December 12 2022 - Our Lady of Guadalupe - Crushing the head of the serpent

 On December 9, 1531 Our Lady appeared to the simple peasant, Juan Diego, and sent him to tell the bishop that heaven desired a church to be built on the hill of Tepeyac. 

Like Moses at the burning bush, Juan Diego asked our Lady, and who shall I say you are who are sending me? 

And she responded in his native language of Nahuatl. She called herself "Tlecuatlecupe," (Ta-LAY-Cau-tul-CUP-pe) which means "the one who crushes the head of the serpent"

Remember, that at that time in Mexico the Catholic Church was very small. The first missionaries to Mexico only arrived in 1519. The bishop to whom Juan Diego was sent, was the first bishop of Mexico. The native religion was still very much in full force. In 1487, when Juan Diego was just 13 years old, he would have witnessed a most horrific event: the Aztec ruler at the time, dedicated a new temple pyramid to the chief gods of the Aztec pantheon, which involved the human sacrifice of over 80,000 men over a period of four days and four nights. 

Human life was not valued. Pagan Gods, such as the winged-serpent God—Quetzalcoatl—were worshipped through unimaginably bloody human sacrifice. And so, for our Lady to introduce herself as “the one who crushes the head of the serpent” had a number of meanings. Firstly, it was a reference to Scripture—for Genesis foretells how the seed of the woman will crush the head of the serpent. Revelation, too, depicts the woman with child pitted against the ancient serpent returned. But her introduction was also prophetic in that the religion of human sacrifice which worshipped the serpent God would soon be crushed.

What was in 1531 an almost entirely pagan culture almost entirely converted to Christ.  According to a contemporary chronicler, nine million Aztecs became Catholic in a very short time.  And even though Catholicism flourished in Mexico for about 400 years, we know that the old serpent is always conspiring to regain his lost territory.

The last 100 years have seen terrible persecution of the Church: state sponsored persecution, the murder of holy priests, outlawing of monasteries, seizing of Church property, atheism, and also the neopagan worship of santa Muerte, a female deity of death. 

Wherever holy faith is abandoned, the powers of evil and death will soon return, but Our Lady is unfailing protection and strength to all who devoutly implore her assistance.

The Feast of Guadalupe is an important Advent feast, to remind us that we prepare during Advent to celebrate the birth of Christ the Savior, victor over the powers the ancient serpent—of sin and death. And so throughout Advent we do well to invoke Our Lady in our prayers for conversion--the conversion of our culture, especially for those who, because of their errors and false beliefs spread and participate in evil intentionally or unintentionally, and our own conversion—that the powers of evil and death may have absolutely no place in our hearts.

Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the Americas and the Right to Life Movement, pray for us, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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We bring our prayers to God through Mary.

That Our Lady may protect the Church from all evil, and aid us in the mission of the Gospel.

That all government leaders may be awakened to the supreme dignity of each human life, and that all people of our nation may work together for an end to the culture of death. 

For all mothers, that they may find in Mary the example and strength to carry out their vocation. 

For all refugees forced to flee from their homes, that God may bring peace to them and their country of origin.

That the sick may draw strength, consolation, and healing by turning to Our Lady, who intercedes for us from her place in heaven. 

For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.

We pray, O Lord our God, that the Virgin Mary, who merited to bear God and man in her chaste womb, may commend the prayers of your faithful in your sight. Through Christ our Lord.

Christ the King 2021 - Viva Cristo Rey

 “Viva Cristo Rey!” “Long live Christ the King!” These were the last words Fr. Miguel Augustin Pro uttered before he was executed by firing squad by the virulently anti-Catholic government of Mexico on November 23, 1927.

When Mexico achieved its independence from Spain in the 19th century, the government also sought to divorce itself from Catholicism. Mexico’s 1917 Constitution brought the seizing of church property, the outlaw religious orders, and the government’s insertion into internal Church affairs. The Constitution prohibited priests from voting or offering any comment on public policy. Priests were also banned from wearing their clerical attire or vestments outside churches. Public displays of faith like the Corpus Christi Procession or praying the rosary publicly were strictly forbidden. 

Some Catholics rebelled against the government persecution; the Cristeros movement fought against the anti-Catholic regime, which by the 20s was executing priests and even young people who practiced their faith. 

Pope Pius XI wrote three encyclicals denouncing the persecution in Mexico, calling upon faithful Catholics to defend the Church when possible. The persecution finally ended when a Catholic president, Manuel Avila Camacho, was elected in 1940. Yet, when Pope St. John Paul visited Mexico in 1979 it was still illegal for him to celebrate Mass in public.

The most famous martyr of this persecution is the Jesuit priest Blessed Miguel Augustin Pro. When Churches were closed by the government, Fr. Miguel would celebrate Mass in secret to provide the Eucharist for Mexico’s faithful. He became known throughout Mexico City as the undercover priest who would show up in the middle of the night, dressed as a beggar or a street sweeper, to baptize infants, hear confessions, distribute Communion, or perform marriages. Several times, disguised as a policeman, he slipped unnoticed into the police headquarters itself to bring the sacraments to Catholic prisoners before their executions.

Eventually, Fr. Pro was captured and arrested and sentenced to death. The President of Mexico ordered his execution to be photographed in great detail, hoping to incite fear amongst the Cristeros Catholics. You may have seen the photographs of Fr. Pro, dressed in a suit, facing the firing squad, with arms outstretched like Jesus on the Cross. The photographs, instead of inciting fear had the opposite effect, and Catholics began to show great devotion to the martyr—soon the government forbade the distribution of the very photos it had publicized!

When Pius XI instituted the Feast of Christ the King for the universal Church in 1925, Christians were facing grave difficulties: the Mexican persecution of course, the rise of National Socialism which would become Nazism in Germany, Atheistic Communism in Russia, and the rampant Materialism, Consumerism, and Racism of the roaring 20s here in the States. The Pope instituted this feast for one, to show “the deplorable consequences” produced when individuals and governments rebel against and reject the Gospel. Godless governments are always anti-life governments, they emphasize power over peace, the state over the individual, and they censor and persecute religion. And it can and is happening again in this country. 

Pope Pius XI also wanted to strengthen and encourage Catholics facing persecution, like the Cristeros Catholics in Mexico. This feast of Christ the King, gave Fr. Pro and so many others, the courage to continue to work for the spread of Christ’s reign, despite formidable hostilities. 

This feast is also a reminder to all Catholics: that amidst all the trials of life, our faith in Christ can and will sustain us in the most difficult moments of life, it can and will transform our fallen world, if we let it. And to those who allow Christ to reign in them and through them, our Good King will speak the words we long to hear: “'Come, you who are blessed by my Father.  Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”

On this last feast, this last week of the liturgical year, we consider what in the end really matters, not our status in any political party, not the esteem of our superiors or friends, but whether in the end we have allowed Christ to reign as king in our hearts and minds and wills.

In the Gospel, we hear of Pilate asking Christ, are you a king? Notice that Jesus does not answer Pilate’s question directly. Why? Because You have to answer this for yourself. On one level, Pilate washed his hands of this question because he was unwilling to face the political and professional ramifications for allowing Christ to be his king. The truth that Christ is King will set you free if you let it.

But on a deeper level, what kept Pilate from acknowledging Christ as king was his pride. Pride always keeps us from Christ as King because pride does not acknowledge a king outside of one’s self. Pride says, “I need be the one in charge, I need to lord power over others, I determine what truth is for myself” But this sort of pride is a rebellion and rejection of God-- the sort of rebellion and rejection of God that leads to broken friendships and families, even gulag’s and concentration camps. History shows this over and over again. Godlessness leads to violence towards one’s fellow man and self-destruction. 

But pride can be shattered, and it must be shattered, in order to belong to that the kingdom of truth and life, the kingdom of holiness and grace, the kingdom of justice, love and peace, the kingdom of Christ that we know we long to be apart of.

The upcoming month of December, and the season of Advent, we know is filled with many demands on our time. So during all of the busyness of the month ahead, we must remember our deepest duty is to Christ: not to contribute to the growing godlessness of our culture, but to bring about his Kingdom through faith, hope, and charity.

The changing of a liturgical season is always a good time to do some self-examination: to examine whether selfishness, pleasure, lust, control, pride, reign in our lives, or Christian generosity, self-control, humility, and prayer. And it is a good time to make a good confession of the times we let sin reign in us, rather than Christ. 

This week, I encourage you to plan ahead for Advent, which begins next sunday; plan additional daily prayer time, additional spiritual reading, additional acts of mercy and charity. Get to weekday Mass during Advent. So that you can hear and reflect upon the beautiful advent scriptures and lessons, and to pray and celebrate Eucharist for those souls who have lost focus of the reason for the season. 

Make a good sacramental confession prior to Christmas—acknowledge those times when pride has taken the place of the love of Christ the King.

“Viva Cristo Rey!” “Long live Christ the King!” in us. In our minds and hearts, our relationships with family, friends, strangers, neighbors and enemies. 

When we allow Christ to reign in us, he transforms us into instruments of his justice and his goodness. We become partners with Christ in reuniting divided humanity, in extending God’s mercy, truth, and love to all, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

May 21 2019 - St. Christopher Magallanes and Companions - The Serenity of the Martyrs

For 150 years, anti-Catholic laws in Mexico made it dangerous to publically practice the faith.  Churches, schools, and seminaries were closed, foreign clergy and missionaries were expelled.  The Mexican government intentionally worked to weaken the Catholic faith of the people  Today, we honor 25 martyrs who died between 1915 and 1937.  22 of them were diocesan priests, 3 were laymen.

Among them was Fr. Christopher Magallanes.  Born in 1869 near Guadalajara.  He worked in the fields before entering the seminary, and following his ordination he worked in his home town organizing catechetical centers and schools in the rural area, helping the poor develop , encouraging devotion to the rosary.

When the government closed the seminary in Guadalajara, Father Christopher established a clandestine one in his parish.  This was between 1924 and 1928 which was a particularly brutal period of religious oppression which sparked the formation of the Cristero movement, its members pledging their allegiance to Christ and the Church whatever the dangers.  During that period the government made it illegal to be Baptized and for priests to celebrate Mass.

For Father Christopher, the end came in 1927 when he arrested and faced the firing squad. His last words to his executioners were "I die innocent, and ask God that my blood may serve to unite my Mexican brethren."

One of the things that always impresses me about the martyrs is the peace, the holy serenity, they exhibit as they face their sufferings and deaths. Because of their love for Christ, their conviction for the Gospel, they are filled with true peace: peace, as the Lord says in the Gospel today, “not as the world gives”, a peace which comes from heaven. When speaking about his own death to the apostles, Jesus in the Gospel today says, “do not let your hearts be troubled.” When facing hardship for the sake of the kingdom, we must not let our hearts be troubled. We must not shy away from the choices which may bring us hardship for the sake of the Gospel.

Like so many martyrs throughout the centuries, Fr. Christopher and those we honor today believed that spreading the Gospel was the most important thing in life. In the face of trial may we know Christ’s peace, and may we be faithful to Him always, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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Our Savior’s faithfulness is mirrored in the fidelity of his witnesses who shed their blood for the Word of God. Let us praise Him in remembrance of them:

The martyrs professed their faith by shedding their blood, may we have a faith that is constant and pure.

The martyrs followed in Christ’s footsteps by carrying the cross, may we endure courageously our earthly trials and all the misfortunes of life.

The martyrs washed their garments in the blood of the Lamb, may we be helped by their prayers to avoid the weaknesses of the flesh and all worldly allurements.

That all Christian missionaries may have courage and strength in their witness to the Gospel, for an increase in priestly and religious vocations, and for increased willingness among Christians to answer the missionary call.

That anyone who suffers any type of affliction, illness, or suffering, may know the comfort of the mercy of Christ.

For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.

Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord

December 12 2018 - Our Lady of Guadalupe - Mother of the Author of Life

When Our Lady appeared to St. Juan Diego in 1531, Mexico was one of the most depraved cultures in human history.  The number of human sacrifices by the Aztec culture is virtually incalculable.

Our Lady came bearing the message of her Son and a message of life.  Mary to Juan Diego said: “My dearest son, I am the eternal Virgin Mary, Mother of the true God, Author of Life, Creator of all and Lord of the Heavens and of the Earth...and it is my desire that a church be built here in this place for me, where, as your most merciful Mother and that of all your people, I may show my loving clemency and the compassion that I bear to the Indians, and to those who love and seek me...”

A Church was built.  The Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico City is the most popular pilgrimage site in North America built near the site where Our Lady appeared to the poor farmer, Juan. It is second in the world only to St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

What was in 1531 an almost entirely pagan culture almost entirely converted to Christ.  According to a contemporary chronicler, nine million Aztecs became Catholic in a very short time.  It is only in recent decades that Catholicism in Mexico has begun to revert, as the culture of death, which is so prevalent in our culture, attempts to regain its lost territory.

At Tepeyac, Our Lady of Guadalupe showed herself to be a lover of humanity and a lover of life.  She is depicted with a ribbon around her waist, indicating that she is with child.  She is also depicted standing on a moon, the symbol of paganism. History shows that cultures which worshiped the moon are very depraved.  And so Mary, standing on the moon, as if crushing it, points to the victory of Jesus Christ, the God of Life, over the powers the false pagan gods of death.

The Feast of Guadalupe is an important Advent feast, to remind us that we prepare during Advent to celebrate the birth of Christ the Savior, victor over the powers of sins and death.

Saint John Paul II, his great Marian Document, Redemptoris Mater, writes:  For Mary, present in the Church as the Mother of the Redeemer, takes part, as a mother, in that monumental struggle; against the powers of darkness" which continues throughout human history.

And so throughout Advent we do well to invoke Our Lady in our prayers for the conversion of our culture, especially for those who, because of their errors and false beliefs spread and participate in evil intentionally or unintentionally.

Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the Americas and the Right to Life Movement, pray for us, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.


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We bring our prayers to God through Mary.

Please respond to the petitions: “Mother of the Redeemer, intercede for us”

That Our Lady may protect the Church from all evil, and aid us in the mission of the Gospel.

That all government leaders may be awakened to the supreme dignity of each human life, and that all people of our nation may work together for an end to the culture of death.

For all mothers, that they may find in Mary the example and strength to carry out their
vocation.

For all refugees forced to flee from their homes, that God bring peace to them and their country of origin.

That the sick may draw strength, consolation, and healing by turning to Our Lady, who
intercedes for us from her place in heaven.

For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.

We pray, O Lord our God, that the Virgin Mary, who merited to bear God and man in her chaste womb, may commend the prayers of your faithful in your sight. Through Christ our Lord.

Christ the King 2017 - Viva Cristo Rey!

“Viva Cristo Rey!” “Long live Christ the King!” These were the last words Fr. Miguel Augustin Pro uttered before he was executed by firing squad by the virulently anti-Catholic government of Mexico on November 23, 1927.

When Mexico achieved its independence from Spain in the 19th century, it also sought to divorce itself from Catholicism. Mexico’s 1917 Constitution brought the seizing of church property, the outlaw religious orders, and the government’s insertion into internal Church affairs. The Constitution prohibited priests from voting or offering any comment on public policy. Priests were also banned from wearing their clerical attire or vestments outside churches. Public displays of faith like the Corpus Christi Procession or praying the rosary publicly were strictly forbidden.

Some Catholics rebelled against the government persecution; the Cristeros movement fought against the anti-Catholic regime, which by the 20s was executing priests and even young people who practiced their faith.

Pope Pius XI wrote three encyclicals denouncing the persecution in Mexico, calling upon faithful Catholics to defend the Church when possible. The persecution finally ended when a Catholic president, Manuel Avila Camacho, was elected in 1940. Yet, when Pope St. John Paul visited Mexico in 1979 it was still illegal for him to celebrate Mass in public.

The most famous martyr of this persecution is the Jesuit priest Blessed Miguel Augustin Pro. When Churches were closed by the government, Fr. Miguel would celebrate Mass in secret to provide the Eucharist for Mexico’s faithful. He became known throughout Mexico City as the undercover priest who would show up in the middle of the night, dressed as a beggar or a street sweeper, to baptize infants, hear confessions, distribute Communion, or perform marriages. Several times, disguised as a policeman, he slipped unnoticed into the police headquarters itself to bring the sacraments to Catholic prisoners before their executions.

Eventually, Fr. Pro was captured and arrested and sentenced to death. The President of Mexico ordered his execution to be photographed in great detail, hoping to incite fear amongst the Cristeros Catholics. You may have seen the photographs of Fr. Pro, dressed in a suit, facing the firing squad, with arms outstretched like Jesus on the Cross. The photographs, instead of inciting fear had the opposite effect, and Catholics began to show great devotion to the martyr—soon the government forbade the distribution of the very photos it had publicized!

When Pius XI instituted the Feast of Christ the King for the universal Church in 1925, Christians were facing grave difficulties: the Mexican persecution of course, the rise of National Socialism which would become Nazism in Germany, Atheistic Communism in Russia, rampant Materialism, Consumerism, and Racism here in the States. The Pope instituted this feast for one, to show “the deplorable consequences” produced when individuals and governments rebel against and reject the Gospel.

Pope Pius XI also wanted to strengthen and encourage Catholics facing persecution, like the Cristeros Catholics in Mexico. This message, this feast, gave Fr. Pro and so many others, the courage to continue to work for the spread of Christ’s reign, despite formidable hostilities.

But this feast is also reminder to all Catholics: that amidst all the trials of life, when we submit our hearts and minds and wills and bodies to the reign of Christ the King, when we live in accordance with the laws of God’s kingdom, we are counted among Christ’s good and faithful servants. Our faith in Christ can and will sustain us in the most difficult moments of life, it can and will transform our fallen world, if we let it. And to those who allow Christ to reign in them and through them, our Good King will speak the words we long to hear: “'Come, you who are blessed by my Father.  Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”

In the Gospel of the Final Judgment, Our King teaches us that he will judge us, he will determine our eternal destination on how we treated others in this life, whether or not we allowed his mercy to reign in us by feeding the hungry, housing the homeless, tending the sick, and bringing the freedom of truth to those imprisoned by the errors of secular culture.

The month of December, and the season of Advent, we know is filled with many demands on our time. So during all of the busyness of the month ahead, we must remember our deepest duty is to Christ: not to contribute to the growing godlessness of our culture, but to bring about his Kingdom through faith, hope, and charity.

The changing of a liturgical season is always a good time to do some self-examination: to examine whether selfishness, pleasure, lust, control, pride, reign in our lives, or Christian generosity, self-control, humility, and prayer. And it is a good time to make a good confession of the times we let sin reign in us, rather than Christ.

This week, I encourage you to plan ahead for Advent, which begins next sunday; plan additional prayer time with your family, additional spiritual reading, additional acts of mercy and charity. Perhaps, try to get to daily Mass throughout the week, to allow the peace of Christ to reign in you.
When we allow Christ to reign in us, he transforms us into instruments of his justice and his goodness. We become partners with Christ in reuniting divided humanity, in extending God’s mercy, truth, and love to all, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.