Blessed Miguel Agustin Pro– 23rd November

“¡Viva Cristo Rey!”—Long live Christ the King!—were the last words Pro uttered before he was executed for being a Catholic priest and serving his flock.Born into a prosperous, devout family in Guadalupe de Zacatecas, Mexico, Miguel entered the Jesuits in 1911, but three years later fled to Granada, Spain, because of religious persecution in Mexico. He was ordained in Belgium in 1925.Father Pro immediately returned to Mexico, where he served a Church forced to go “underground.” He celebrated the Eucharist clandestinely and ministered the other sacraments to small groups of Catholics.He and his brother Roberto were arrested on trumped-up charges of attempting to assassinate Mexico’s president. Roberto was spared, but Miguel was sentenced to face a firing squad on November 23, 1927. His funeral became a public demonstration of faith. Miguel Pro was beatified in 1988.

What the Feast Commemorates

The feast day of Blessed Miguel Augstin Pro (November 23) commemorates:

Martyrdom: The feast commemorates Blessed Miguel Pro’s martyrdom on November 23, 1927, during the Mexican Cristero War, when he was executed for his faith.
Witness to Faith: It honors his fearless commitment to the Catholic Church amid severe persecution and his dedication to serving others despite danger.
Joyful Sacrifice: His joyful spirit and courage in facing death, exemplified by his final words, “Viva Cristo Rey!” (“Long live Christ the King!”), are remembered.
Religious Freedom: The feast highlights his role in defending religious freedom and his ultimate sacrifice for Christ during a time of anti-Catholic oppression in Mexico.

The day honors him as the patron saint of those who suffer persecution for their faith, especially for religious freedom.

Spiritual Meaning

This feast highlights:

Witness to Christ in Adversity: Blessed Miguel Pro’s life teaches us how to remain steadfast in our faith, even when facing grave challenges. His joyful spirit and unwavering commitment to Christ, despite being persecuted and eventually martyred, remind us that faith should be lived out boldly, especially in difficult times.
Courage in the Face of Injustice: His unjust trial and execution inspire believers to endure injustice with dignity and trust in God’s plan. His final words, “Viva Cristo Rey!” (“Long live Christ the King!”), emphasize the importance of standing for Christ, even in the most hostile environments.
Love for God and Neighbor: Despite the risks, Pro continued to serve others by administering the sacraments and caring for the faithful, showing that love for God and neighbor can overcome fear and danger. His willingness to sacrifice his life for others highlights the call to love sacrificially.
Religious Freedom: The feast underscores the importance of religious freedom, reminding Catholics of the value of being able to practice one’s faith without fear of oppression. Blessed Pro’s martyrdom calls for the protection of religious rights and the dignity of conscience.

In summary, the spiritual meaning of his feast day calls Catholics to remain joyful in their faith, to stand up for justice, to serve others in love, and to defend religious freedom, all while trusting in God’s providence, even in the most challenging circumstances

1123 Blessed Miguel Pro 2p SMC 8.5 x 11 R1R 20240720

Blessed Miguel Agustín Pro

“The most they can do is kill me, and that only on the day and in the hour that God has appointed.”

“If I suffer, I am happy, because I am doing God’s will; if I am in danger, God protects me; if I die, I go to heaven. What more could I want?”

“The world may take everything from us, but it cannot take our faith, our hope, or our love for Christ the King.”

“Every day I offer my life to God, and I ask only that He use me as an instrument to spread His love and truth.”

https://youtube.com/shorts/vuL2x4BGWsU

Novena to Blessed Miguel Agustin Pro

Blessed martyr of Christ the King, Father Miguel Agustin Pro, you are a special patron of those who labor, those in illness, depression, or despair. You are also a friend of musicians, the captives, and all who work toward social justice. Your beloved brothers, the Jesuits, revere you and count you among the ranks of their saints. You love your people of Mexico and all those loyal to the Church.
(Mention your request here…)
I thank the Sacred Heart for loving you so dearly. I pray to Our Lady of Guadalupe, whom you love so dearly, to intercede for the cause of your canonization. I pray that you remember me in your eternal and well-deserved rejoicing, and also my needs: [state needs]. Through your courageous life and martyrdom you have won the crown of life everlasting. Remember me, Blessed Miguel, for I remember you. Long live Christ the King! Long live Our Lady of Guadalupe!

Collect

Our God and Father,
who conferred upon your servant Blessed Miguel Agustín Pro
the grace of ardently seeking your greater glory
and the salvation of others,
grant through his intercession and example,
that by faithfully and joyfully performing our daily duties
and effectively assisting those around us,
we may serve you with zeal
and ever seek your glory.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, forever and ever.

Prayer

Lord, you gave Blessed Miguel the grace to seek Your glory and the salvation of souls. Through his prayers, may we serve and glorify You by faithfully performing our daily duties and helping our neighbors.
Amen.

Blessed Miguel Pro, your gripping last moments sear the mind and pierce the heart. Grant us just an ounce of your ocean of daring, fortitude, and perseverance in living and sharing the faith. Help us to be more like you!

Prayer Composed by Blessed Miguel Agustin Pro

Does our life become from day to day more painful, more oppressive, more replete with afflictions. Blessed be He a thousand times who desires it so. If life be harder, love makes it also stronger, and only this love, grounded on suffering, can carry the Cross of my Lord Jesus Christ. Love without egotism, without relying on self, but enkindling in the depth of the heart an ardent thirst to love and suffer for all those around us: a thirst that neither misfortune nor contempt can extinguish…

I believe, O Lord; but strengthen my faith… Heart of Jesus, I love Thee; but increase my love. Heart of Jesus, I trust in Thee; but give greater vigor to my confidence. Heart of Jesus, I give my heart to Thee; but so enclose it in Thee that it may never be separated from Thee. Heart of Jesus, I am all Thine; but take care of my promise so that I may be able to put it in practice even unto the complete sacrifice of my life.

Catholic Prayer: Chaplet of Blessed Miguel Pro, SJ

Blessed Miguel, before your death, you told your friend to ask you for favors when you were in Heaven. I beg you to intercede for me and in union with Our Lady and all the angels and saints, to ask Our Lord to grant my petition, provided that it be God’s Will…

(mention the request)

We honor and adore the triune God.

The Gloria…

We ask the Holy Spirit for guidance.

Come Holy Ghost...

We pray as Jesus taught us to pray.

The Our Father…

We venerate with love the Virgin Mary.

Hail Mary…

All you angels, bless you the Lord forever.
Saint Joseph, Saint {name of your patron}, and all the saints, pray for us.
Blessed Miguel, high spirited youth, pray for us. Viva Christo Rey.
Blessed Miguel, loving son and brother, pray for us. Viva Christo Rey.
Blessed Miguel, patient novice, pray for us. Viva Christo Rey.
Blessed Miguel, exile from your homeland, pray for us. Viva Christo Rey.
Blessed Miguel, prayerful religious, pray for us. Viva Christo Rey.
Blessed Miguel, sick and suffering, pray for us. Viva Christo Rey.
Blessed Miguel, defender of workers, pray for us. Viva Christo Rey.
Blessed Miguel, courageous priest in hiding, pray for us. Viva Christo Rey.
Blessed Miguel, prisoner in jail, pray for us. Viva Christo Rey.
Blessed Miguel, forgiver of persecutors, pray for us. Viva Christo Rey.
Blessed Miguel, holy martyr, pray for us. Viva Christo Rey.