Saints and Holy People

Find out about their lives and how they changed the world

Saint Cristóbal Magallanes Jara (1869–1927)

Saint Cristóbal Magallanes Jara (1869–1927)

Feast day: May 21




Saint Cristóbal Magallanes Jara lived at a time when there was a very anti-Catholic government in Mexico. The government had forced churches, schools, and seminaries to close. They also banished the foreign clergy. Cristóbal established a secret seminary in Jalisco.

He was a member of the Cristero movement, pledging his loyalty to Christ and the Church, and spreading Jesus’ message throughout Mexico. This was a dangerous action, because the government had made it illegal to be baptized or celebrate Mass. One day, on his way to secretly say Mass, Saint Cristóbal Magallanes Jara was martyred after the government falsely accused him of provoking a rebellion.

(Image in public domain-70)