Saints of the Cristero War
Encyclopedia
On May 21, 2000, Pope John Paul II
canonized
a group of 25 saint
s and martyr
s arising from the Mexican
Cristero War
. The vast majority are Roman Catholic priest
s who were executed for carrying out their ministry despite the suppression under the anti-clerical laws of Plutarco Elías Calles
. Priests who took up arms, however, were excluded from the process. The group of saints share the feast day of May 21.
from age 12, and was ordained
on January 1, 1894. He worked as spiritual director of the seminary and as parish priest in Chalchihuites
, Zacatecas
, and a member of the Knights of Columbus
. He was noted for his pastoral zeal and capacity to organize the parish. He founded a workshop for Catholic workers and a school.
He spent a great part of his time on the catechesis of children and adults and was very fervent in his Eucharist
ic adoration. He is reported to have said, "Lord, I want to be a martyr; though I am your unworthy minister, I want to shed my blood, drop by drop, for your name."
Before the closure of the churches in 1926, there was a meeting of the National League for the Defense of Religious Liberty
which discussed the possibility of armed rebellion to overthrow the government. Fr. Bátiz spoke at this meeting and was denounced to the government. When the churches were closed, he moved to a private house, where he was captured by government soldiers on August 14, 1926. Although there was a public outcry, the government decided to execute the priest. The next day, on the pretext of transferring him to Zacatecas
, he was taken from the city together with three members of the Mexican Association for Catholic Youth. Underway, they were taken from the car and shot on the side of the road.
, he was ordained a priest in 1905. He was known for his literary abilities, writing both prose and poetry. He worked in various parishes. He was a Knight of Columbus and a member of Council 2367.
In 1927, he was the priest connected with the Tula
Union, but was denounced for his ministry. He fled, taking refuge in a ranch, from which he attended to the spiritual needs of his flock. He was betrayed to the government by one of the members of his parish, leading to his arrest on October 27 by a squad of federal soldiers led by Brigadier General Juan Izaguirre.
The day after his arrest, Father Alemán was led to the main plaza of Ejutla for execution by hanging. He blessed his captors and gave them his pardon, giving his rosary
as a gift for one of the executioners. However, his captors decided to toy with Father Alemán and put his convictions to the test. After placing the noose on his neck from the rope on a mango tree, they repeatedly asked him, "Who lives?" expecting an answer of "Long live the supreme government," but instead, he shouted the Cristero motto: "Long live Christ the King and Blessed Mary of Guadalupe!" They pulled on the rope and suspended him before lowering him and repeating the question again. This happened three times (with each time repeating the Cristero motto), and on the third time that he was suspended, Father Alemán died. He was buried in the parish church at Tula.
, but was sent back to his family when the building was sacked during the Mexican Revolution
. He continued his studies in a clandestine auxiliar seminary. In 1919, he was able to return to Guadalajara and was ordained on August 15, 1923. His priestly assignment was to the parish of Totatiche
and to the prefecture of the seminary.
Government troops closed in to close down the seminary in late May 1927. Fr. Caloca Cortés sent the students to flee to safety, and himself attempted to do the same, but was captured by a group of soldiers. He found himself in the jailhouse of Totatiche, together with Fr. Cristóbal Magallanes
. General Goñi ordered his transfer to Colotlán
, where he was executed by firing squad in the burned city hall building on May 25, 1927. His heart was found to be incorrupt when his body was returned to the parish of Totatiche in 1933.
, and was ordained on November 30, 1890. He worked in various parishes, showing a profound dedication to the Blessed Virgin Mary and to catechesis, directing spiritual exercises, and parish schools. He founded the association "Daughters of Mary and Nocturnal Adoration". He built numerous chapels on the ranches. When the Calles Law forced the closing of the churches, he continued his ministry in private houses.
He was captured by government forces and underwent torture
. He was taken to Yahualica
, where he spent several days tied up, without food and water. On April 21, 1927, he was taken to an open grave, where he was executed by firing squad. His remains were later disinterred and brought to Nochistlán
.
on October 5, 1901. He worked as a ranch hand for his family until the parents decided to send him to Teocaltiche to learn to read and write. There he discovered his vocation and entered a clandestine seminary in 1918. Two years later, he was sent to Guadalajara to finish his training. He was ordained on July 24, 1927 and sent to Cuquío
a year later, where the parish was being run from a ranch house, "Las Cruces". There, on June 29, 1928, he joined his pastor, St. Justino Orona Madrigal, and they prayed and discussed the situation in their parish.
In the early dawn of July 1, he was apprehended by a squad of soldiers. In the jail he attended Fr. Orona Madrigal and his brother, who were there covered with wounds. While he was praying at the foot of the bed, the soldiers shot Fr. Cruz. His still living body was thrown on to the porch together with Fr. Orona. The two were then taken to Cuquío, where their bodies were dragged through the central square, during which they died.
These saints were canonized on the same day but were not martyred in the Cristero War:
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 ...
canonized
Canonization
Canonization is the act by which a Christian church declares a deceased person to be a saint, upon which declaration the person is included in the canon, or list, of recognized saints. Originally, individuals were recognized as saints without any formal process...
a group of 25 saint
Saint
A saint is a holy person. In various religions, saints are people who are believed to have exceptional holiness.In Christian usage, "saint" refers to any believer who is "in Christ", and in whom Christ dwells, whether in heaven or in earth...
s and martyr
Martyr
A martyr is somebody who suffers persecution and death for refusing to renounce, or accept, a belief or cause, usually religious.-Meaning:...
s arising from the Mexican
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...
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...
. The vast majority are Roman Catholic priest
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
s who were executed for carrying out their ministry despite the suppression under the anti-clerical laws of Plutarco Elías Calles
Plutarco Elías Calles
Plutarco Elías Calles was a Mexican general and politician. He was president of Mexico from 1924 to 1928, but he continued to be the de facto ruler from 1928–1935, a period known as the maximato...
. Priests who took up arms, however, were excluded from the process. The group of saints share the feast day of May 21.
Luis Bátiz Sainz
Luis Bátiz Sainz was born on September 13, 1870. He attended a minor seminaryMinor seminary
A minor seminary is a secondary boarding school created for the specific purpose of enrolling teenage boys who have expressed interest in becoming priests. They are generally Roman Catholic institutions, and designed to prepare boys both academically and spiritually for vocations to the priesthood...
from age 12, and was ordained
Holy Orders
The term Holy Orders is used by many Christian churches to refer to ordination or to those individuals ordained for a special role or ministry....
on January 1, 1894. He worked as spiritual director of the seminary and as parish priest in Chalchihuites
Chalchihuites
Alta Vista, or Chalchihuites, is a small Mesoamerican archaeological site in the Mexican state of Zacatecas, in the northwest of Mexico. The archaeological site of Alta Vista, at Chalchihuites, is located 137 miles to the northwest of the city of Zacatecas and 102 miles southeast of the city of...
, Zacatecas
Zacatecas
Zacatecas officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Zacatecas is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 58 municipalities and its capital city is Zacatecas....
, and a member of the Knights of Columbus
Knights of Columbus
The Knights of Columbus is the world's largest Catholic fraternal service organization. Founded in the United States in 1882, it is named in honor of Christopher Columbus....
. He was noted for his pastoral zeal and capacity to organize the parish. He founded a workshop for Catholic workers and a school.
He spent a great part of his time on the catechesis of children and adults and was very fervent in his 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...
ic adoration. He is reported to have said, "Lord, I want to be a martyr; though I am your unworthy minister, I want to shed my blood, drop by drop, for your name."
Before the closure of the churches in 1926, there was a meeting of the National League for the Defense of Religious Liberty
National League for the Defense of Religious Liberty
National League for the Defense of Religious Liberty or National League for the Defense of Religious Freedom was a religious civil rights organization formed in March 1925 in Mexico which played a crucial role in the Cristero War of 1926-1929...
which discussed the possibility of armed rebellion to overthrow the government. Fr. Bátiz spoke at this meeting and was denounced to the government. When the churches were closed, he moved to a private house, where he was captured by government soldiers on August 14, 1926. Although there was a public outcry, the government decided to execute the priest. The next day, on the pretext of transferring him to Zacatecas
Zacatecas, Zacatecas
Zacatecas is a city and municipality in Mexico and the capital of the state of Zacatecas. It is located in the north central part of the country. The city had its start as a Spanish mining camp in the mid 16th century. Prior to this, the area's rich deposits in silver and other minerals were known...
, he was taken from the city together with three members of the Mexican Association for Catholic Youth. Underway, they were taken from the car and shot on the side of the road.
Rodrigo Aguilar Alemán
Rodrigo Aguilar Alemán was born on May 13, 1875. After his seminary training in GuzmánGuzman
Guzman is a Spanish surname of toponymic origin, deriving from the village of Guzmán, in the region of Burgos. Originally de Guzmán, or "of Guzmán", the preposition has frequently been dropped. The Portuguese form of the name is Gusmão....
, he was ordained a priest in 1905. He was known for his literary abilities, writing both prose and poetry. He worked in various parishes. He was a Knight of Columbus and a member of Council 2367.
In 1927, he was the priest connected with the Tula
Tula, Hidalgo
Tula, formally, Tula de Allende, is a town and one of the 84 municipalities of Hidalgo, in central-eastern Mexico. The municipality covers an area of 305.8 km² , and as of 2005, the municipality had a total population of 93,296, with 28,432 in the town...
Union, but was denounced for his ministry. He fled, taking refuge in a ranch, from which he attended to the spiritual needs of his flock. He was betrayed to the government by one of the members of his parish, leading to his arrest on October 27 by a squad of federal soldiers led by Brigadier General Juan Izaguirre.
The day after his arrest, Father Alemán was led to the main plaza of Ejutla for execution by hanging. He blessed his captors and gave them his pardon, giving his rosary
Rosary
The rosary or "garland of roses" is a traditional Catholic devotion. The term denotes the prayer beads used to count the series of prayers that make up the rosary...
as a gift for one of the executioners. However, his captors decided to toy with Father Alemán and put his convictions to the test. After placing the noose on his neck from the rope on a mango tree, they repeatedly asked him, "Who lives?" expecting an answer of "Long live the supreme government," but instead, he shouted the Cristero motto: "Long live Christ the King and Blessed Mary of Guadalupe!" They pulled on the rope and suspended him before lowering him and repeating the question again. This happened three times (with each time repeating the Cristero motto), and on the third time that he was suspended, Father Alemán died. He was buried in the parish church at Tula.
Agustín Caloca Cortés
Agustín Caloca Cortés was born in San Juan Bautista de Teúl on May 5, 1898. He attended the seminary in Guadalajara, JaliscoGuadalajara, 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...
, but was sent back to his family when the building was sacked during the Mexican Revolution
Mexican Revolution
The Mexican Revolution was a major armed struggle that started in 1910, with an uprising led by Francisco I. Madero against longtime autocrat Porfirio Díaz. The Revolution was characterized by several socialist, liberal, anarchist, populist, and agrarianist movements. Over time the Revolution...
. He continued his studies in a clandestine auxiliar seminary. In 1919, he was able to return to Guadalajara and was ordained on August 15, 1923. His priestly assignment was to the parish of Totatiche
Totatiche
The municipality and town of Totatiche is located in the northern extreme of the state of Jalisco, Mexico between 21°48’30” and 22°06’00” latitude north and 103°20’00” and 103°34’00” longitude east at a height of above sea level. The municipality is bordered on the north and southeast by the...
and to the prefecture of the seminary.
Government troops closed in to close down the seminary in late May 1927. Fr. Caloca Cortés sent the students to flee to safety, and himself attempted to do the same, but was captured by a group of soldiers. He found himself in the jailhouse of Totatiche, together with Fr. Cristóbal Magallanes
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...
. General Goñi ordered his transfer to Colotlán
Colotlán
The municipality of Colotlán is located in the northern extremity of the Mexican state of Jalisco. The municipality covers an area of approximately 505 square kilometers...
, where he was executed by firing squad in the burned city hall building on May 25, 1927. His heart was found to be incorrupt when his body was returned to the parish of Totatiche in 1933.
Román Adame Rosales
Román Adame Rosales was born on February 27, 1859. He studied for the priesthood in Guadalajara, JaliscoGuadalajara, 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...
, and was ordained on November 30, 1890. He worked in various parishes, showing a profound dedication to the Blessed Virgin Mary and to catechesis, directing spiritual exercises, and parish schools. He founded the association "Daughters of Mary and Nocturnal Adoration". He built numerous chapels on the ranches. When the Calles Law forced the closing of the churches, he continued his ministry in private houses.
He was captured by government forces and underwent torture
Torture
Torture is the act of inflicting severe pain as a means of punishment, revenge, forcing information or a confession, or simply as an act of cruelty. Throughout history, torture has often been used as a method of political re-education, interrogation, punishment, and coercion...
. He was taken to Yahualica
Yahualica
Yahualica could refer to:*Yahualica de González Gallo, Jalisco*Yahualica, Hidalgo...
, where he spent several days tied up, without food and water. On April 21, 1927, he was taken to an open grave, where he was executed by firing squad. His remains were later disinterred and brought to Nochistlán
Nochistlan
Nochistlán is a town in the Mexican state of Zacatecas. Nuño Beltrán de Guzmán, on December 3, 1531, hired Juan de Oñate to establish a village in Nochistlán; the village would be named Guadalajara to honor Guzmán for having been born in Guadalajara....
.
Atilano Cruz Alvarado
Atilano Cruz Alvarado was born in TeocalticheTeocaltiche
Teocaltiche is a city and municipality in the central-western Mexican state of Jalisco. Teocaltiche is located in the northeastern highlands region of Jalisco, commonly referred to in Spanish as "Los Altos de Jalisco"...
on October 5, 1901. He worked as a ranch hand for his family until the parents decided to send him to Teocaltiche to learn to read and write. There he discovered his vocation and entered a clandestine seminary in 1918. Two years later, he was sent to Guadalajara to finish his training. He was ordained on July 24, 1927 and sent to Cuquío
Cuquío
Cuquío is a town and municipality, in Jalisco in central-western Mexico. The municipality covers an area of 580.96 km².As of 2005, the municipality had a total population of 19,176....
a year later, where the parish was being run from a ranch house, "Las Cruces". There, on June 29, 1928, he joined his pastor, St. Justino Orona Madrigal, and they prayed and discussed the situation in their parish.
In the early dawn of July 1, he was apprehended by a squad of soldiers. In the jail he attended Fr. Orona Madrigal and his brother, who were there covered with wounds. While he was praying at the foot of the bed, the soldiers shot Fr. Cruz. His still living body was thrown on to the porch together with Fr. Orona. The two were then taken to Cuquío, where their bodies were dragged through the central square, during which they died.
Complete List of Saints
-
- Cristóbal Magallanes JaraCristóbal Magallanes JaraSaint 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...
(1869–1927) - Román Adame Rosales
- Rodrigo Aguilar Aleman
- Julio Álvarez Mendoza
- Luis Batis Sáinz
- Agustín Caloca CortésAgustín Caloca CortésAgustín Caloca Cortés was one of the martyrs of Mexico during the Cristero War.Father Caloca Cortés was born in El Teúl, Zacatecas...
- Mateo Correa MagallanesMateo Correa MagallanesSaint Mateo Correa Magallanes was born on 23 July 1866 at Tepechitlán, Zacatecas, Mexico. He was a Knight of Columbus, of Council 2140. He attended the seminary at Zacatecas on a scholarship, in 1881. He was ordained as priest in 1893 at the age of 27...
- Atilano Cruz Alvarado
- Miguel De La Mora De La Mora
- Pedro Esqueda Ramírez
- Margarito Flores García
- José Isabel Flores Varela
- David Galván Bermudes
- Salvador Lara Puente
- Pedro de Jesús Maldonado (1892–1937)
- Jesús Méndez Montoya
- Manuel Morales
- Justino Orona Madrigal
- Sabas Reyes Salazar
- José María Robles HurtadoJosé María Robles HurtadoSaint José María Robles Hurtado was a Mexican priest and one of the several priests martyred during the Cristero War.-Biography:...
- David Roldán Lara
- Toribio Romo GonzálezToribio Romo GonzálezSaint Toribio Romo González was a Mexican martyr who died in the Cristero War.He was born April 16, 1900, in Santa Ana de Guadalupe, Jalostotitlán, Mexico. In 1912 he entered the Auxiliary Seminary in San Juan de los Lagos. He was a playful and happy seminarian who loved to joke. In 1922 he was...
- Jenaro Sánchez DelgadilloJenaro Sánchez DelgadilloSaint Jenaro Sánchez Delgadillo was a Mexican martyr who died in the Cristero War....
- Tranquilino Ubiarco Robles
- David Uribe Velasco
- Cristóbal Magallanes Jara
These saints were canonized on the same day but were not martyred in the Cristero War:
- José Maria de Yermo y ParresJosé Maria de Yermo y ParresSaint José María de Yermo y Parres was a Mexican priest and founder of the Religious Servants of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and of the Poor. He was ordained a priest in the Diocese of León, Guanajuato, on August 24, 1879...
(1851–1904) - María de Jesús Sacramentado Venegas (1868–1959)
- Beati:
- Anacleto González FloresAnacleto González FloresAnacleto González Flores was a Mexican Catholic layman and lawyer, executed during the persecution of the Catholic Church under the presidency of Plutarco Elías Calles...
- Miguel ProMiguel ProMiguel Agustín Pro Juárez , also known as Blessed Miguel Pro, was a Mexican Jesuit priest, executed without trial during the persecution of the Catholic Church under the presidency of Plutarco Elías Calles after trumped up charges of involvement in an assassination attempt against former President...
- José Sánchez del RíoJosé Sánchez del RíoBlessed José Luis Sánchez del Río was a young Mexican Cristero who was put to death by government officials because he refused to renounce his Catholic faith. He has been declared a martyr and was beatified by Pope Benedict XVI on November 20, 2005.-Life:José Luis Sánchez del Río was born on March...
- Anacleto González Flores
See also
- Cristero WarCristero WarThe 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...
- Rafael Guízar Valencia
- List of canonizations
- Martyrs of the Spanish Civil WarMartyrs of the Spanish Civil WarMartyrs of the Spanish Civil War is the name given by the Catholic Church to the people who were killed by Republicans during the war because of their faith. As of July 2008, almost one thousand Spanish martyrs have been beatified or canonized...