Fr. Pro stretched out his hands in imitation
of our Lord before his execution.
Today is the feast of Bl. Miguel Pro. Fr. Pro was a priest in Mexico during persecution of the Church in the country in the early twentieth century. In order to minister to the people and administer the sacraments he would often have to disguise himself to avoid arrest. In 1927 he was arrested along with his two brothers. Fr. Pro and his brother, Humberto, were martyred on November 23, 1927. When Fr. Pro was led to his execution by firing squad he carried a rosary and crucifix. For his last request he asked to have a moment to pray. He knelt down, prayed, and stood up in the form of a cross, forgiving his executioners saying, "May God have mercy on you. May God bless you. Lord, You know that I am innocent. With all my heart I forgive my enemies." He then proclaimed "Viva Christo Rey!" ("Long Live Christ the King!") as the firing squad took aim.
This and other information can be found in a booklet called Viva Christo Rey by Ann Ball which we have in our Chapel on campus.
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