Getting to know Blessed Miguel Pro

Until this week, I knew very little about Blessed Miguel Pro. As part of Paper Dali’s Blessed Miguel Link Up Fiesta, I am sharing a bit of what I learned.

Blessed Miguel Augustine Pro Juárez (1891-1927) was martyred for being a Catholic priest during the persecution of the Church in Mexico. His execution was ordered by Mexican President Plutarco Elías Calles. He was beatified in 1988.

From the Society of Jesus:

Father Pro had no difficulty entering his homeland in June 1926, but at the end of July the government suppressed all public worship and closed the churches. Every priest became a hunted criminal. Faithful Mexicans, however, still sought the sacraments so Pro continued his ministry in secret. He established stations in various parts of Mexico City and visited them regularly to preach and offer the sacraments. He usually lived with his family, who had moved to Mexico City, but he also had some other places where he could seek shelter. Two of his brothers, Humberto and Roberto, helped him in his work by printing and distributing literature for the Religious Defense League. The young Jesuit lived without fear and carried on his priestly ministry until November 1927.

On Sunday, Nov. 13, someone attempted to assassinate General Alvaro Obregón with a bomb which exploded without killing the general. Neither Fr. Pro nor his brothers were involved in the plot but one of them owned a car used in the attempt and had sold it only days earlier. The brothers decided it would be safer to leave Mexico for the United States, but before they could depart, police surrounded the house where they were staying and arrested all three Pro brothers. The actual mastermind of the plot, Luis Segura, turned himself into the police when he heard that Father Pro had been arrested and blamed for the attempt. President Calles wanted to make an example out of the Jesuit even though the one actually responsible for the crime was in custody. On Nov. 22 he invited friends to a special execution the following day.

Soldiers escorted the unsuspecting Jesuit priest into the prison yard the morning of Nov. 23. When he saw the spectators and the firing squad, he asked for a few moments to pray, and then refused the blindfold when it was offered. Holding his rosary in his hand, he stood in front of the bullet-chipped wall and stretched his arms out in the form of a cross. When the order came to fire, he cried out, “Vivo Cristo Rey! Long live Christ the King.” His brother Humberto was executed later that morning but Roberto was spared at the last moment. Luis Segura was also shot that morning. Pro’s father claimed the body and had a wake in the family home; thousands of workers as well as soldiers came by to see the martyr’s body.

We ought to speak, shout out against injustices, with confidence and without fear. We proclaim the principles of the Church, the reign of love, without forgetting that it is also a reign of justice.

— Miguel Agustin Pro, S.J.

Blessed Miguel Pro Links:

• Paper Dali has lots of goodies on Bl. Miguel and even a recently published activity book.
• Ann Ball, author of one of my favorite books, Catholic Traditions in Crafts. created a very thorough site on Blessed Miguel Pro, S.J. which is still being maintained.
• Visit Ignatian Spirituality for a nice biography.
• Catholic News Agency has a very nice video biography on YouTube.

This post documents my baby steps towards getting to know Blessed Miguel. Hopefully others will find it helpful.

Now, I’m relying on Vee’s Blessed Miguel Link Up Fiesta and everyone’s creative posts for feast day celebration ideas!

Viva Cristo Rey