José María Robles Hurtado
Encyclopedia
Saint José María Robles Hurtado (May 3, 1888–June 26, 1927) was a Mexican
priest and one of the several priests martyred during the Cristero War
.
, Jalisco
. At age twelve, he entered the seminary at Guadalajara
. He was ordained to the priesthood at Guadalajara
in 1913, at the age of 25. A few years later, he founded the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. He wrote a number of works to propagate the Catholic faith, and also cathechized others in ways which were contrary to the laws of the country at the time. While serving as the pastor at a parish in Tecolotlán
, he began to promote greater devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus through his preaching, his personal example and his great devotion to the Eucharist
. His fervency was so pronounced that he became known as the "Madman of the Sacred Heart". He was known to work tirelessly for the care of the sick in his parish, and often spent several hours hearing the confession
s of his parishioners. He also worked for greater reverence to Our Lady of Guadalupe
. He was a Knight of Columbus council 1979.
to be placed in the geographic center of Mexico
, which he said would be symbolic of how Mexico recognized Christ as its king, and organized a public ceremony for the laying of the cornerstone of the cross, in direct violation of the existing constitution.
In anticipation of the laying of the cornerstone, signs were placed throughout Mexico proclaiming Christ
the "King of Mexico", and declaring the nation’s devotion to the Sacred Heart. In 1923, an estimated 40,000 Roman Catholics made their way to the site of the cross to take part in the groundbreaking ceremonies at the hill, which was at the time called "La Loma" and is today called the mountain of Christ the King. After this open display of defiance, the government decided to intensify its persecution of Catholics in Mexico and to ensure that Robles in particular would not engage in such acts again.
Despite the increasing persecution of Catholics in general and explicit invitations to him to leave Mexico personally, Robles remained and continued to minister to his congregation and offer what solace he could to the survivors and families of Catholics who had been persecuted and killed by the government. In time, he even went further, and promoted the idea of armed defense of Catholics who were suffering from the persecution.
, he was led to the tree. In a final display of compassion for his executioners, he offered a small votive candle
he had in his pocket to them to help light the path to the tree where he would be hanged. Upon arriving there, he forgave the men for what they were about to do. He took the noose into his own hands, saying "Don’t dirty your hands" to the man who brought it, kissed it, and placed it around his own neck.
on November 22, 1992, and canonized on May 21, 2000 by Pope John Paul II
, together with others involved in the Cristero War, including Cristobal Magallanes Jara
and his 24 companions in martyrdom, and María de Jesús Sacramentado Venegas, the first Mexican woman to be canonized.
Mexican people
Mexican people refers to all persons from Mexico, a multiethnic country in North America, and/or who identify with the Mexican cultural and/or national identity....
priest and one of the several priests martyred during the Cristero War
Cristero War
The Cristero War of 1926 to 1929 was an uprising and counter-revolution against the Mexican government in power at that time. The rebellion was set off by the strict enforcement of the anti-clerical provisions of the Mexican Constitution of 1917 and the expansion of further anti-clerical laws...
.
Biography
He was born to the devoutly Catholic family of Antonio Robles and Petronilla Hurtado in MascotaMascota
Mascota is a town and municipality, in Jalisco in central-western Mexico. The municipality covers an area of 1,591.63 km².As of 2005, the municipality had a total population of 14,045....
, Jalisco
Jalisco
Jalisco officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Jalisco is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is located in Western Mexico and divided in 125 municipalities and its capital city is Guadalajara.It is one of the more important states...
. At age twelve, he entered the seminary at Guadalajara
Guadalajara, Jalisco
Guadalajara is the capital of the Mexican state of Jalisco, and the seat of the municipality of Guadalajara. The city is located in the central region of Jalisco in the western-pacific area of Mexico. With a population of 1,564,514 it is Mexico's second most populous municipality...
. He was ordained to the priesthood at Guadalajara
Guadalajara, Jalisco
Guadalajara is the capital of the Mexican state of Jalisco, and the seat of the municipality of Guadalajara. The city is located in the central region of Jalisco in the western-pacific area of Mexico. With a population of 1,564,514 it is Mexico's second most populous municipality...
in 1913, at the age of 25. A few years later, he founded the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. He wrote a number of works to propagate the Catholic faith, and also cathechized others in ways which were contrary to the laws of the country at the time. While serving as the pastor at a parish in Tecolotlán
Tecolotlán
Tecolotlán is a town and municipality, in Jalisco in central-western Mexico. The municipality covers an area of 795.55 km².As of 2005, the municipality had a total population of 14,984.-History:...
, he began to promote greater devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus through his preaching, his personal example and his great devotion to the Eucharist
Eucharist
The Eucharist , also called Holy Communion, the Sacrament of the Altar, the Blessed Sacrament, the Lord's Supper, and other names, is a Christian sacrament or ordinance...
. His fervency was so pronounced that he became known as the "Madman of the Sacred Heart". He was known to work tirelessly for the care of the sick in his parish, and often spent several hours hearing the confession
Confession
This article is for the religious practice of confessing one's sins.Confession is the acknowledgment of sin or wrongs...
s of his parishioners. He also worked for greater reverence to Our Lady of Guadalupe
Our Lady of Guadalupe
Our Lady of Guadalupe , also known as the Virgin of Guadalupe is a celebrated Catholic icon of the Virgin Mary.According to tradition, on December 9, 1531 Juan Diego, a simple indigenous peasant, had a vision of a young woman while he was on a hill in the Tepeyac desert, near Mexico City. The lady...
. He was a Knight of Columbus council 1979.
Persecution
At the time, the Constitution of 1917, which prohibited any public processions or other devotional practices, was the law. Hurtado proposed the creation of a huge crossCross
A cross is a geometrical figure consisting of two lines or bars perpendicular to each other, dividing one or two of the lines in half. The lines usually run vertically and horizontally; if they run obliquely, the design is technically termed a saltire, although the arms of a saltire need not meet...
to be placed in the geographic center of Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, which he said would be symbolic of how Mexico recognized Christ as its king, and organized a public ceremony for the laying of the cornerstone of the cross, in direct violation of the existing constitution.
In anticipation of the laying of the cornerstone, signs were placed throughout Mexico proclaiming Christ
Christ
Christ is the English term for the Greek meaning "the anointed one". It is a translation of the Hebrew , usually transliterated into English as Messiah or Mashiach...
the "King of Mexico", and declaring the nation’s devotion to the Sacred Heart. In 1923, an estimated 40,000 Roman Catholics made their way to the site of the cross to take part in the groundbreaking ceremonies at the hill, which was at the time called "La Loma" and is today called the mountain of Christ the King. After this open display of defiance, the government decided to intensify its persecution of Catholics in Mexico and to ensure that Robles in particular would not engage in such acts again.
Despite the increasing persecution of Catholics in general and explicit invitations to him to leave Mexico personally, Robles remained and continued to minister to his congregation and offer what solace he could to the survivors and families of Catholics who had been persecuted and killed by the government. In time, he even went further, and promoted the idea of armed defense of Catholics who were suffering from the persecution.
Death
Robles Hurtado recognized the likelihood of his being killed for his actions, and wrote a poem in which he explicitly stated, "I want to love you until martyrdom". He was finally arrested on 25 June 1927 for saying a Mass in the home of the Agraz family, who were hiding him at the time. He was found guilty, and sentenced to be hanged from an oak tree. The next day, before dawnDawn
Dawn is the time that marks the beginning of the twilight before sunrise. It is recognized by the presence of weak sunlight, while the sun itself is still below the horizon...
, he was led to the tree. In a final display of compassion for his executioners, he offered a small votive candle
Votive candle
A votive candle or prayer candle is a small candle, typically white or beeswax yellow, intended to be burnt as a votive offering in a religious ceremony. It now also refers to a standard size of candle two inches high by one and a half inches diameter, of any color or scent.-Christian use:Candles...
he had in his pocket to them to help light the path to the tree where he would be hanged. Upon arriving there, he forgave the men for what they were about to do. He took the noose into his own hands, saying "Don’t dirty your hands" to the man who brought it, kissed it, and placed it around his own neck.
Veneration
He was beatified by Pope John Paul IIPope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
on November 22, 1992, and canonized on May 21, 2000 by Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
, together with others involved in the Cristero War, including Cristobal Magallanes Jara
Cristóbal Magallanes Jara
Saint Cristóbal Magallanes Jara, also known as Christopher Magallanes is a martyr and saint venerated in the Catholic Church who was killed without trial on the way to say Mass during the Cristero War after the trumped up charge of inciting rebellion. He was born in Totatiche, Jalisco, Mexico on...
and his 24 companions in martyrdom, and María de Jesús Sacramentado Venegas, the first Mexican woman to be canonized.