Blessed Miguel Pro: 20th century Mexican Martyr

Blessed Miguel Pro: A Mexican Martyr of the 20th Century

Blessed Miguel Pro: A Mexican Martyr of the 20th Century is written by Ann Ball. The book mentioned above is a 1996 compilation of Christian literature that was released by Tan Publishers. Pro, a Catholic priest in Mexico in the early 1920s, is profiled by Ann Ball. Ball recounts Miguel Pro's life beginning in his early years, continuing through his adult years, and culminating in his execution during the Mexican Cristero War. Ball's book offers readers a thorough examination of Miguel Pro's existence from a Catholic viewpoint. Pro spent his entire existence promoting a viewpoint that the Mexican military never supported. He, therefore, kept hiding from the police as he tried to reach to the grassroots and the people in the villages who he felt needed the priest. He disguised himself in different ways as he cycled in the city of Mexico preaching and giving the Holy sacraments. He also begged and fundraised for money and food items which he used to feed the poor.

The Cristero rebellions

The Cristero rebellions lasted from 1926-1929 and resulted in thousands of Catholic executions from the Mexican Government. In 1927, father Miguel was executed and killed by the Mexican police, and he died a martyr fighting for the Catholic faith. At his death point, Father Miguel in Mexican language uttered his last words which are translated to mean, long live Christ, and long live the King. The martyr is known to have confessed the kingdom of Christ both when he was alive and when he died. Miguel Pro was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1988 in other words, he is officially received as a 20th-century martyr in the Catholic Church. Ball’s book is an important step into the canonization of Miguel Pro becoming a Catholic Saint. Author Ann Ball is well known in the Catholic community for writing biographies on modern saints and martyrs in the Catholic Church. Ball has a degree in education and has studied journalism. It is important to mention that the publisher of Ball’s book is a religious publisher. Therefore, both Ann and Tan Books have a religious bias that is ever present throughout the book.

The author's religious bias

It is evident to the reader the moment they open the book that the author asserts her bias towards the Catholic Church. The introduction that Ball writes is straight to the point; she tells her reader that this book is not about the political movement in Mexico and that the situation is too complicated for many to comprehend (xv). The author either assumes her audience is ignorant to comprehend President Calles’ Mexican Constitution of 1917 or the author believes that the events and historical context are not important to her story and therefore omits certain details pertaining to the political environment in Mexico. It is also important to mention the sources used by the author to complete the book. Ball has used other writings she has done as sources and a few other sources from her publisher as well as other religious writings as sources that add to the content of her book on Miguel Pro.

Miguel Pro's early years

The author begins her first chapter explaining that Pro’s life was always filled with danger; from his youth to his death Miguel Pro lived dangerously. Miguel Pro’s childhood is described by the author as a miracle because of his constant illnesses. The author tells the reader about Pro’s close call with death as an infant. For a year the child suffered from countless fever spells, measles, and whooping cough which almost killed the baby. When the family was told the child would not make it and death was eminent, Pro’s father pleaded with God and the Virgin mother, and within a few days, Miguel was restored to full health (3). The author also depicts Miguel as a curious boy who was always energetic and moving around, while the boy was inquisitive and occasionally disobedient. The author’s choice of words dismisses the young boy’s actions as harmless and courageous.

Miguel Pro's faith and heroism

When I read the book, I find it really courageous of the father who lived at such a time to uphold his faith and live in accordance with it. Few people would have dared to publicly confess their Catholic faith during the reign of President Plutarco Elias Calles who was against the faith. Though in many instances he was prosecuted and executed even for offenses like an attempted political assassination, he went on risking his life to finish his training and preach to the people of Mexico. I find a hero not only in faith but also in life in Father Miguel especially when I read that he underwent three surgeries on the stomach and only one was done with anesthesia. My favorite parts of the book was when he used his humor and comical character to disguise himself from the police and seem like just the ordinary citizen.

Ann Ball's depiction of Miguel Pro

Ann Ball in her book brings out the picture of a man who though would not be considered a saint, fought the battles and went to every extreme he found necessary to spread the gospel and help the poor. She reveals the happenings that Christians went through during that dangerous period in Mexico. Though Ball had limited information making her write a short book, her work has been used for reference purposes in most of the Catholic books that discuss the issues of martyrdom. Ann brings out a picture of the existing conflicts that up to date are witnessed between faith in the church and the political, social, and cultural enemies. She also highlights the impacts the supremacy of the political structure and environment has on the religious faith when she explains how Father Miguel was accused and executed for political assassination, an idea he never had.

Recommendation

I would highly recommend anyone seeking to understand the true value of martyrdom and the issues that Christians go through in places where the religion is considered inappropriate. The book provides an understanding of faith-related issues, the sacrifices, and the devotion that believers have gone through in maneuvering an environment that is not conducive to their faith. The book also gives an understanding of the conflicts in faith and highlights the main enemies of the faith.

Work Cited

Ball, Ann. Blessed Miguel Pro: 20th-century Mexican Martyr. Rockford, Ill: Tan Books, 1996. Print.