were not diocesan priests.

The three martyrs who were not diocesan priest include; David, Manuel and Salvador who were your average laymen who were martyred with their parish priest, who was Luis Batis.

All martyrs belonged to the very powerful movement named the Cristero movement. The people who were involved would pledge their allegiance to Christ and also to the Church that He had established. The members also made it their responsibility to spread the Good News to as many people as they could even if the Mexican leaders had decided to make it a crime to receive baptism, the sacraments or celebrate the Mass.

When these martyrs were martyred they did not die together. Instead, the martyrs were martyred individually over the span of 22 years in eight different Mexican states. The states that had the highest number of martyrs include; Jalisco and Zacatecas.

These wonderful and brave saints were beatified during the year 1992 and canonized eight years later. These saints feast is celebrated on May 21.

Prayer to St Cristóbal Magallanes and his Associates

St Cristóbal Magallanes and his Associates pray that we may be able to be strengthened and comforted during moments of severe temptation or trial. Help us to learn through your example that our daily choices especially what we chose to do during moments of temptation greatly affect our lives and can make us build awful habits that may try to pull us away from Christ. St Cristóbal Magallanes and his Associates help us to follow the will of the Lord and help us to have faith that he will provide us with any things that we may be missing. St Cristóbal Magallanes and his Associates help us to be more pure of mind, body and soul and help us to chose death over sin and not allow ourselves to fall into temptation.

We ask this through Christ Our Lord and Mary Our Mother in Heaven

Amen

St Cristóbal Magallanes and his Associates pray for us

St. Joseph pray for us

May we continue to strengthen our journey to sainthood and keep others in our prayers.

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Works Cited

Information (read from, not taken):

Franciscan Media. "Saint Cristóbal Magallanes and Companions. ”Saint Cristóbal Magallanes and Companions | Franciscan Media. Accessed 21, May 2021.

Images:

Saint Cristóbal Magallanes and Companions. May 21, 2021. Saint Cristóbal Magallanes and Companions - Google Search.