St. Christopher Magallanes and Companions

St. Christopher Magallanes and companions lived in Mexico in the early twentieth century under an anti-Catholic government. Because the government had closed seminaries, churches, and schools, St. Christopher Magallanes and his fellow priests had to minister in secret. Christopher even secretly established a seminary in Jalisco. Over 22 years, throughout 8 Mexican states, Christopher, 21 other diocesan priests, and 3 lay people were martyred by the government for their Catholicism. His last words were “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.” The group of martyrs was beatified in 1992, and canonized by Pope St. John Paul II in 2000.