Blessed Miguel Pro

Feast Day: November 23

• Miguel Pro was a Jesuit priest at a time of Catholic persecution in Mexico. He was a prayerful man who radiated charity for God and others. His intense spirituality was equally matched with an intense love for humor and pranks.

• During this time of persecution, anti-Catholic laws were passed that did not allow priests to minister publicly, or even to wear clothing that identified them as priests in public. The celebration of the sacraments were suppressed and punishable by imprisonment or death. He entered the novitiate in Mexico but was forced to flee and finish his studies in Spain.

• Seeing how the Church was driven underground in Mexico, Fr. Pro petitioned his superiors for permission to return to Mexico incognito and to carry on his ministry undercover. He would dress as a beggar and scour the underground Church in Mexico, visiting the oppressed faithful. While incognito, he was able to baptize infants, bless marriages and celebrate Mass. He would even dress up as a police office, sneak into jails, and bring Holy Viaticum to condemned Catholics.

• Fr. Pro continuously risked his life so that the faithful would have access to the sacraments. Falsely accused in the bombing attempt on a former Mexican president, he was sentenced to death without the benefit of any legal process.

• On the day of his execution, officials had news photographers present, expecting Fr. Pro to die cowardly. Instead, he faced his executioners with a crucifix in one hand and a rosary in the other and held his arms out in imitation of the crucified Christ. Before the firing squads were given the order to shoot, he forgave his executioners, prayed, and died proclaiming, "Viva Cristo Rey" -- "Long live Christ the King!"

• Pope St. John Paul II beatified Miguel Pro on September 25, 1988, as a martyr for the faith.

Blessed Miguel Pro, Pray for Us!