St. Christopher Magallanes and Companions

St. Christopher Magallanes and his 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 and his fellow priests had to minister in secret. St. Christopher even secretly established a seminary in Jalisco. Over several years, St. Christopher, 21 other priests, and 3 lay people were martyred at the hands of the government for their Catholicism. St. Christopher’s 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.” St. Christopher and the other martyrs were canonized by Pope St. John Paul II in 2000.