St. Christopher Magallanes and Companions

Their story

In the 1920s the government of Mexico began a fierce persecution of the Catholic Church. Churches were closed, foreign priests were expelled, religious schools were shut down, and priests could be arrested simply for celebrating Mass. Many Catholics took up arms in what became known as the Cristero War. Thousands of priests and lay people suffered, and many were killed for their faith. Christopher Magallanes was born in 1869 in Totatiche, in the state of Jalisco, and was parish priest there for many years. He started schools, workshops and a seminary, and he cared for the native peoples of the region. During the persecution he kept ministering to his people in secret, but he spoke out against taking up arms, urging peace. In May 1927 he was arrested on his way to celebrate Mass. Before he was shot, he gave his last possessions to his executioners and said: "I am innocent and I die innocent. I forgive with all my heart those responsible for my death, and I ask God that the shedding of my blood serve the peace of our divided Mexico." A young priest of his parish, St. Agustin Caloca, was killed with him. Pope St. John Paul II canonized Christopher Magallanes and twenty-four companions in 2000. Most were parish priests who refused to abandon their people, and three were lay men. One of them, St. Toribio Romo, is especially loved today by migrants crossing the border, many of whom tell stories of his help. These martyrs remind us of the price of religious freedom and of the power of forgiveness.