After a happy childhood in a loving and religious family in Guadalupe, Mexico, Miquel Pro entered the seminary to study to become a Jesuit priest. The seminary closed when the government began to persecute Catholics. Miquel had to flee his country. He was finally ordained in Belgium in 1925 when he was thirty-four years old.
Miquel returned to Mexico even though it was dangerous because the government had forbidden Catholics to practice their faith. Miquel had to minister to his beloved Mexican people in secret. It is said that he wore disguises to protect himself and others. He dressed as a beggar and visited homes to say Mass or baptize babies. He wore a police officer’s uniform when he visited the jail to bring the sacraments to prisoners. He was willing to do anything to help people know that the Church loved and cared for them in Jesus’ name.
Miquel was betrayed by someone who knew about his secret ministry. He was arrested and charged with attempting to kill Mexico’s President. The charges were completely untrue, but Miquel was sentenced to death before a firing squad.
Miquel’s last words were “Viva Cristo Rey!” which means, “Long live Christ the King!” Miquel had spent his life serving our King, Jesus. We can pray to Blessed Miquel Pro. We can ask him to help us be grateful that we are free to live our faith. We can pray that Blessed Miquel will give us the strength to follow Jesus in our daily lives.
Related posts: