Blessed Miguel Agustín Pro
Feast Day: November 23
“Viva Cristo Rey!” (Long live Christ the King!) – Last words of Blessed Miguel Pro
Blessed Miguel Agustín Pro, a Jesuit priest and martyr, is remembered for his courageous witness to the faith during the persecution of the Church in Mexico. His feast day, celebrated on November 23, honors his fearless devotion to Christ and his joyful, faith-filled ministry in the face of danger.
A Jesuit Called to Serve in Persecution
Miguel Pro was born in 1891 in Guadalupe, Mexico, into a devout Catholic family. From a young age, he was known for his joyful spirit, humor, and deep love for God. He entered the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) at the age of 20 but was forced to continue his formation in exile due to the growing anti-Catholic persecution in Mexico.
He studied in Spain, Nicaragua, and Belgium, where he was ordained a priest in 1925. Despite the danger, he returned to Mexico the following year to secretly minister to the faithful under a government that had outlawed public expressions of the Catholic faith.
A Priest in Hiding
In Mexico, Fr. Pro carried out his priestly ministry in secret, often disguised in various costumes—such as a mechanic, a beggar, or a businessman—to avoid detection. He celebrated Mass in private homes, heard confessions, distributed Communion, and provided spiritual support to the suffering faithful.
Throughout his ministry, he remained joyful, kind, and full of humor, even as he knew the constant threat of arrest and death.
Arrest and Martyrdom
In 1927, Fr. Pro was falsely accused of participating in an attempted assassination of a government official. Without a trial, he was sentenced to death.
On November 23, 1927, Fr. Pro was led to the firing squad. Refusing a blindfold, he stretched out his arms in the form of a cross, holding a crucifix in one hand and a rosary in the other. His final words, shouted loud and clear, were “Viva Cristo Rey!” (“Long live Christ the King!”), a cry that became a rallying call for persecuted Catholics in Mexico.
Photographs of his execution, intended by the government to intimidate Catholics, instead inspired even greater devotion and courage among the faithful.
A Witness of Courage and Joy
Blessed Miguel Pro was beatified by Pope St. John Paul II in 1988, recognized for his martyrdom and heroic virtue. He is venerated as a patron of persecuted Christians, priests, and all who suffer for their faith.
A Life Offered for Christ the King
Blessed Miguel Pro’s life is a shining example of courage, joy, and unwavering faith in the face of suffering. His love for Christ and the Church inspired him to give his life as a witness to the truth.
Blessed Miguel Agustín Pro, pray for us! Viva Cristo Rey!
