I have spoken in past Blogs of the youth group that comes in summer to take on building projects, bring in the hay and winter’s fire wood, etc. The adults who bring the youth are members of the Knights of Columbas. *
Recently, in the magazine they send us, I found martyrs from the revolution in Mexico
The 1920s brought a revolution to Mexico
During this time of oppression and cruelty, the Knights of Columbus did not retreat in Mexico United States
Thousands of men, many of whom were Knights, would not bow to these threats or renounce their faith, and they often paid with their lives. They took a stand when that was the most difficult thing they could do. Six priests were members of the Knights, joining the ranks of the Mexican Martyrs, among the 25 victims of religious persecution canonized in 2000 by Pope (St. ) John Paul II.
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| Father Pedro |
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| Father Jose Maria |
Father Pedro de Jesus Maldonado Lucero was forced to study for the priesthood in El Paso , Texas , because of the political situation in Mexico
Father Jose Maria Robles Hurtado was ordained in 1913, founding the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Guadalajara Mass.
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| Father Rodrigo |
Father RodrigoAguilar Alemán of Union de Tula in Jalisco was issued a warrant for his arrest, so took refuge a the Colegio de San Ignacio in Ejutla, celebrating Mass and administering the sacraments.
Rather than escape when soldiers arrived, Father Rodrigo remained at the seminary to burn the list of seminary students, and thus protect them from being known. When the soldiers demanded his identity, he told them only that he was a priest.
He was taken to the main square of Ejutla
But he replied, “Christ the King and Our Lady of Guadalupe.” The noose that had been secured to a mango tree was tightened, then relaxed twice. Each time it was relaxed, he was asked the same question and each time he gave the same response. The third time the noose was tightened, he died. |
| Father Miguel |
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| Father Mateo |
Father Miguelde la Mora de la Mora of Colima, along with several other priests, publicly signed a letter opposing the anti-religious laws imposed by the government. He was soon arrested and, with his brother Regino looking on, Father Miguel was executed Aug.7,1927 without a trial by a single shot from a military officer as he prayed his rosary.
Father Mateo Correa Magallanes, who was a member of Council 2140, was arrested and taken to Durango
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| Father Luis |
Father Luis Batiz Sainz was born in 1870. On Aug. 15, 1926, at Chalchihuites, Zacatecas, he and three layman were put before a firing squad for refusing to submit to anti-religious laws. When Father Luis asked the soldiers to free one of the captives, Manuel Morales, who had sons and daughters, Morales wouldn’t hear of it.
“I am dying for God," he declared,” and God will care for my children.” Smiling, Father Luis gave his friend absolution and said: “See you in heaven.”
* The Knights of Columbus is the world's largest Catholic fraternal service organization. Founded in 1882 by Michael J. McGivney in New Haven, Connecticut, it was named in honor of the explorer Christopher Columbus. Originally serving as a mutual benefit society to working-class and immigrant Catholics in the United States, it developed into a fraternal benefit society dedicated to providing charitable services, including war and disaster relief, actively defending Catholicism in various nations, and promoting Catholic education The Knights also support the Catholic Church's positions on public policy issues, including various political causes, and are participants in the new evangelization.
Being a native of Co nnecticut
10/29/12).
