One More Time::Miguel Pro

If you can't tell we were pretty excited here to be celebrating the Feast Day of Blessed Miguel Pro. We are still excited to be celebrating this merry priest, but it has been a day of good intentions and little else! 

After donning our "friend of Miguel" badges, we set off for mass. We attend a church that is a bit of a drive, so decided to go to a church near our house. This church does not have mass on Tuesday morning. :( Ackkk! Oh, well. Spirits intact I decided that a good feast day celebration deserves a fun meal, so we headed to McD's for a breakfast sandwich (a super special treat as we don't do that very often!)

From there we made the decision to drop by the place that we were told has a relic of Padre Miguel Pro's. We had tried to call ahead, but to no avail- we figured no harm in stopping by. The receptionist had no idea what were talking about and did not want to look in to the matter. We did see this lovely shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes (which was fitting as Padre Miguel Pro did visit Lourdes).

We arrived home to a message from a priest at the center where the relic is- yes, it is there. Arrangements can be made for us to shown in to the chapel where it is hanging with a picture of Blessed Miguel. We will go another day. :)

Finally, we made our lovely "Mexican" hot chocolate and had sort of a "Miguel Pro quiz" while we sipped our drinks. The boys said that the hot chocolate was Yummy!! :)



Feast Day Activities for Blessed Miguel Pro

Join the party!

Padre Miguel Pro struck a chord with our family the first time I read his story to my boys. For boys, who tend to be inspired by "super hero" type things, this priest is a real life super hero. We have recently found out that this blessed man spent some time just miles from where we live!!-- and  a relic of his is there. We are hoping to be able to visit this place in honor of Padre Miguel's feast day tomorrow.

For today:

We made this great little Mobile Christ the King Shrine. This idea is from the Celebrating Blessed Miguel Pro activity book. The shrine is inspired by the traveling kit that Blessed Miguel would have had to carry hidden with him to secretly celebrate mass at a time when doing so was illegal in Mexico. Padre Miguel Pro's last words: "Long Live Christ the King" set the theme for the shrine.

Also from the activity book:

We are working a crossword puzzle about the Life of Blessed Miguel Pro.

Mark is pleased that his shirt has one of the crossword answers on it. 

Still to come:

Color our "Friend of Miguel Pro" buttons (from activity book), make some Mexican Hot Chocolate (not sure how authentic this recipe is, but it is easy), and, as mentioned, we hope to visit his relic nearby.

I had hoped to invite some friends over for this special day, but I think we will wait for All Saint's Day next year and have a "Padre Miguel Pro" activity table. I forget how crazy things get as the holiday nears. I'll look at this as our "test run". :)

I am linking this to Paper Dali where you can see other Miguel Pro inspired posts.

Novena Prayer to Blessed Miguel Agustin Pro, SJ

From Father Miguel's Home Page

Novena Prayer to Blessed Miguel Agustin Pro, SJ


Blessed martyr of Christ the King, Father Miguel Agustin Pro, you are a special patron of those who labor, those in illness, depression or despair. You are also a friend of musicians, the captives, and all who work toward social justice. Your beloved brothers, the Jesuits, revere you and count you among the ranks of their saints. You love your people of Mexico and all those loyal to the Church.

I thank the Sacred Heart for loving you so dearly.

I pray to Our Lady of Guadalupe whom you love so dear, to intercede for the cause of your canonization.

I pray that you remember me in your eternal and well-deserved rejoicing, and also my needs: [state needs]

Through your courageous life and martyrdom you have won the crown of life everlasting.

Remember me, Blessed Miguel, for I remember you.

Viva Cristo Rey! Viva la Virgen de Guadalupe!



IMPRIMATUR: Most Reverend John F. Donoghue

Archbishop of Atlanta

December 21, 2004

Blessed Miguel Pro

¡ Viva Cristo Rey !

We first met this holy man when we read  "God's Secret Agent: Blessed Miguel Pro" in Stories of the Saints (vol.1) by Elaine Woodfield from Catholic Heritage Curricula.

A priest in Mexico in 1927, Father Miguel was at constant risk of being arrested. According to the atheist government of the time, Father was a criminal just for being a priest. The story of Father Miguel Pro is one of a priest doing his best to serve his people under the most difficult circumstances. My boys were taken with his wit, his humor, and his heroism.

Father Miguel Pro's feast day is November 23rd, so this is a great time to get to know him!

Blessed Miguel Pro Resources:
Blessed Miguel Pro's Home Page
A brief history of Blessed Miguel Pro's arrest and execution with photos.
Link from Blessed Miguel's Home Page. There are photos of the execution, so I strongly suggest previewing this before allowing children to see.
Jose Finds the King: A Blessed Miguel Pro Story (book)
Reading Comprehension: Stories of the Saints Volume 1 (book)
Paper Dali on celebrating Blessed Miguel Pro

Celebrating Blessed Miguel Pro Giveaway

We ordered Celebrating Blessed Miguel Pro, A Supplement to Jose Finds the King: A Blessed Miguel Pro Story a few weeks ago and have been anticipating its arrival ever since. It arrived today, and I would love to share!! I ordered a few extras- one to share with my sister, one for my sister-in-law, and one to give away.

If you would like a copy of the this fun little book, you can enter this giveaway by leaving me a comment with a way for me to contact you (email address or through your blog). On November 1st, my boys will put the names in a hat and pick one (we are not very sophisticated bloggers here:)).

Blessed Miguel Pro's feast day is November 23rd, so this book is just in time! If you do not know Miguel Pro, his life is a wonderful example of courageous faith. My boys are inspired by him.

Learn more about Blessed Miguel Pro in this post.