(1891-1927) Miguel Augustin Pro Juarez was one of 11 children born to a pious Catholic mining engineer in Mexico. He was spiritual as a child but mischievous, full of humor, and a practical joker. He began the Jesuit novitiate in Mexico, fled to California during the Mexican Revolution, taught in Nicaragua, and was ordained a priest in Belgium. He returned to Mexico while the celebration of the sacraments was punishable by imprisonment or death. Miguel often wore disguises to minister to the persecuted, underground Catholics, and was finally arrested on a false accusation of bombing. He was executed by a firing squad at age 36.
Saint John Paul II said at Miguel Pro’s beatification on September 25, 1988, “Neither suffering nor serious illness, nor the exhausting ministerial activity, frequently carried out in difficult and dangerous circumstances, could stifle the radiating and contagious joy which he brought to his life for Christ and which nothing could take away.” Do you radiate contagious joy? Like Blessed Miguel, do you embrace Jesus Christ as the King of your life?
“Viva Cristo Rey!” (“Long live Christ the King!”) (Blessed Miguel Pro’s last words).
Reflection by Brad Farmer