Reflections on Los Cristeros
Call Me Jorge has posted a video on his website of Los Cristeros.
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Dear CMJ,
Thank you for posting this video documentary of los Cristeros.
I've heard of los Cristeros and know about blessed Father Miguel Pro, but this documentary gave me a different understanding by providing the direct testimony of some of the actual men who took up arms to defend Christianity in Mexico under the title of Los Cristeros and with the protection of Cristo Rey and La Virgen de Guadalupe.
I say "men" but these were boys of 16 or 17 years of age at the time. It is always the young men that go to fight and die in the wars that the old men start.
The testimony of these now old men reflecting upon a time in their youth when they answered the call to defend their Christian faith shows a simple understanding of what they were fighting for.
They do not present elaborate theological or political arguments -- they fought for Cristo Rey and La Virgen de Guadalupe under the protection of the same. They all agree.
They don't claim to be heroes and they attest that the bravery they displayed in battle was a gift from God -- not some innate personal quality.
They speak of their friends and companions who did not survive the battles. Some were captured as prisoners and executed -- their bodies mutilated. Some were tortured prior to their execution.
They speak of their dead companions so matter of factly that one has no doubt that they were ready and willing to accept the same fate -- although they never boast of this. In this way they display their true Christian humility -- without ever mentioning it or attempting to bring it to our attention. And yet we cannot help but notice it and be impressed and moved.
They are the survivors -- and not just survivors but victors. And also the ones that God chose to live to tell the story... to bear witness.
They speak of those days as glorious days although they never use that word. They speak instead of being blessed.
They speak of insurmountable odds that were overcome. They speak of bullets that rained down like hail and yet miraculously they are still alive today.
They do not use the word miracle, but certainly they convey that sense. They attribute their victories to Cristo Rey and la Virgen de Guadalupe. They take none of the credit.
They do not speak boastfully, but matter of factly of miracles, sacrifices and glory on the battlefield.
They do not have "survivors guilt". They are rightly proud of being able to play their part -- the part that God desired of them. They are equally proud of those that sacrificed their lives.
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May God grant us the virtues to be worthy to be His humble servants. Amen.
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Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Amen.
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