Bl. Miguel Pro
Born: 1891
Beatified By: Pope John Paul II
Born on January 13, 1891 in Guadalupe, Mexico, Miguel Agustin Pro Juarez was the eldest son of Miguel Pro and Josefa Juarez.
Miguelito, as his doting family called him, was, from an early age, intensely spiritual and equally intense in hi mischievousness, frequently exasperating his family with his humor and practical jokes. As a child, he had a daring precociouness that sometimes went too far, tossing him into near-death accidents and illnesses. On regaining consciousness after one of these episodes, young Miguel opened his eyes and blurted out to his frantic parents, "I want some cocol" (a colloquial term for his favorite sweet bread). "Cocol" became his nickname, which he would later adopt as a code name during this clandestine ministry.
Miguel was particularly close to his older sister and after she entered a cloistered convent, he came to recognize his own vocation to the priesthood. Although he was popular with the senoritas and had prospects of a lucrative career managing his father's thriving business concerns, Miguel renounced everything for Christ his King and entered the Jesuit novitiate in El Llano, Michoacan in 1911.
He studied in Mexico until 1914, when a tidal wave of anti-Catholicism crashed down upon Mexico, forcing the novitiate to disband and flee to the United States, where Miguel and his brother seminarians treked through Texas and New Mexico before arriving at the Jesuit house in Los Gatos, California.
In 1915, Miguel was sent to a seminary in Spain, where he remained until 1924, when he went to Belgium for his ordination to the priesthood in 1925. Miguel suffered from a severe stomach problem and after three operations, when his health did not improve, his superiors, in 1926, allowed him to return to Mexico in spite of the grave religious persecution in that country.
The churches were closed and priests went into hiding. Miguel spent the rest of his life in a secret ministry to the sturdy Mexican Catholics. In addition to fulfilling their spiritual needs, he also carried out the works of mercy by assisting the poor in Mexico City with their temporal needs. He adopted many interesting disguises in carrying out his secret mininstry. He would come in the middle of the night dressed as a beggar to baptize infants, bless marriages and celebrate Mass. He would appear in jail dressed as a police officer to bring Holy Viaticum to condemned Catholics. When going to fashionable neighboorhoods to procure for the poor, he would show up at the doorstep dressed as a fashionable businessmam with a fresh flower on his lapel. His many exploits could rival those of the most daring spies. In all that he did, however, Fr. Pro remained obedient to his superiors and was filled with the joy of serving Christ, his King.
Falsely accused in the bombing attempt on a former Mexican president, Miguel became a wanted man. Betrayed to the police, he was sentenced to death without the benefit of any legal process.
On the day of his execution, Fr. Pro forgave his executtioners, prayed, bravely refused the blindfold and died proclaiming, "Viva Cristo Rey", "Long live Christ the King!"
Information courtesy of ProVision and Brother Gerald Mueller.
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Miguel Pro was sooooo awesome! I have officialy picked him as my Confirmation saint. He has also encouraged me to maybe become a priest when I am old enough. I also have to write a report on him and why he is good for my Confirmation
Fr. Pro is a great inspiration to me right now. We're are being persecuted in a very subtle way though there are laws in place. Justice seems to be on the side of the well to do. The poor have to fend for themselves. Like Fr. Pro, I ask for God's strength and wisdom to stand up for thruth. All honor and glory to our God and Savior, Christ Jesus.
happy feast day Bl. Miguel Pro. thank you for your bravery and sacrifice. we hope you will be canonized soon
Bl. Miguel Pro, You still continue to inspire us with your example of forgiveness. Please continue to pray for us.
VIVA CHRISTO VIVA MEXICO
i have an assignment for my church history class and i had to find a martyr. i found miguel pro and when i read about him, i was completely interested. if you have an asssignment of researching and martyr, i recomend MIGUEL PRO.
This article is very encouraging.pray 4 we youths that we may seek the face of God and to serve him wt all our hearts.viva Cristo rey!!!
In about 1985 I had a dream of a priest being shot by soldiers. I was pregnant with Frank Vincent H., who lived 3mo.17days&Fthr.Detterman blessed & listened as I told him my dream when I woke up screaming Immanuel!My daddy died 1yr. ago today.Blsd MiglPro
As a very small child, 6 or 7 years old, I recall hearing about the religious persecution going on in Mexico. Also, the exciting part Fr. Pro played in continuing God's work in the villiages ministering to Catholics dispite the dangers he faced daily. After reading this info on Fr. Pro, I have gained a better understanding of what was going on in that country and the hardships religious and christians faced at that time.
I'm amazed that the Catholic church has not done more to promote the sainthood of this
modern day (North American) martyr.
Father Miguel Pro´s childhood reminded me of San Juan Bosco, who also was a bright, energetic boy who also loved to make jokes and daring stunts...I didn´t know there is a church in México City where his relics are, so whenever I have the chance to visit that city, for sure I´ll visit his church, too. I know that we may be very blessed by praying to him, asking him for braveness so we may be strong when defending and practicing our religion. Viva Cristo Rey and Father Miguel Pro! thanks for your valuable info, God bless you all... ...
Christian priests at first called Mexican to the independence of Mexico from Spain. But, thereafter, Soldiers' antagonisms were continued in that country. Migel Pro was a victim under that situation. Beautified Migel Pro, requiescat in pace. Amen.
Bl. Miguel Pro, You are an inspiration to me to dedicate all that we do, for the furtherance of Jesus Christ and his Kingdom. Please pray for me.
may padre pro pray for all his people in beautiful Mexico. what the drugs are doing to the country.
Congratulations on such a detailed account on the life of St. Miguel Pro, whose life and martyrdom has been the seed for the growth of the Catholic Church in Mexico. St. Miguel Pro pray for our youth who are tantalized by terrible distractions, drug abuse, cigarettes, time wasting, sex etc. Through your prayers, bring young people to the fount of love, Christ's love. Intercede for us too, parents, who have tried and failed, to raise faith-filled children. We are not giving up because we believe there is hope in the Good Shepherd who'll continue looking for them and bring them to the fold. Help us dear Saint. Amen.
St Miguel Pro, you are an inspiration to me. You have responded to Christ the King as a true and daring soldier, a true son of St Ignatius. Please pray for us that we bear witness to this wonderful King today. The short summary of your life given here is really done well.
Blessed Miguel Pro, thank you beloved saint, who appeals to me because of your ingenuity and mischievious style in serving God. You sound human and funny, that's what brings a smile to my face. God chooses His lovely children to serve Him through their unique gifts. Thank you Blessed Miguel for your exemplary life. Pray for us today. Amen
it help me to choose my saint so i can get confessed thank you very much
Thank you Jesus for Blessed Miguel Pro- he is an inspiration to me in his humility and his forgiveness to those who betrayed him, following closely in the footsteps of our Blessed Lord. I have been to Mexico City prior to learning of Padre Pro and wish I could have visited the church where his relics remain. I experienced a community of people who were on fire for the love of Christ and of the Catholic Church- I am certain the sacrifice of Padre Pro had much to do with the result of the faithful people in Mexico today. We must continue to spread the message in 2011 and beyond- Viva Cristo Rey!
I'm doing a report as well. This would be the best reference I have found since the Wiki page. I highly recommend this page if you would like to know more about this guy.
it was good but doesnt have enough details if your in high school doin a report on it