Christ the King - Martyrs

                       

Today is the 100th anniversary of the establishment of Solemnity of Christ the King. In 1925, Pope Pius XI introduced the feast in response to the rise of secularism, atheism, fascist dictators and political turmoil in the early 20th century. The abuse of power is what led to its introduction—using power in the opposite way that Jesus used His power.

For example, during the Mexico revolution, from 1910 to to 1920, the government wanted to extinguish the influence of the Catholic Church throughout the country. They started executing priests, seizing the Catholic Church's property, and closing religious schools and convents, in accordance with anti-clerical laws that were written into the Mexican Constitution. People from many of the central and western states in Mexico rebelled against the government in defense of the Catholic Church.

Fr. Miguel Pro, a priest, and Jose Sanchez, a 12-year-old boy, were martyred both bearing witness to Christ the King.

Fr. Miguel Pro had a great love for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, and had great devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe. Despite his illness and the fierce persecution from the government, which forbid all worship, he continued to minister to the faithful with great courage and zeal. He disguised himself as a layman, so he could administer the sacraments secretly. By wearing regular clothes, he was able to go about the city giving 1,300 Holy Communion in a single day. Despite the danger of getting caught by police, he continued to administer the sacraments and was arrested several times.

In 1927, after a bomb exploded, aimed at killing the president. Although Fr. Miguel had nothing to do with it, he blamed for it and was arrested. He had no trial, but was condemned to death. Just before his death, as he stood before a firing squad, with arms outstretched, his last words were, “Vivo Christo Rey”, “Long live Christ the King”.

St. Jose Luis Sánchez del Río, who was born in 1913 in Mexico. Jose loved his faith and grew up with a strong devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe. He was 12-years-old when the Cristero War began in Mexico and desperately wanted to be a Crister and the chance to stand up for his faith. He begged his mother to let him join, saying, "Mama, do not let me lose the opportunity to gain Heaven so easily so soon." However, because of his age, the general of the Cistero army refused to allow him join the movement, but later allowed Jose to become the flag-bearer for the troop.

On January 25, 1928, Jose was captured by the government troops and imprisoned in the sacristy of the local church. During his captivity, Jose was ordered to renounce his faith in Christ. Even under the threat of death, he refused. He was forced to watch the hanging of another Cristero. Instead of breaking his resolve, Jose encouraged the man, telling him they would meet again soon in Heaven.

During his time in captivity, he prayed the rosary daily and wrote a letter to his mother. He told her he was ready to fulfill the will of God.

On February 10, 1928, after realizing they would not break Jose's faith, the government troops cut the bottom of his feet and forced him to walk around the town toward the cemetery. As he walked, he recited the rosary, prayed for his enemies, and sang songs to Our Lady of Guadalupe.

He cried out in pain, but did not give in. They told him that if he shouted, "Death to Christ the King," they would spare his life. Instead, Jose shouted, "I will never give in. Viva Cristo Rey y Santa Maria de Guadalupe! (Long Live Christ the King and Holy Mary of Guadalupe!)."

On Feb. 10, 1928, they transferred Jose to a building close to where he was being held and told his family that he would be shot. One of his aunts brought him Holy Communion. He wrote a note to his aunt saying, “I am sentenced to death. At 8:30pm, the moment that I have desired so, so much will arrive. I thank you for all the kindnesses you’ve shown me, you and Magdalena.” At the age of 14, Jose was shot and died as a martyr.

St. José Luis Sánchez del Río was beatified by Pope Benedict XVI on November 20, 2005 and on January 21, 2016, Pope Francis approved a miracle attributed to him and he was officially canonized on October 16, 2016.

Both martyrs proclaimed Jesus Christ the King. But Our Lord was not a worldly king. He was not a military leader. Rather, Jesus is the King of heaven and earth, but He was not given a royal cloak, but mocked when given a scarlet military cloak. He was not crowned with a golden crown, but was crowned with a crown of thorns. He was not given a royal scepter, but a reed was placed in His hands. Rather than bowing out of reverence, the soldiers bowed to their knees mocking Jesus, saying “All Hail, King of the Jews”. He was not hailed as King, out of respect, but was mocked and jeered at by soldiers on His deathbed on the Cross. They said, “If you are King of the Jews, save yourself.” As King, He did not issue any decrees, but was given a decree of death. The decree was nailed above His head, which read, “This is Jesus, King of the Jews”.

Since Our Lord's Kingship is exercised through service, by laying down His life for us out of love, then it stands to reason we allow Jesus to rule over us serving His kingdom by doing God’s will in our life. The feast was established as a sign against all those who at that time seeking to absolutize their own political ideologies, and the Church boldly insists that no earthly power, no particular political system, or military dictatorship is ever absolute. Rather, only God is eternal and only the Kingdom of God is absolute.

Every family should place Christ the King as their center of their lives. We do this first and foremost by attending Mass together as a family. In homes families pray before meals and more and more families are praying the Rosary together. When a family prays the Rosary together, wonderful and beautiful things will happen. There is so much pain, suffering, hurt feelings and unforgiveness in families and individuals. And through the family Rosary, God through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, will help families to love, to forgive each other and practice sacrifice and virtue.

We need to take Christ wherever we go. Whether that’s at work, at the local grocery store, at school. Public schools today are now incorporating Jesus Christ into their life with Christian organizations. Dr. Michael Malloy, an arthritis doctor, displays Jesus Divine Mercy picture and a crucifix in his office. The Kansas Surgery in Wichita, a secular facility, has a large Crucifix above the registration desk. A number of restaurants in Lyons, Hutchinson, Newton, and Wichita display a picture of Mary or a Crucifix.

 Today, let us celebrate the feast of Christ the King and may God's kingdom on earth come as it is heaven, through Jesus Christ the King and Mary, the Queen of heaven and earth.