And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:6
Miguel Pro (1927)
“Long live Christ the King!”
The Mexican Revolution that began in 1910 created great instability in the country and caused massive tensions between the Church and President Calles, who strictly enforced new anti-clergy laws and persecuted Christians. After spending some time abroad, Miguel returned to Mexico as a church leader, in defiance of the ban on church ministry. He was arrested along with his brothers Humberto and Roberto on the false accusation of attempting to blow up former president Álvaro Obregón. This was used to condemn Miguel and Humberto to death without a trial, but the real reason for their arrest was the fact that they were church leaders and were thus considered enemies of the regime.
President Calles sought to disgrace Miguel by inviting members of the press and photographers to capture the execution. But the plan seriously backfired when Miguel faced the firing squad on 23 November 1927 with grace and fortitude. He said: “May God have mercy on you. May God bless you. Lord, you know that I am innocent. With all my heart I forgive my enemies.”
His last words were the defiant cry of the rebels who resisted the president’s anti-clergy laws, “Long live Christ the King!” The photographs of Miguel’s execution were printed and distributed around the world, and he was hailed as a martyr.
Persecution against the Church continued for years, and tens of thousands of Christians lost their lives. But their resolve to remain faithful to the end was strengthened by Miguel’s example.
Your dear Son has taught us that life is eternal and life cannot die, so death is only an horizon and an horizon is only the limit of our sight. Open our eyes to see more clearly and draw us close to you… You have told us that you are preparing a place for us; prepare us also for that happy place, that where you are we may also be always, O dear Lord, of life and death.
William Penn (1644-1718)