samedi 1 avril 2017

Bienheureux JOSÉ ANACLETO GONZALEZ FLORES et ses compagnons, martyrs

Bienheureux Anacleto González Flores

Laïc mexicain martyr ( 1927)

Le laïc mexicain Anacleto González Flores, avocat, a été tué le 1er Avril 1927. Une publication le décrit comme 'le Gandhi du Mexique'. Dans le même état ont été assassinés trois jeunes de l'Action catholique mexicaine. Quatre autres laïcs ont été martyrisés dans des situations différentes, entre 1927 et 1928. Tous étaient chrétiens debout, activement engagés dans la défense de la liberté religieuse et l'Eglise.

La liste de ces bienheureux s'ouvre par Anacleto González Flores, qui versa son sang avec les frères Jorge et Ramón Vargas González, et Luis Padilla Gómez, dans cette ville, au cri de 'Je meurs mais Dieu ne meurt pas. Vive le Christ Roi!'. Anacleto González Flores donna sa vie au Créateur, après une vie d'intense piété et un apostolat fécond et audacieux. Après avoir reçu une solide formation humaine et chrétienne, il se consacra à la lutte pour les droits des plus faibles. Connaisseur fidèle de la Doctrine sociale de l'Eglise, il chercha, à la lumière de l'Evangile, à défendre les droits fondamentaux des chrétiens, à une époque de persécution.

Parmi les droits que défendirent en priorité Anacleto González et ses compagnons martyrs se trouvait le droit à la liberté de religion, un droit qui découle de la dignité humaine elle-même... Anacleto González et ses compagnons martyrs cherchèrent à être, dans la mesure du possible, des artisans de pardon et un facteur d'unité réciproque à une époque où le peuple était divisé...


- Lettre Apostolique par laquelle le Pape Benoît XVI inscrit au catalogue des bienheureux 13 martyrs mexicains: Anacleto González Flores et 8 compagnons, José Trinidad Rangel, Andrés Solá Molist, Leonardo Pérez, Darío Acosta Zurita (15 novembre 2005) [Anglais, Espagnol, Latin, Portugais]

Anacleto González Flores cherche à organiser une résistance pacifique face aux lois anti-cléricales en s’inspirant de la doctrine chrétienne. Il est arrêté et torturé en 1927, mais il refuse de dire ce qu’il sait des Cristeros... José Sanchez del Rio a seulement treize ans quand il devient porte drapeau et clairon chez les Cristeros. Capturé en 1928, il refuse de renier sa foi et sera torturé puis abattu après avoir adressé ces paroles à ses parents: 'Nous nous reverrons au ciel. Vive le Christ Roi! Vive la Vierge de Guadalupe!'... Ils sont béatifiés tous deux, avec huit autres laïques et trois prêtres, par Benoît XVI en 2005, le jour de la fête du Christ Roi!



Illustration: Action catholique de la jeunesse mexicaine (en espagnol)



MESSE ET BÉATIFICATION DE 13 MARTYRS MEXICAINS

HOMÉLIE DU CARDINAL JOSÉ SARAIVA MARTINS

Stade Jalisco de Guadalajara

Dimanche 20 novembre 2005

Solennité du Christ Roi de l'Univers


1. Je salue de manière particulière leurs Eminences MM. les Cardinaux, Leurs Excellences les Evêques, les éminentes Autorités, les prêtres et les fidèles des diocèses où ces martyrs naquirent ou versèrent leur sang. J'adresse en outre un salut aux familles de ces nouveaux bienheureux, et je m'unis à leur action de grâce.

"Yahvé est mon berger, rien ne me manque" (Ps 22, 1). En ce jour, l'Eglise proclame Jésus Christ comme le Roi de l'Univers. L'image du roi-pasteur que reprend le prophète Ezéchiel, s'identifie pleinement avec Jésus Christ, le Bon Pasteur qui donne sa vie pour ses brebis (Jn 10, 11), et qui, une fois accomplie sa mission, remettra le Royaume au Père, pour que Dieu soit tout en toutes choses (cf. 1 Co 15, 24-28). Il est le Pasteur et le Roi de l'humanité, qui conduit son troupeau vers des sources tranquilles, en montrant une sollicitude particulière pour les brebis blessées et égarées.

En outre, le Christ est le Roi car il est le "Premier-Né de toute créature, car c'est en lui qu'ont été créées toutes choses [...] le Principe [...] car Dieu s'est plu à faire habiter en lui toute la Plénitude et par lui à réconcilier tous les êtres pour lui" (Col 1, 15.17-20), comme l'affirme l'Apôtre saint Paul.

2. Cette solennité du Christ Roi revêt une signification tout à fait particulière pour le peuple mexicain. Le Pape Pie XI, à la fin de l'Année Sainte 1925, proclama cette fête pour l'Eglise universelle. Quelques mois plus tard, commencèrent sur cette terre les persécutions contre la foi catholique et, au cri de "Vive le Christ Roi!", de nombreux fils de l'Eglise moururent, reconnus comme martyrs, dont treize d'entre eux ont été aujourd'hui béatifiés.

Les martyrs sont les témoins privilégiés de la royauté du Christ. Ils avaient une claire conscience que le royaume d'amour du Christ doit être instauré, même au coût de sa propre vie. La foi des martyrs est une foi éprouvée, comme l'atteste le sang qu'ils ont versé pour elle (Saint Augustin, Sermo 329). Avec tous les saints, ils sont les bénis qui  doivent  prendre  possession  du Royaume préparé pour eux, depuis la création du monde (cf. Mt 25, 34), comme nous l'avons entendu dans l'Evangile qui vient d'être proclamé.

3. En outre, cette fête revêt en ce jour une signification particulière. Aujourd'hui, l'Eglise qui est au Mexique contemple avec une joie particulière la foi et la force de ces 13 hommes qui, reconnaissant le royaume du Christ, offrirent leur vie de manière héroïque dans les années 1927 et 1928. Dans des situations hostiles et dans différentes Eglises particulières, ces fils fidèles de l'Eglise rendirent un témoignage louable des engagements pris le jour de leur baptême, se révélant capables de verser leur sang par amour du Christ et de son Eglise, qui était injustement persécutée.

Il est significatif que dix des treize nouveaux bienheureux fussent laïcs, originaires des Etats de Jalisco, Michoacán et Guanajauto. La plupart de ces laïcs étaient mariés et formaient des familles chrétiennes; les autres, bien que n'étant pas mariés, étaient membres de familles chrétiennes pieuses et de grande moralité.

Ce nouveau groupe de martyrs comprend également trois prêtres, qui moururent pour accomplir héroïquement leur ministère sacerdotal et missionnaire, comme ce fut le cas du missionnaire clarétin espagnol, Andrés Solá Molist, c.m.f., qui mourut après une longue et douloureuse agonie, avec le Père José Trinidad Rangel et le laïc Leonardo Pérez Larios, dans l'Etat de Guanajuato. De même, le prêtre de Vera Cruz, Angel Darío Acosta, qui n'épargna pas ses efforts pour exercer son ministère sacerdotal dans un climat hostile et de persécution, subit le martyre dans des circonstances semblables. Ayant suivi l'exemple de Jésus Bon Pasteur, ces prêtres, avec les 22 prêtres mexicains diocésains canonisés à Rome par le Pape Jean-Paul II au cours du Grand Jubilé de l'Incarnation de l'An 2000, sont un modèle et un exemple de charité et de zèle pastoral héroïques, principalement pour tous les prêtres mexicains.

4. La liste de ces bienheureux s'ouvre par Anacleto González Flores, qui versa son sang avec les frères Jorge et Ramón Vargas González, et Luis Padilla Gómez, dans cette ville, au cri de "Je meurs mais Dieu ne meurt pas" "Vive le Christ Roi!". Anacleto González Flores donna sa vie au Créateur, après une vie d'intense piété et un apostolat fécond et audacieux. Après avoir reçu une solide formation humaine et chrétienne, il se consacra à la lutte pour les droits des plus faibles. Connaisseur fidèle de la Doctrine sociale de l'Eglise, il chercha, à la lumière de l'Evangile, à défendre les droits fondamentaux des chrétiens, à une époque de persécution.

Parmi les droits que défendirent en priorité Anacleto González et ses compagnons martyrs se trouvait le droit à la liberté de religion, un droit qui découle de la dignité humaine elle-même. Comme l'affirme le Concile Vatican II, "cette liberté consiste en ce que tous les hommes doivent être soustraits à toute contrainte de la part tant des individus que des groupes sociaux et de quelque pouvoir humain que ce soit, de telle sorte qu'en matière religieuse, nul ne soit forcé d'agir contre sa conscience ni empêché d'agir, dans de justes limites, en privé comme en public, seul ou associé à d'autres" (Dignitatis humanae, n. 2).

Soutenus par un profond amour pour Jésus Christ et pour leur prochain, ces nouveaux bienheureux ont défendu ce droit de manière pacifique, même au prix de leur sang. Loin d'alimenter des affrontements sanglants, ils recherchèrent la voie pacifique et conciliatrice, afin que soient reconnus ce droit et d'autres droits fondamentaux, niés aux catholiques mexicains. Anacleto González et ses compagnons martyrs cherchèrent à être, dans la mesure du possible, des artisans de pardon et un facteur d'unité réciproque à une époque où le peuple était divisé.

5. Convaincus que "la Vie c'est le Christ et mourir représente un gain" (Ph 1, 21), nos martyrs nourrirent leur aspiration à travers la participation assidue à la Sainte Eucharistie et son adoration. De fait, la profonde dévotion eucharistique est l'un des traits qui réunissent ces treize martyrs. Tous, prêtres et laïcs, démontrèrent un amour particulier pour le Christ dans l'Eucharistie. Il est bon de rappeler que trois des nouveaux bienheureux, les frères Ezequiel et Salvador Huerta Gutiérrez et Luis Magaña Servín, furent membres de l'Association nocturne du Très Saint Sacrement, une Association possédant une longue tradition au sein du peuple mexicain. De la prière assidue et fervente devant le Très Saint Sacrement, nos frères tirèrent la force surnaturelle de supporter de façon chrétienne le martyre, parvenant même à pardonner à leurs bourreaux.

L'intense vie eucharistique de ces bienheureux doit constituer pour nous un exemple et un encouragement pour approfondir toujours davantage notre vie eucharistique. A quelques jours de la clôture de l'Année de l'Eucharistie, et un an après la joyeuse célébration du XLVIII Congrès eucharistique international, qui s'est tenu dans cette bien- aimée ville de Guadalajara, nous demandons l'intercession de ces fidèles fils de l'Eglise, afin qu'ils nous aident à accroître le respect, la participation active et l'accueil digne de Jésus Christ présent dans l'Eucharistie. En outre, nous leur demandons la grâce d'être d'humbles adorateurs du Très Saint Sacrement, comme ils le furent eux-mêmes. Que l'exemple de leur vie, qu'ils donnèrent jusqu'au martyre, soit pour nous un modèle privilégié d'authentique spiritualité et de profonde vie eucharistique!

6. En raison de son courage et de son jeune âge, il faut mentionner de manière particulière l'adolescent José Sánchez del Río, originaire de Sahuayo, Michoacán, qui, à quatorze ans, sut rendre un témoignage courageux à Jésus Christ. Il fut un fils exemplaire et se distingua par son obéissance, sa compassion et son esprit de service. Dès le début des persécutions s'éveilla en lui le désir d'être un martyr du Christ. Sa conviction de vouloir verser son sang pour Jésus fut telle qu'elle étonna ceux qui le connaissaient. Il reçut la palme du martyre après avoir été torturé et avoir adressé ces dernières paroles à ses parents:  "Nous nous reverrons au ciel. Vive le Christ Roi! Vive la Vierge de Guadalupe!".

Le jeune bienheureux José Sánchez del Río doit tous nous exhorter, et surtout vous, les jeunes, à témoigner du Christ dans notre vie quotidienne. Chers jeunes, le Christ ne vous demandera probablement pas de verser votre sang, mais il vous demande dès à présent de rendre témoignage à la vérité dans votre vie (cf. Jn 18, 37), dans un climat d'indifférence  à  l'égard des valeurs transcendantes, ainsi que de matérialisme et d'hédonisme qui cherchent à étouffer les consciences. En outre, le Christ s'attend à ce que vous soyez ouverts afin de pouvoir recevoir et accueillir le projet qu'Il a préparé. Lui seul possède, pour chacun de vous, les réponses aux interrogations de votre vie, et il vous invite à le suivre dans la vie matrimoniale, sacerdotale ou religieuse.

7. "Venez, les bénis de mon père, recevez en héritage le Royaume qui vous a été préparé depuis la fondation du monde" (Mt 25, 34).

Nos martyrs doivent également être pour nous un modèle d'amour inconditionné envers Dieu et notre prochain. L'exemple de leur vie et leur intercession doivent nous aider à vivre avec générosité notre vie, face aux autres, en nous rappelant toujours des paroles de Jésus:  "Dans la mesure où vous l'avez fait à l'un de ces plus petits de mes frères, c'est à moi que vous l'avez fait" (Mt 25, 40).

La charité que nous sommes appelés à vivre, le commandement nouveau (cf. Jn 13, 34), dépasse toute limite posée par une logique humaine et égoïste. C'est une charité qui se traduit en unité, en respect, en service, en aide efficace et effective aux indigents, une charité vécue très souvent de manière héroïque, au sein de sa propre famille ou en dehors de celle-ci, une charité qui, suivant l'exemple du Christ et de ses martyrs, est toujours disposée à pardonner.

De la même façon, nos nouveaux bienheureux méritent qu'on reconnaisse qu'ils ont été des fils très fidèles de l'Eglise catholique et du Pontife Romain. Nous leur demandons, également pour nous, une fidélité héroïque à l'Eglise, à la personne et aux enseignements du Pontife Romain, car ils sont pour nous une expression légitime de la phrase que le Pape Jean-Paul II aimait tant répéter:  "Mexique, toujours fidèle!".

"Tous les temps sont des temps de martyre" - avertit saint Augustin d'Hippone (Sermon 6) - car "tous ceux qui veulent vivre dans le Christ avec piété seront persécutés" (2 Tm 3, 12). Chers frères, vivre pleinement notre don fidèle et quotidien au Christ, par amour pour Lui, pour tous les hommes, comporte de nombreux sacrifices et renoncements. Malgré cela, le Christ sera toujours disposé à nous donner la force nécessaire pour pouvoir le servir et aimer nos frères, en premier lieu les plus faibles et ayant besoin d'amour, de compréhension et de pardon.

8. Ces treize fils fidèles de l'Eglise avaient également une autre caractéristique commune. Ils se distinguèrent, outre par leur intense vie eucharistique, par leur dévotion filiale à la Mère de Dieu, sous son titre de Vierge de Guadalupe. La plupart d'entre eux, comme les autres saints martyrs déjà canonisés, moururent en prononçant son nom. Nous lui demandons de manière particulière de nous offrir sa protection maternelle pour tout le peuple mexicain, et également pour tout le continent, afin que l'enthousiasme demeure et s'accroisse.

Avec Elle, Mère de la Nouvelle Evangélisation, nous rendons grâce au Père pour ces nouveaux bienheureux. De même, nous rendons grâce pour l'Eglise qui est au Mexique, qui ne cesse de porter des fruits de sainteté. Que le Christ Roi, le Bon Pasteur, règne dans nos coeurs! Vive le Christ Roi! Vive la Vierge de Guadalupe!

Amen!


Bienheureux Joseph Anaclet GONZALES FLORES

Nom: GONZALES FLORES
Prénom: Joseph Anaclet (José Anacleto)
Pays: Mexique

Naissance: 13.07.1888  à Tepatitlan (Jalisco)
Mort: 01.04.1927  à Guadalajara

Etat: Laïc  -  Martyr du groupe 9 martyrs du Mexique (1927-1928)  2
Note: Avocat. Chef influent de la résistance au régime persécuteur.

Béatification: 20.11.2005  par Benoît XVI
Cérémonie à Guadalajara (Mexique) présidée par le Card
José Saraiva Martins, préfet de la Congrégation pour les causes des Saints

Canonisation
Fête: 20 novembre

Réf. dans l’Osservatore Romano: 2005 n.47 p.1  -  n.48 p.2
Réf. dans la Documentation Catholique:
Notice

José Anacleto (Joseph Anaclet) Gonzales Flores naît le 13 juillet 1888 à Tepatitlan dans l’état de Jalisco, au Mexique. Sa famille est très pauvre. Fervent chrétien dès sa jeunesse, il enseigne le catéchisme dans les classes et fait des œuvres de charité. Il s’interroge sur sa vocation et fait quelques années de séminaire, puis il devient avocat. Doté d’une vaste culture, il écrit une foule d’articles et des livres d’inspiration chrétienne et lutte pour le droit des plus faibles. Il se marie en 1922 et a deux enfants. Quand la situation religieuse empire, il préconise d’abord la résistance passive non-violente et il épuise toutes les ressources juridiques et civiles possibles au service de la paix et de la réconciliation. Mais, quand il apprend le meurtre de quatre membres de “l’Association catholiques des Jeunes Mexicains”, association dont il avait été lui-même un membre enthousiaste dans sa jeunesse, il s’engage dans la “Ligue pour la Défense de la Liberté Religieuse”. En Janvier 1927, la guérilla s’étend partout dans l’état de Jalisco. Anacleto se cache successivement dans de nombreuses retraites et écrit des bulletins de liaison entre les résistants avec des indications de stratégie. C’est un chef influent ; on l’appelle “le Maestro”. Il est pris le matin du 1er avril 1927 dans la famille Gonzalès avec les deux frères Vargas. A la prison Colorado de Guadalajara, il est torturé, mais on ne réussit pas à lui extorquer des informations. Au général Ferreira qui assiste à son supplice, il dit en désignant son bourreau : « Je lui pardonne de bon cœur. Bientôt nous nous reverrons devant le tribunal divin. Le même juge qui me jugera sera son juge : Alors il trouvera en moi un intercesseur auprès de Dieu » : Le Général ordonne qu’il soit transpercé par une baïonnette. Anacleto meurt en criant : « Je meurs mais Dieu ne meurt pas !» « Vive le Christ Roi !» Le même jour (1er avril) périssent les deux frères Vargas et Luis Padillas, béatifiés avec lui.

Pour le contexte historique, voir la fiche du groupe  9 martyrs du Mexique (1927-1928)  2

APOSTOLIC LETTER

BY WHICH THE SUPREME PONTIFF 

BENEDICT XVI

HAS RAISED TO THE GLORY OF THE ALTARS 

THE SERVANTS OF GOD


Accepting the wishes of our Brothers, Cardinal Juan Sandoval Iñiguez, Archbishop of Guadalajara, Bishop José Guadalupe Martín Rábago of León, and Bishop Luis Gabriel Cuara Méndez of Vera Cruz, of many other Brothers in the Episcopate and numerous members of the faithful, after hearing the opinion of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, we grant, with our Apostolic Authority, that the Venerable Servants of God, Anacleto González Flores and eight Companions, José Trinidad Rangel Montaño, Andrés Solá y Molist, Leonardo Pérez Larios and Ángel Darío Acosta Zurita, henceforth be called Blessed, and that their Memorial be celebrated in the places foreseen and in accordance with the rules established by law, every year on 20 November.


In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Given at St Peter's in Rome, 15 November in the year of the Lord 2005, the first of our Pontificate.

BENEDICT XVI

© Copyright 2005 - Libreria Editrice Vaticana


José Anacleto González Flores and eight Companions

Anacleto González Flores was born on 13 July 1888 in Tepatitlán, Jalisco, Mexico. He was greatly involved in social and religious activities and was an enthusiastic member of the Catholic Association of Young Mexicans (ACJM). He taught classes in catechism, was dedicated to works of charity and wrote articles and books with a Christian spirit.

In 1922 he married María Concepción Guerrero and they had two children.

By 1926, the situation in Mexico had worsened and Anacleto, who up until this time had advocated passive, non-violent resistance, joined the cause of the National League for the Defence of Religious Freedom upon learning of the murder of four members of the ACJM.

In January 1927 guerrilla warfare spread throughout Jalisco and from his many hiding places Anacleto wrote and sent bulletins and studied major strategies.

The young man was captured on the morning of 1 April 1927 in the home of the Vargas González family, along with the two Vargas brothers. He was taken to the Colorado jail, where his torture included being hung by his thumbs until his fingers were dislocated and having the bottom of his feet slashed. He refused, however, to supply his captors with any information.

José Anacleto González Flores was condemned to death and was shot together with the Vargas González brothers and Luis Padilla Gómez on that same day, 1 April 1927.

José Dionisio Luis Padilla Gómez was born on 9 December 1899 in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. He was an active member of the ACJM and worked closely with Anacleto in the activities of the League, helping in a special way poor children and youth. The young man, known to all as Luis, spent much time praying before the Blessed Sacrament and had a deep devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

On the morning of 1 April 1927, Luis was arrested in his home, together with his mother and one of his sisters. He was repeatedly beaten and insulted, then sentenced to execution.

After arriving at the Colorado jail, Luis met Anacleto and the others. He told Anacleto that he wanted to go to confession. But Anacleto told the young man, "No, brother, now is not the hour to confess, but to request pardon and to pardon our enemies. God is a Father and not a judge, the One who gives you hope. Your own blood will purify you".

Luis knelt down in prayer as the executioners' bullets riddled his prostrate body.

Jorge and Ramón Vargas González were born in Ahualulco de Mercado, Jalisco, Mexico. Jorge Ramón was born on 28 September 1899 and Ramón Vicente was born on 22 January 1905. 

Jorge worked for a hydroelectric company and Ramón pursued the study of medicine. They were both active members of the ACJM.


After a long day of work, Jorge would dress in overalls and ride his bicycle, accompanying Fr Lino Aguirre on the rounds of his hidden sacramental ministry to help ensure his safety.

Ramón was always concerned for the health of the poor and helped them without seeking anything in return. He was known for his joyful spirit and his strong Catholic identity.

During the persecution, the Vargas González family gave refuge to a number of priests and seminarians. Anacleto González Flores was staying with them in March of 1927.

On the morning of 1 April 1927 the secret police completely surrounded the family home, shouting: "Open the door in the name of the law!". They stormed in and arrested everyone, including the two brothers, their mother and a younger brother, Florentino.

The Vargas González family was accused of having hidden a "wanted" priest in their home and were taken to the Colorado jail.

As they were being led down the street, Ramón was able to escape unnoticed; but a little while later he turned back and rejoined the rest. When asked why he had not fled, Ramón replied: "I told myself, my mother and my brothers are prisoners; am I to run away?".

In jail, Florentino was separated from his two brothers, who were put in a cell next to Luis Padilla Gómez and Anacleto González Flores. They knew they were going to be executed. But before being killed they were interrogated and tortured, remaining silent throughout.

Taken out to be shot, the four recited the Act of Contrition. Before the bullets were fired, Ramón made the sign of the cross and Jorge held a crucifix against his chest.

When the father of the two boys learned how his sons were killed, he said: "Now I know, it is not condolences that I need, but congratulations; I have the fortune to have two sons who are martyrs".

José Luciano Ezequiel Huerta Gutiérrez was born on 6 January 1876 in Magdalena, Jalisco, Mexico. He was an organist with a great gift for music and had a beautiful tenor voice that could have given him a career as an opera singer; but he said that his voice was dedicated to the service of God.


Ezequiel married in 1904 and had 10 children. He was very devoted to the Blessed Sacrament and even with such a large family, always found the resources to give to the needy.

On the morning of 2 April 1927 he was arrested; he had just paid his respects to the lifeless body of Anacleto González Flores. He was questioned about the whereabouts of his two priest brothers, about his two oldest sons and the Cristeros.

Ezequiel refused to talk, so he was tortured until he was unconscious. When he regained consciousness, he expressed his pain by signing with all his might: "My Christ lives, my King lives". For this, he received more beatings until he could not utter a single sound.

The following morning, he was led at dawn with his brother Salvador Huerta Gutiérrez to the cemetery of Mezquitán, where they were both killed.

Ezequiel's wife heard the shots from her home and although she did not know that her husband was one of the victims, she gathered her children around her and said: "My children, let us recite the Rosary for these poor people who have just been shot".

Salvador Huerta Gutiérrez was born on 18 March 1880 in Magdalena, Jalisco, Mexico. He worked as a mechanic, and in 1907 he married and had 12 children.

Daily Mass was a priority for him; he was likewise very dedicated to prayer and to his family, and famous in Guadalajara for his expertise as a mechanic.

On 2 April 1927, following the assassination of Alacleto, Salvador went to pay his respects to this beloved "leader". When he returned to his garage, police officers were waiting for him.

They ordered him to come to police headquarters, allegedly to fix the chief's car; he was thus led away and cruelly tortured, even hung by his thumbs. When interrogated about the Cristeros and the whereabouts of Eduardo and José, his two priests-brothers, he said nothing.

Salvador was thrown into jail with his brother Ezequiel, and the next day they were led to their execution. When they arrived at the cemetery, Salvador asked for a lighted candle and held it in front of his chest. He cried out: "Long live Christ the King and Our Lady of Guadalupe! Shoot me so that I will die for God, because I love him".

Miguel Gómez Loza was born on 11 August 1888 in Tepatitlán, Jalisco, Mexico. From a young age he had a strong love for God and a great devotion to the Blessed Mother.

When he was 26 Miguel entered the University of Morelos where he earned a law degree, and eventually opened an office in Arandas as an attorney.

In 1915 he became a member of the ACJM, and in 1919 he established a national congress of Catholic workers to unify industry workers, commercial employees and agricultural labourers. He also worked tirelessly to defend the rights of the needy, which caused him to be arrested 59 times for organizing protests against the Government.

In 1922 Miguel married María Guadalupe Sánchez Barragán and they had three children.

Miguel joined the "National League for the Defence of Religious Freedom" in 1927, but believed in non-violence in order to resist the persecution. After the death of Anacleto, he was appointed by Catholics as Governor of Jalisco and strove by all the means at his disposal to defend liberty and justice.

By March of 1928, Miguel was living on a ranch near Atotonilco. On 21 March, federal forces who had been hunting for him discovered his whereabouts; he was executed by firing squad the same day.
Luis Magaña Servín was born on 24 August 1902 in Arandas, Jalisco, Mexico. Growing up, he helped his father work in a tannery.

As a young man, Luis became a member of the ACJM. He deeply loved the Church and was interested in social questions, leading him to study Leo XIII's watershed Encyclical Rerum Novarum. He also joined the "Our Lady of Guadalupe Association", a group that united worker artisans.

Luis always treated poor and rich the same, practicing the advice of Bishop Mora y del Rio of Mexico City, to "treat your workers with love and they will never leave you".

In 1926 he married Elvira Camarena Méndez and they had two children, the second born after the death of Luis.

By January 1927 Arandas had become one of the strongholds of the government resistance. Priests went into hiding, exercising a secret ministry and travelling in disguise. Luis remained a pacifist and did not take part in the Cristeros activity; rather, he helped spiritually and materially as did most Catholics in the area.

On 9 February 1928, a group of soldiers arrested Catholics that supported active resistance against the Government. Luis was not at home when officers arrived at his door, so they arrested his younger brother instead.

When Luis learned that his brother had been taken away, he reported to the general and asked that he take the place of his brother.

"I have never been a Cristero rebel", he said, "but if you accuse me of being a Christian, then yes, that I am. Soldiers who are going to shoot me, I want to tell you that from this moment I pardon you, and I promise that on arriving in the presence of God you are the first ones for whom I will intercede. Long live Christ the King and Our Lady of Guadalupe!".

Luis Magaña Servín was shot at 3 p.m. on 9 February 1928.

José Sánchez del Río was born on 28 March 1913 in Sahuayo, Michoacán, Mexico. Wanting to defend the faith and rights of Catholics, he followed in the footsteps of his two older brothers and asked his mother for permission to join the Cristeros. She objected, telling him that he was too young. "Mama", he replied, "do not let me lose the opportunity to gain Heaven so easily and so soon".

On 5 February 1928 the young boy was captured during a battle and imprisoned in the church sacristy. In order to terrorize him, soldiers made him watch the hanging of one of the other captured Cristeros. But José encouraged the man, saying, "You will be in Heaven before me. Prepare a place for me. Tell Christ the King I shall be with him soon".

In prison, he prayed the Rosary and sang songs of faith. He wrote a beautiful letter to his mother telling her that he was resigned to do God's will. José's father attempted to ransom his son, but was unable to raise the money in time.

On 10 February 1928 the teenager was brutally tortured and the skin of the soles of his feet was sheered off; he was then forced to walk on salt, followed by walking through the town to the cemetery. The young boy screamed with pain but would not give in.

At times the soldiers stopped him and said, "If you shout, "Death to Christ the King', we will spare your life". But he answered: "Long live Christ the King! Long live Our Lady of Guadalupe!".

Once he arrived at the cemetery, José was asked once more if he would deny his faith. The 14 year old shouted out: "Long live Christ the King!", and was summarily shot.

Fr Ángel Darío Acosta Zurita was born on 13 December 1908 in Naolinco, Mexico. He was known for his athleticism and his gentle and charitable nature.

Ángel Darío was ordained a priest on 25 April 1931 and celebrated his First Mass in the city of Vera Cruz on 24 May. On 26 May he began to serve as coadjutor vicar in the Parish of the Assumption in Vera Cruz. He was very interested in children's catechesis and was dedicated to celebrating the Sacrament of Penance.

In the State of Vera Cruz a decree was promulgated known as the "Tejeda Law", which reduced the number of priests allowed in the State to end the "fanaticism of the people", as Governor Adalberto Tejeda called it. A letter was sent to all priests telling them to obey this law. Fr Darío received his letter on 21 July, remaining calm and joyful as always.

On 25 July 1931 the law took force; that same day, in the Parish of the Assumption, everything transpired as usual: children arrived for catechism lessons and people waited to go to confession. 

At 6: 10 p.m., soldiers entered the church and opened fire on the priests. In the confusion and chaos, Fr Landa was gravely wounded while another priest, Fr Rosas, was miraculously saved, protected by the pulpit.


Fr Darío had just come out of the baptistry when he was hit by the bullets, having only the time to cry out "Jesus!". He was martyred exactly three months after his priestly ordination.



José Anacleto González Flores and eight Companions

Anacleto González Flores was born on 13 July 1888 in Tepatitlán, Jalisco, Mexico. He was greatly involved in social and religious activities and was an enthusiastic member of the Catholic Association of Young Mexicans (ACJM). He taught classes in catechism, was dedicated to works of charity and wrote articles and books with a Christian spirit.

In 1922 he married María Concepción Guerrero and they had two children.

By 1926, the situation in Mexico had worsened and Anacleto, who up until this time had advocated passive, non-violent resistance, joined the cause of the National League for the Defence of Religious Freedom upon learning of the murder of four members of the ACJM.

In January 1927 guerrilla warfare spread throughout Jalisco and from his many hiding places Anacleto wrote and sent bulletins and studied major strategies.

The young man was captured on the morning of 1 April 1927 in the home of the Vargas González family, along with the two Vargas brothers. He was taken to the Colorado jail, where his torture included being hung by his thumbs until his fingers were dislocated and having the bottom of his feet slashed. He refused, however, to supply his captors with any information.

José Anacleto González Flores was condemned to death and was shot together with the Vargas González brothers and Luis Padilla Gómez on that same day, 1 April 1927.

José Dionisio Luis Padilla Gómez was born on 9 December 1899 in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. He was an active member of the ACJM and worked closely with Anacleto in the activities of the League, helping in a special way poor children and youth. The young man, known to all as Luis, spent much time praying before the Blessed Sacrament and had a deep devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

On the morning of 1 April 1927, Luis was arrested in his home, together with his mother and one of his sisters. He was repeatedly beaten and insulted, then sentenced to execution.

After arriving at the Colorado jail, Luis met Anacleto and the others. He told Anacleto that he wanted to go to confession. But Anacleto told the young man, "No, brother, now is not the hour to confess, but to request pardon and to pardon our enemies. God is a Father and not a judge, the One who gives you hope. Your own blood will purify you".

Luis knelt down in prayer as the executioners' bullets riddled his prostrate body.

Jorge and Ramón Vargas González were born in Ahualulco de Mercado, Jalisco, Mexico. Jorge Ramón was born on 28 September 1899 and Ramón Vicente was born on 22 January 1905. 

Jorge worked for a hydroelectric company and Ramón pursued the study of medicine. They were both active members of the ACJM.


After a long day of work, Jorge would dress in overalls and ride his bicycle, accompanying Fr Lino Aguirre on the rounds of his hidden sacramental ministry to help ensure his safety.

Ramón was always concerned for the health of the poor and helped them without seeking anything in return. He was known for his joyful spirit and his strong Catholic identity.

During the persecution, the Vargas González family gave refuge to a number of priests and seminarians. Anacleto González Flores was staying with them in March of 1927.

On the morning of 1 April 1927 the secret police completely surrounded the family home, shouting: "Open the door in the name of the law!". They stormed in and arrested everyone, including the two brothers, their mother and a younger brother, Florentino.

The Vargas González family was accused of having hidden a "wanted" priest in their home and were taken to the Colorado jail.

As they were being led down the street, Ramón was able to escape unnoticed; but a little while later he turned back and rejoined the rest. When asked why he had not fled, Ramón replied: "I told myself, my mother and my brothers are prisoners; am I to run away?".

In jail, Florentino was separated from his two brothers, who were put in a cell next to Luis Padilla Gómez and Anacleto González Flores. They knew they were going to be executed. But before being killed they were interrogated and tortured, remaining silent throughout.

Taken out to be shot, the four recited the Act of Contrition. Before the bullets were fired, Ramón made the sign of the cross and Jorge held a crucifix against his chest.

When the father of the two boys learned how his sons were killed, he said: "Now I know, it is not condolences that I need, but congratulations; I have the fortune to have two sons who are martyrs".

José Luciano Ezequiel Huerta Gutiérrez was born on 6 January 1876 in Magdalena, Jalisco, Mexico. He was an organist with a great gift for music and had a beautiful tenor voice that could have given him a career as an opera singer; but he said that his voice was dedicated to the service of God.


Ezequiel married in 1904 and had 10 children. He was very devoted to the Blessed Sacrament and even with such a large family, always found the resources to give to the needy.

On the morning of 2 April 1927 he was arrested; he had just paid his respects to the lifeless body of Anacleto González Flores. He was questioned about the whereabouts of his two priest brothers, about his two oldest sons and the Cristeros.

Ezequiel refused to talk, so he was tortured until he was unconscious. When he regained consciousness, he expressed his pain by signing with all his might: "My Christ lives, my King lives". For this, he received more beatings until he could not utter a single sound.

The following morning, he was led at dawn with his brother Salvador Huerta Gutiérrez to the cemetery of Mezquitán, where they were both killed.

Ezequiel's wife heard the shots from her home and although she did not know that her husband was one of the victims, she gathered her children around her and said: "My children, let us recite the Rosary for these poor people who have just been shot".

Salvador Huerta Gutiérrez was born on 18 March 1880 in Magdalena, Jalisco, Mexico. He worked as a mechanic, and in 1907 he married and had 12 children.

Daily Mass was a priority for him; he was likewise very dedicated to prayer and to his family, and famous in Guadalajara for his expertise as a mechanic.

On 2 April 1927, following the assassination of Alacleto, Salvador went to pay his respects to this beloved "leader". When he returned to his garage, police officers were waiting for him.

They ordered him to come to police headquarters, allegedly to fix the chief's car; he was thus led away and cruelly tortured, even hung by his thumbs. When interrogated about the Cristeros and the whereabouts of Eduardo and José, his two priests-brothers, he said nothing.

Salvador was thrown into jail with his brother Ezequiel, and the next day they were led to their execution. When they arrived at the cemetery, Salvador asked for a lighted candle and held it in front of his chest. He cried out: "Long live Christ the King and Our Lady of Guadalupe! Shoot me so that I will die for God, because I love him".

Miguel Gómez Loza was born on 11 August 1888 in Tepatitlán, Jalisco, Mexico. From a young age he had a strong love for God and a great devotion to the Blessed Mother.

When he was 26 Miguel entered the University of Morelos where he earned a law degree, and eventually opened an office in Arandas as an attorney.

In 1915 he became a member of the ACJM, and in 1919 he established a national congress of Catholic workers to unify industry workers, commercial employees and agricultural labourers. He also worked tirelessly to defend the rights of the needy, which caused him to be arrested 59 times for organizing protests against the Government.

In 1922 Miguel married María Guadalupe Sánchez Barragán and they had three children.

Miguel joined the "National League for the Defence of Religious Freedom" in 1927, but believed in non-violence in order to resist the persecution. After the death of Anacleto, he was appointed by Catholics as Governor of Jalisco and strove by all the means at his disposal to defend liberty and justice.

By March of 1928, Miguel was living on a ranch near Atotonilco. On 21 March, federal forces who had been hunting for him discovered his whereabouts; he was executed by firing squad the same day.

Luis Magaña Servín was born on 24 August 1902 in Arandas, Jalisco, Mexico. Growing up, he helped his father work in a tannery.

As a young man, Luis became a member of the ACJM. He deeply loved the Church and was interested in social questions, leading him to study Leo XIII's watershed Encyclical Rerum Novarum. He also joined the "Our Lady of Guadalupe Association", a group that united worker artisans.

Luis always treated poor and rich the same, practicing the advice of Bishop Mora y del Rio of Mexico City, to "treat your workers with love and they will never leave you".

In 1926 he married Elvira Camarena Méndez and they had two children, the second born after the death of Luis.

By January 1927 Arandas had become one of the strongholds of the government resistance. Priests went into hiding, exercising a secret ministry and travelling in disguise. Luis remained a pacifist and did not take part in the Cristeros activity; rather, he helped spiritually and materially as did most Catholics in the area.

On 9 February 1928, a group of soldiers arrested Catholics that supported active resistance against the Government. Luis was not at home when officers arrived at his door, so they arrested his younger brother instead.

When Luis learned that his brother had been taken away, he reported to the general and asked that he take the place of his brother.

"I have never been a Cristero rebel", he said, "but if you accuse me of being a Christian, then yes, that I am. Soldiers who are going to shoot me, I want to tell you that from this moment I pardon you, and I promise that on arriving in the presence of God you are the first ones for whom I will intercede. Long live Christ the King and Our Lady of Guadalupe!".

Luis Magaña Servín was shot at 3 p.m. on 9 February 1928.

José Sánchez del Río was born on 28 March 1913 in Sahuayo, Michoacán, Mexico. Wanting to defend the faith and rights of Catholics, he followed in the footsteps of his two older brothers and asked his mother for permission to join the Cristeros. She objected, telling him that he was too young. "Mama", he replied, "do not let me lose the opportunity to gain Heaven so easily and so soon".

On 5 February 1928 the young boy was captured during a battle and imprisoned in the church sacristy. In order to terrorize him, soldiers made him watch the hanging of one of the other captured Cristeros. But José encouraged the man, saying, "You will be in Heaven before me. Prepare a place for me. Tell Christ the King I shall be with him soon".

In prison, he prayed the Rosary and sang songs of faith. He wrote a beautiful letter to his mother telling her that he was resigned to do God's will. José's father attempted to ransom his son, but was unable to raise the money in time.

On 10 February 1928 the teenager was brutally tortured and the skin of the soles of his feet was sheered off; he was then forced to walk on salt, followed by walking through the town to the cemetery. The young boy screamed with pain but would not give in.

At times the soldiers stopped him and said, "If you shout, "Death to Christ the King', we will spare your life". But he answered: "Long live Christ the King! Long live Our Lady of Guadalupe!".

Once he arrived at the cemetery, José was asked once more if he would deny his faith. The 14 year old shouted out: "Long live Christ the King!", and was summarily shot.

Fr Ángel Darío Acosta Zurita was born on 13 December 1908 in Naolinco, Mexico. He was known for his athleticism and his gentle and charitable nature.

Ángel Darío was ordained a priest on 25 April 1931 and celebrated his First Mass in the city of Vera Cruz on 24 May. On 26 May he began to serve as coadjutor vicar in the Parish of the Assumption in Vera Cruz. He was very interested in children's catechesis and was dedicated to celebrating the Sacrament of Penance.

In the State of Vera Cruz a decree was promulgated known as the "Tejeda Law", which reduced the number of priests allowed in the State to end the "fanaticism of the people", as Governor Adalberto Tejeda called it. A letter was sent to all priests telling them to obey this law. Fr Darío received his letter on 21 July, remaining calm and joyful as always.

On 25 July 1931 the law took force; that same day, in the Parish of the Assumption, everything transpired as usual: children arrived for catechism lessons and people waited to go to confession. 

At 6: 10 p.m., soldiers entered the church and opened fire on the priests. In the confusion and chaos, Fr Landa was gravely wounded while another priest, Fr Rosas, was miraculously saved, protected by the pulpit.


Fr Darío had just come out of the baptistry when he was hit by the bullets, having only the time to cry out "Jesus!". He was martyred exactly three months after his priestly ordination.

Blessed Anacleto González Flores

Also known as
  • Anaclete Gonzales Flores
Profile

Second of twelve children born to Valentín González Sanitiz and Maria Flores Navaho. He entered seminary, was an excellent student, but realized that he did not have a call to the priesthood and dropped out. Lawyer in the archdiocese of Guadalajara, Mexico. Married to María Concepción Guerrero, they had two children. He attended Mass daily, visited prisoners, and taught catechism. Leader in the Catholic Association of Mexican Youth (AJCM). Founded the magazine La Palabra to speak out against the antiCatholic actions of the government. Founded the Popular Union to organize peaceful opposition to the Calle government’s antiCatholic actions. When official oppression escalated to murder, Anacleto began writing and speaking out against the government, urging people to support and aid the rebels in what became known as the Cristero War. Looking for a way to crack down on the Catholic leadership, officials arrested Anacleto on a false charge of murdering an American, Edgar Wilkens. Gonzales was tortured, mutilated and finally executed. Martyr.

Born

Beati Anacleto Gonzalez Flores e 3 compagni Laici e martiri



† Guadalajara, Messico, 1 aprile 1927

Fondatore dell'Associazione cattolica della gioventù messicana (Acjm) di Guadalajara e dell'Unione Popolare, Anacleto González Flores, meglio noto come «il maestro Cleto», fu un leader laico messicano assai famoso tra il 1915 e il 1927: la predicazione a favore del pacifismo e della non violenza nel periodo della «Guerra Cristera» (1926-1929), gli guadagnò l'appellativo di «Gandhi messicano». Sposato e padre di due figli, era nato a Tepatitlán, Jalisco, il 13 luglio 1888. Dopo essere stato seminarista svolse i lavori più disparati, prima di laurearsi in Giurisprudenza nel 1921. Nel 1925 ricevette da Pio XI la Croce «Ecclesia et Pontifice» in riconoscimento alla sua opera in difesa della religiosità dei fedeli messicani. Anacleto tentò di evitare di legare l'Unione Popolare alla Lega nazionale per la difesa della libertà religiosa, che aveva dichiarato guerra al Governo di Calles, persecutore dei cristiani, già dal 1926. Dovette tuttavia accettare che la sua organizzazione passasse alla lotta armata, ma ciò gli costò l'arresto il 31 marzo 1927 e la morte il giorno successivo assieme a tra compagni. (Avvenire)

Nel contesto della persecuzione religiosa messicana, provocata dalla nuova costituzione promulgata nel 1917, parecchi cristiani subirono il martirio e tra essi rifulge questo gruppo comprendente otto fedeli laici dell’arcidiocesi di Guadalajara, tutti cristiani integerrimi attivamente impegnati nella difesa della libertà religiosa e della Chiesa, che furono uccisi per la loro fede cristiana tra il 1927 e il 1928. Il 1° aprile 1927 furono uccisi Anacleto Gonzalez Flores e tre giovani dell’Azione Cattolica. Il martirio di questi Servi di Dio fu riconosciuto il 22 giugno 2004 da Giovanni Paolo II e furono poi beatificati il 20 novembre 2005, sotto il pontificato di Benedetto XVI.

Anacleto Gonzalez Flores Padre di famiglia, avvocato, il “Gandhi messicano”

Tepatitlán, Messico, 13 luglio 1888 - Guadalajara, Messico, 1° aprile 1927

Fondatore dell’Associazione Cattolica della Gioventù Messicana (ACJM) di Guadalajara, questo martire della persecuzione religiosa messicana fondò anche l’Unione Popolare, conosciuta come “U”, movimento operaio, femminile, contadino e popolare, dedito alla promozione della catechesi ed oppositore attivo del governo locale e di quello federale a causa delle misure repressive in materia di libertà religiosa. Anacleto González Flores, meglio noto come “il maestro Cleto”, fu un leader laico assai famoso tra il 1915 e il 1927, anno in cui fu ucciso dall’esercito federale, acerrimo persecutore dei cattolici messicani, agli ordini del Presidente della Repubblica Plutarco Elías Calles. La predicazione in favore del pacifismo e della non violenza nel periodo della “Guerra Cristera” (1926-1929), guadagnò ad Anacleto González Flores l’appellativo di “Gandhi messicano”.

Sposato e padre di due figli, era nato a Tepatitlán, Jalisco, il 13 luglio 1888, in condizioni assai umili, figlio di un tessitore che combatteva contro la dipendenza dall’acool. Fu seminarista e postulante presso i seminari di San Juan de los Lagos e Guadalajara. Svolse poi lavori più disparati, prima di laurearsi finalmente in Giurisprudenza nel 1921, a 33 anni. Nel 1925 “il maestro Cleto” ricevette dal pontefice Pio XI la Croce “Ecclesia et Pontifice” in riconoscimento alla sua opera di evangelizzazione a favore dei più bisognosi ed in difesa della religiosità dei fedeli messicani.

Anacleto González Flores tentò di evitare fino all’ultimo di legare l’Unione Popolare alla Lega Nazionale per la Difesa della Libertà Religiosa, che aveva dichiarato guerra al Governo di Calles già dal 1926. Trascinato dagli eventi, dovette tuttavia accettare che la sua organizzazione passasse alla lotta armata, ma ciò gli costò l’arresto il 31 marzo 1927 e la morte il giorno successivo, venerdì 1° aprile, all’età di 38 anni. I suoi aguzzini lo appesero per i pollici, dopodichè gli provocarono delle ferite con la punta della baionetta affinché rivelasse il nascondili dell’arcivescovo di Guadalajara e degli altri leader della rivoluzione “cristera”. Infine la baionetta gli penetrò il cuore e spirò. I suoi compagni di lotta e di martirio vennero fucilati nel cortile della medesima prigione.

I resti mortali del Beato Anacleto riposano nel Santuario di Guadalupe di Guadalajara, ove accorrono parecchi fedeli spinti da venerazione nei confronti di questo martire della fede cattolica in Messico.

José Dionisio Luis Padilla Gómez Giovane dell’Azione Cattolica, asceta e mistico

Guadalajara, Messico, 9 dicembre 1899 - 1° aprile 1927

José Dionisio Luis Padilla Gómez nacque a Guadalajara il 9 dicembre 1899. Ricevette un’accurata educazione dalla sua famiglia distinta e cristiana. Nel 1917 entrò nel seminario conciliare di Guadalajara, ma nel 1921 lo abbandonò avendo alcuni dubbi circa la sua vocazione. Abbandonò inoltre anche l’attività di insegnante, per dedicarsi ad impartire lezioni gratuite ai bambini e giovani più poveri. Socio fondatore e membro attivo dell’Associazione Cattolica della Gioventù Messicana (ACJM), vi svolse un’intensa opera di apostolato, in particolare nel campo della promozione sociale. Era solito praticare apertamente la sua pietà: in casa, nelle strade ed in chiesa. Fu fervente devoto della Vergine Maria.

Quando scoppiò la persecuzione religiosa nel suo paese, si affiliò all’Unione Popolare per partecipare con mezzi pacifici alla difesa della religione cattolica. Più volte espresse il desiderio di seguire Gesù sino al dolore, alla sofferenza ed al dono totale della propria vita. Il 1° aprile 1927, alle due di mattina, la sua casa accerchiata da un gruppo di soldati dell’esercito federale, che la saccheggiarono e poi arrestarono Luis insieme all’anziana madre ed una sorella.

Luis fu, condotto alla caserma Colorado, lungo il tragitto dovette sopportare colpi, insulti e vessazioni. Poco dopo furono arrestati e condotti alla stessa caserma anche Anacleto González Flores ed i fratelli Jorge, Ramón e Florentino Vargas González. Capendo che era ormai imminente la sua fine, Luis espresse il desiderio di confessarsi. Il suo compagno di apostolato e di prigione, Anacleto González Flores, lo confortò affermando: “No, fratello, non è più l’ora di confessarsi, ma di chiedere perdono e di perdonare. È un Padre e non un giudice che ti attende. Il tuo stesso sangue ti purificherà”. I quattro coraggiosi compagni di prigionia recitarono dunque l’Atto di Dolore. Mentre Luis, inginocchiato, offriva a Dio la sua vita in fervente preghiera, i carnefici lo uccisero con le armi. Il giovane aveva solo ventisei anni.

Jorge Ramon Vargas González Giovane dell’Azione Cattolica

Ahualulco de Mercato, Messico, 28 settembre 1899 - Guadalajara, Messico, 1° aprile 1927

Jorge Ramon Vargas González nacque ad Ahualulco il 28 settembre 1899, figlio di un onorato medico e di una donna coraggiosa, integra e compassionevole, quasi paragonabile alla celebre madre dei fratelli Maccabei. Quando ancora era bambino, la famiglia si trasferì a Guadalajara. Qui Jorge condivise gli aneliti e le preoccupazioni di quanti soffrivano a causa della persecuzione religiosa in atto nel suo paese. Nel 1926, quando lavorava per la Compagnia Idroelettrica, la sua casa funse da rifugio per parecchi sacerdoti perseguitati. Alla fine di marzo del 1927 la famiglia Vargas Gonzáles accolse in casa Anacleto González Flores, sapendo benissimo quanto potesse costare loro questo gesto. Anacleto divise la camera proprio con Jorge.

Improvvisamente, il 1° aprile 1927, tutti tutti gli abitanti della casa fra vessazioni e soprassalti furono arrestati e trasferiti alla caserma Colorado. I fratelli Florentino, Jorge e Ramón Vargas González furono rinchiusi nella stessa cella, colpevoli appunto di aver dato ospitalità ad un cattolico perseguitato. Alcune ore dopo furono rinchiusi nella cella accanto alla loro Luis Padilla Gómez ed Anacleto González Flores. Jorge, attraverso le sbarre, fece capire a Luis Padilla che sarebbero stati fucilati entro breve. Si lamentò quindi per non poter ricevere la comunione quel venerdì, ma suo fratello Ramón replicò: “Non temere, se moriremo, il nostro sangue laverà le nostre colpe”. L’integrità d’animo dei fratelli non venne mai meno. Un ordine dell’ultimo momento fece separare Florentino dagli altri.

La morte di Jorge fu senza dubbio preceduta da torture, giacchè il suo corpo inerme presentava una spalla slogata e contusioni e lividi sul volto. La cosa sicuramente certa è che, giunta l’ora, tenendo un crocifisso sul petto, ricevette la scarica congiunta del 201° battaglione che eseguì senza pietà la sentenza. Durante le esequie, la madre delle vittime, stringendo fra le sue braccia Florentino, il figlio superstite, esclamò: “Figlio mio! Quanto è stata vicina a te la corona del martirio! Devi essere più buono per meritarla”. Il padre, venuto a conoscenza di come erano morti gli altri suoi due figli, constatò: “Ora so che non sono le condoglianze che mi devono dare, ma felicitazioni perché ho la fortuna di avere due figli martiri”.

Ramón Vicente Vargas González Giovane dell’Azione Cattolica

Ahualulco de Mercato, Messico, 22 gennaio 1905 - Guadalajara, Messico, 1° aprile 1927

Ramón Vicente Vargas González nacque ad Ahualulco il 22 gennaio 1905, settimo di undici fratelli. Tre caratteristiche lo distinsero dagli altri: il colore rosso dei capelli, che gli valse il soprannome di “Colorado”, l’elevata statura e la giovialità. Stabilitosi con la famiglia a Guadalajara, Ramón decise di seguire le orme paterne entrando nella facoltà di Medicina, ove si distinse per il suo buon umore, il suo cameratismo e la sua chiara identità cattolica. Non appena possibile, si occupò gratuitamente della salute dei poveri. A ventidue anni, ormai prossimo a concludere gli studi universitari, accolse in casa Anacleto González Flores, che subito notò le doti di Ramón e gli propose di lavorare negli accampamenti della resistenza come infermiere. Il giovane gli rispose: “Per lei faccio qualsiasi cosa, Maestro, ma darmi alla macchia no”.

La mattina del 1° aprile 1927 un gruppo di poliziotti prese possesso della casa dei Vargas González, la perquisirono ed arrestarono quanti vi abitavano. Ramón mantenne la calma nonostante la sua indignazione. Approfittando del tumulto, riuscì a fuggire in strada senza che i suoi sequestratari se ne accorgessero, ma poco dopo tornò sui suoi passi e si consegnò loro volontariamente.

I tre fratelli furono destinati alla morte, ma per mitigare la sentenza il generale di divisione Jesús María Ferreira propose di liberare il minore. L’indulto riguardava quindi Ramón che però, senza ammettere repliche, cedette il posto a Florentino. Prima della fucilazione, Ramón fece il segno della croce.


Autore: Fabio Arduino