MEXICO: Martyr’s Grave

Under the feathery streamers of a pirul tree in Mexico City’s civil cemetery, faithful throngs patiently waited their turn last week before a simple black metal vault. As soon as one pilgrim crossed himself and rose, another would kneel, to kiss the vault, pray, light a vigil lamp and perhaps scrawl a penciled supplication on the tomb’s concrete base. Inside lay the bones of a man shot by a firing squad more than 23 years ago. He was MigueJ Augustin Pro Juarez, priest, servant of the poor and martyr for his faith.

One of eleven children of a government mining agent in the state of Zacatecas, the young Miguel was a cheerful, handsome boy, with a deft touch on the guitar. As he grew older, he developed a deep respect and affection for the humble mine laborers who worked for his father, determined to make a career of service to them. He entered the Jesuit Order and concentrated on sociology and economics, spending most of the turbulent years between 1911 and 1926 studying in Spain, France and Belgium.

Under Cover. In 1926, Father Pro returned to a country racked by religious war. Rigid enforcement of the anti-religion provisions of Mexico’s 1917 constitution by President Plutarco Elias Calles had closed the churches and aroused armed resistance all over the country. Priests had to carry on their duties under cover; if caught they were imprisoned. Miguel Pro began his mission.

For 16 months, the priest, ailing from a stomach illness, drove himself to superhuman efforts. Sometimes in greasy overalls, sometimes in natty clothes, innocently leading a police dog, Padre Pro hurried about the capital to officiate at christenings, weddings and clandestine Masses. Some days he heard confessions for 12 or 13 hours; twice he was carried fainting from the confessional. Every centavo that went into his pocket came right out again to support the “auxiliary commissions” he organized to provide food, clothes and lodging for the poor.

Under Arrest. While the “Padre of the Proletariat” was carrying on the battle in his own fashion, his brother, Humberto

Pro, was fighting with more worldly weapons. One Sunday in November 1927, Presidential Candidate Alvaro Obregon, Calles’ chosen successor, was riding through Chapultepec Park whe/i a group of men in a black Essex drove up, threw a dynamite bomb at Obregon’s car and sped away. The bomb failed to hurt anybody.* Obregon’s bodyguards blasted away at the Essex, later found it abandoned with one mortally wounded man. With his dying breath he mumbled: “Tell the Pro brothers to hide—they are in danger.”

The police rounded up the Pros and one other man, and immediately announced that they had confessed taking part in the bomb plot. Ten days later, without any public trial, the accused were shot by a firing squad. Thousands of Catholics, afoot and in cars, jammed the streets to follow Padre Pro’s coffin to the cemetery.

Soon after, reports of miracles effected by the padre’s intervention began to circulate. The Jesuits later submitted his case to the Congregation of Rites in Rome for study and for his possible future beatification. By last week, nearly 500 people were visiting Padre Pro’s tomb each day. Some rolled up in chauffeur-driven cars. But most were Miguel Pro’s beloved poor, such as Juan Muro, who sighed: “I’ve been out of work for six months and have been coming every day to ask for a job. So far nothing has happened. But if Padre Pro has patience, so have I.”

* Obregon was shot and killed in July 1928, the day after his election.