May 25: Saint Cristobal Magallanes

Saint Cristobal Magallanes, 1869 – 1927

Born to a farm family, and worked as a shepherd in his youth. Entered the seminary at 19. Parish priest at Totatiche, Mexico. Helped found schools, a newspaper, catechism centers for children and adults, carpentry shops, and an electric plant to power the mills. Worked with the indigenous people to form agrarian cooperatives with the town’s people. Noted for his devotion to Our Lady.

When the anti-Church government closed all seminaries, Father Cristobal gathered displaced seminarians, and started his own seminary; it was quickly suppressed. He formed another, and another, and when they were all closed, the seminarians conducted classes in private homes.

He wrote and preached against armed rebellion, but was falsley accused of promoting the Cristero guerilla revolt. Arrested on 21 May 1927 while en route to celebrate Mass at a farm. Gave away his few remaining possessions to his executioners, gave them absolution, and without a trial, he was martyred with Saint Agustin Caloca.

SOURCE: http://saints.sqpn.com/saintc98.htm