![[Blessed Miguel Agustin Pro]](http://saints.sqpn.com/saintm16.jpg "8kb jpg photograph of Blessed Miguel Agustin Pro, 23 November 1927, photographer unknown")
Profile
Son of a mining engineer. From childhood he was known for high spirits and cheerfulness, and he grew up in a pious home. Born to privilege, he had great affinity for the poor and working classes. Victim of recurring stomach disorder. Jesuit novice at 20. Exiled during the Mexican Revolution, he continued his studies abroad.
Ordained in Belgium in 1925 at age 36, he returned to Mexico in 1926, a time when churches were closed, priests were in hiding, and persecution of the Church was governement policy. Father Miguel used disguises to conduct an underground ministry, bringing the comfort of charity and the sacraments to the covert faithful.
Falsely accused in 1927 of a bombing attempt, Pro became a wanted man, was betrayed to the police, and without trial, he was sentenced to death. The photograph on this page was taken the day of his martyrdom. As he was about to be shot, he forgave his executioners, refused a blindfold, and died shouting “Long live Christ the King!” The government prohibited a public funeral, but the faithful lined the streets when his body passed.
Born
- 13 January 1891 at Guadalupe, Zacatecas, Mexico
- martyred by firing squad on n23 November 1927 in Mexico City, Mexico
- 10 November 1986 by Pope John Paul II (decree of martyrdom)
- if you have information relevant to the canonization of Blessed Miguel, contact
Rev. Anton Witwer, SJ
Compañía de Jesús
Calle Puebla 144
Col. Roma
06700 Cuauhtémoc, Mexico D.F., MEXICO
Additional Information
- Book of Saints, by the Monks of Ramsgate
- Catholic Online
- Hagiography Circle
- Our Sunday Visitor’s Encyclopedia of Saints
Readings
We ought to speak, shout out against injustices, with confidence and without fear. We proclaim the principles of the Church, the reigh of love, without forgetting that it is also a reign of justice. - Miguel Agustin Pro
Does our life become from day to day more painful, more oppressive, more replete with sufferings? Blessed be He a thousand times who desires it so. If life be harder, love makes it also stronger, and only this love, grounded on suffering, can carry the Cross of my Lord, Jesus Christ. - Miguel Agustin Pro
I believe, O Lord, but strengthen my faith…
Heart of Jesus, I love Thee; but increase my love.
Heart of Jesus, I trust in Thee; but give greater vigor to my confidence.
Heart of Jesus, I give my heart to Thee; but so enclose it in Thee that it may never be separated from Thee.
Heart of Jesus, I am all Thine; but take care of my promise so that I may be able to put it in practice even unto the complete sacrifice of my life.
- Miguel Agustin Pro
MLA Citation
- “Blessed Miguel Agustin Pro”. Saints.SQPN.com. 12 August 2010. Web. 22 May 2013. <http://saints.sqpn.com/blessed-miguel-agustin-pro/>