"Long Live Christ the King!": the Battle Cry of Blessed Father Miguel Pro

Miguel pro was born to a prosperous and devout Catholic family in Mexico on January 13, 1891. He faced several health challenges during childhood but, in spite of this, was still a mischievous and happy boy. As a child he was often fond of practical jokes. He grew to be a studios teenager and then a smart and handsome young man. Despite his love of jokes and playful spirit, he was called to the priesthood one day while listening to a sermon on the Passion of the Christ. Miguel was particularly moved by the question the Priest asked: “With all that Christ suffered for us, what are we doing for him”? These words were deeply impactful on young Miguel Pro who was overwhelmed with the feeling that he had not done anything of significance for his Lord. With this weighing on his heart Father Pro decided to join the Jesuits in 1911.

This time period was particularly challenging, though, as the virulent anti-Catholic Mexican Revolution had thrown the country into great upheaval. The Revolution forced the Jesuits out of Mexico. Father Pro travelled to Spain and Nicaragua where he taught during the early 1920’s. Father Pro became an ordained priest on August 31, 1925. His ordination was completed while he was in Belgium. A studious and serious priest, he continued to be plagued with ill health and this was one of the reasons he returned to Mexico. However, the Mexico the Jesuits had fled was no different upon his return. In fact, the new government was rabidly anti-Christian and anti-clerical. Mexico now had strict anti-clerical laws that made saying Mass or the giving of the sacraments illegal. These laws, the Calles laws, forced faithful priests like Father Pro to carry out his duties secretly in what became known as the “underground priesthood.” Father Pro conducted his Godly missions cleverly, using many disguises as he delivered the sacraments and conducted Mass in secret. His spirit was not diminished by the challenges he and his brothers faced and by all accounts, Father Pro conducted his underground duties with great joy.

The faithful were thankful for such a priest, but, unfortunately, the anti-clericalism of the Mexican Revolution had severe and tyrannical leaders. Father Pro’s continued devotion made him a marked man as far as the government was concerned. His execution was ordered by President Calles on November 23, 1927 following a trumped-up phony charge of attempted assassination – a charge that was immediately proven false. He was sentenced to execution without a trial for his crimes of serving the Lord and his people.

President Calles had alerted the media, certain that a Priest being sent to his death would exhibit what this wicked man believed to be the cowardice of the clergy. More importantly, Calles hoped that Father Pro’s execution would serve as a warning to other Priests. However, Calles had underestimated Father Pro, who was a man of great courage and faith. At his execution by firing squad, Father Pro refused the blindfold. Asking only before he was to be shot to death by firing squad, could he pray? He was granted this, and he calmly told his executioners “May God have mercy on you. May God bless you! Lord, thou knowest I am innocent. With all my heart I forgive my enemies.” With this simple statement and prayer Father Pro then raised his arms and shouted out bravely “Viva Cristo Rey” (Long Live Christ the King)!

The government of Mexico had several callous exploitive photographs of Father Pro’s execution published in newspapers, hoping it would serve as a warning to the faithful of Mexico. However, the government had gravely misjudged the faithful Christians. Instead of the photos terrifying the Christians into compliance, it inspired the Christians to carry on as Father Pro had done during persecution.

Christians are no strangers to persecution, but Father Pro helped the Christians of Mexico visualize and carry on his mission of serving Christ. The abject failure of President Calles’ plan must have never seemed more apparent than on the day of the funeral procession of Father Pro. On that day, the tyrant Callas looked down from his office to see over 40,000 people marching in the procession while another 20,000 were waiting at the cemetery. It must have been particularly difficult for him to hear what this crowd were saying. They were reminding him and the world that Christ has already won the battle. Indeed, for every Godly person, like Father Pro, who dies defending the faith, others will take up the cause for Christ. They too, will defiantly repeat the battle cry “Long Live Christ the King.”

Father Pro rapidly became known as a Martyr for the faith and a Martyr for the Mexican people. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II on September 25, 1988.