I came across this fascinating video via Hallowed Ground. It includes interviews with those who were involved at the time.
The video highlights some of the many atrocities of the Government forces and the execution of innocent civilians. I am aware also of the conduct of the Cristeros in some instances, for example the burning of a train carrying civilians. However, there are some inspiring stories of the genuine martyrs of this period, including Fr Miguel Pro (left)and the 14 year old Jose Sanchez del Rio.
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Dear Father,
On a totally unrelated note, I had a look through Fr Bede's parish page, and he has what has to be the coolest close up picture of a parish priest to date.
http://www.st-georges-warminster.org.uk/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=45&MMN_position=62:62
That is BLESSED Miguel Pro!
¡Viva Cristo Rey!
Miss Mexico's dress (for the Miss Universe contest this year) apparently shows some of these scenes... and has caused quite a storm!!
Saint David Galván Bermudes, Priest and Martyr
His memorial day in the calendar of saints is May 25.
Born January 29, 1881, in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico.
Entered the Guadalajara seminary at age 14, and excelled in his studies.
Questioning his vocation, he left the seminary for three years. He worked, dated, wasted his time, and lived a dissolute lifestyle. At one point he was arrested for hitting his girlfriend while he was drunk.
He eventually began to reconsider a vocation to the priesthood. After a year's probation, he was allowed to return to the seminary.
He received priestly ordination on May 20, 1909.
He served as seminary instructor at Amatitán, Jalisco, and subsequently became Supervisor of the Amatitán seminary.
During periods when Catholics rose up to oppose the government’s violent suppression of the Church, he went into the field of fire to nurse the injured and give them the sacraments.
On one such mission to Guadalajara, he was arrested for being a priest. He comforted fellow prisoners and heard their confessions in the hours before his execution.
While standing before the firing squad, Fr. David pointed to his chest, inviting the bullets of the executioners, thus dying on January 30, 1915, in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico.
Pope John Paul II beatified him on November 22, 1992, and canonized him on May 21, 2000.
Many thanks, Fr Stephanos.
Fr. Tim,
I'm sorry that I failed to introduce that saint by saying,"Here's one of the priestly Mexican martyrs with a colorful history."
Catholic Heroes - every one of them! Such bravery and love for Jesus from such young Catholics. If we could have a handful of young people such as these in our various Catholic Schools up and down the country today what a difference it would make, how more vibrant the Faith would be.
I wish our RE courses concentrated less on being another GCSE subject and far far more on teaching our youngsters about their Catholic Faith and Glorious Heritage.
I wonder how many youngsters in our Catholic Schools in the UK would even know what the Cristero War was or have ever heard of Fr Miguel Pro and those famous words
'Viva Cristo Rey'!
But I guess they're taught precious little if anything about our own English Martyrs. Even more worrying is the ignorance of such colossal numbers of 'catholic' parents about their Faith.
Where has it all gone so wrong???
This is sad... we have the examples of Saint David Galván Bermudes and Blessed Miguel Pro to show us how to stand up to oppressive, aetheistic governments.
What do we have present day? Polish "Catholic" clerics who collaborated with the Communists, and American "Catholic" clerics who openly hob-nob with baby-butcher politicians.
St. David Bermudes and Bl. Miguel Pro, Ora Pro Nobis.
Thanks Father Tim for the video, I live in the Guadalajara and my family came directly from the "Los Altos" region where most of the cristero war took place and where if you visit it you can still find the most devout catholic region in Mexico.
If anyone is interested to know more about the Cristero War I recommend reading Jean Meyer's books as he is widely credited as the most respected historian of that revolution.
Viva Cristo Rey!
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