Today is the feast of Christopher Magallanes, priest, and companions, martyrs.
St. Christopher Magallanes was joined in martyrdom by twenty-one diocesan priests and three devout laymen, all members of the Cristeros movement, who rose up in rebellion against the anti-Catholic Mexican government during the 1920s. Having erected a seminary at Totatiche, he secretly spread the Gospel and ministered to the people. Captured by government authorities, he was heard to shout from his jail cell: "I am innocent and I die innocent. I forgive with all my heart those responsible for my death, and I ask God that the shedding of my blood serve the peace of our divided Mexico."
Here is their entry in the Martyrologium Romanum.
Sanctorum Christopheri Magallanes, presbyteri, et sociorum, martyrum, qui variis in dicionibus Mexici, in odium Christianis nominis et catholicae Ecclesiae persecuti atque Christum Regem confessi, coronam martyrii sunt consecuti.
Also in the Martyrologium Romanum there is this interesting entry:
4. Commemoratio sanctorum martyrum utriusque sexus, quos Alexandriae in Aegypto sacris diebus Pentecostes sub Constantio imperatore Georgius episcopus arianus saevissime occidi vel in exsilium relegari praecepit.
There is also an entry for Bl. Jean Mopinot, a Christian Brother, who died in the hideous prision ship hulks off of Rochefort.
Each day I take a look at the entries in the MartRom. They are fascinating and edifying.
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I have received word that translating the new Roman Martyrology is on ICEL’s list AFTER finishing the Roman Missal. I am curious when the Liturgy of the Hours will be revised? And the other Sacraments? Patience… patience… *sigh*
As a mexican, I must say that the anti-religion laws (thanks to a dynasty of free-mason presidents and law-makers) are still there, but not enforced. It is my prayer that they will be erased to prevent a second episode of persecution.
This also reminds me of a previous post regarding what to carry with you in such situations.
!Viva Cristo Rey!
!Viva nuestra Reina la Virgen de Guadalupe!
Each day I take a look at the entries in the MartRom. They are fascinating and edifying.
Especially if one uses the pre-Vatican II Roman Martyrology, which conveys much more powerfully the extent to which early Christians were willing to suffer in defense of their faith.
“Especially if one uses the pre-Vatican II Roman Martyrology, which conveys much more powerfully the extent to which early Christians were willing to suffer in defense of their faith.”
I have started reading that daily for now, until the new Martyrology is translated. It seems like there is a gruesome entry almost every day. I am mixed with feelings of immense gratitude, inspiration, and apprehension… when it’s time to read the day’s entry! I am curious if the new edition goes into such detail.
Geoffrey,
I hope you are young, because the wait could be very long!
I am still hoping to see the fifth volume of the LOH that was to encompass votive offices etc. As far as I can determine I will never see it. In the mean time I discovered a wonderful little volume containing the day hours in Latin and English. It is:
The Monastic Diurnal from St. Michael\’s Abbey Press. It is Benedictine and goes back to 1961. This is not the Roman Breviary; but, it is very nice and gives a better feel for the older form of Office for those of us who are Latin Challenged. I don\’t use it all the time because of the limited number of saints involved; but it is nice.
Maybe Fr. Z could explain the ritual that is included in the MartRom. I just don\’t have the time to sit and even try to translate the RED. Please FR. Z, just a little help!
Father–
First–thanks for the very kind writeup of my brother’s parish, Saint Mary’s, Norwalk, where he is a a priest in residence. And here is an article I did for THIS ROCK on the Cristeros your readers may find useful.
http://www.catholic.com/thisrock/2007/0709fea2.asp
Pax et bonum,
Chris
Viva Mexico y Cristo Rey!!!