Born in 1891 in Guadalupe, Mexico, Miguel Pro was the mischievous eldest son of the Pro family, known for his jokes and sweet tooth. But when his sister became a nun, Miguel recognized his own call to priesthood. He joined the Jesuits in 1911 amidst turmoiling times in Mexico.
Miguel Pro’s Underground Ministry and Close Calls
In 1926, the Jesuits sent Miguel Pro back to his homeland, hoping it might alleviate his chronic illness. However, just 23 days after arriving, President Calles banned public Catholic worship. Since unknown as a priest, Fr. Pro began covertly celebrating Mass, distributing communion, hearing confessions, and anointing the sick. He navigated precarious adventures “with the exclusive privilege of petty thieves,” as he wrote.
Miguel Pro the jokester became “Cocol” the fugitive padre, relying on wit and clever costumes to outmaneuver police. He attended to impoverished families desperately needing food, medicine, shelter. “My purse is as dry as Calles’s soul, but heaven’s treasuries never fail,” he remarked. Even amid harrowing brushes with martyrdom, he daydreamed of strumming a guitar alongside his guardian angel.
With a woman’s purse as his prop, he once accosted an elegantly dressed lady asking fifty pesos for it so that he could secretly deliver the funds to a starving family. Such hair-raising exploits let him see “God’s hand palpably in everything,” yet he half-joked that maybe they wouldn’t kill him after all!
But the anticlerical government already had him in its crosshairs for some balloons disseminating Gospel messages over Mexico City. Though arrested, insufficient evidence prompted his release. After this close shave, his superiors permitted Padre Pro to resume his high-stakes mission. More brushes with martyrdom awaited, but Cocol’s holy humor never wavered.
Holy Hilarity: Miguel Pro’s Humor Unnerves Oppressors
Miguel Pro’s irrepressible wit shone brightest against the bleakest brutality. When police arrested his brothers in November 1927 for a failed assassination attempt they didn’t commit, Miguel deployed his characteristic humor to comfort them in their cell. After condemnation without trial, the firing squad awaited.
D declined a blindfold, instead opening his arms crosswise, a crucifix in one hand, rosary in the other. “You know I am innocent!” he cried out. “I forgive my enemies with all my heart!” Then the shots rang out as he shouted “Long live Christ the King!” Surviving the volley, a soldier finally killed him at pointblank range.
Calles ordered photographers to capture the execution, thinking such imagery would extinguish resistance. Instead, the photos electrified his followers. At his funeral, thousands defiantly lined the streets, risking their own lives to pay respects. Even after death, the prospect of the laughing saint’s jokes in heaven boosted morale. “If I meet any long-faced saints up there,” he once jested, “I’ll cheer them up with a Mexican hat dance!”
In his cell, Pro had playfully promised to rain flowers after his death as a sign of his sanctity. Soon after, it was said, red carnations showered an inmate named José. Another reported vision said Miguel appeared in a prison hallway, sporting his familiar broad-brimmed sombrero. Winking, he said those hats would be in style for eternity. Through such buoyant grace amid evil, Blessed Miguel Pro continues inspiring faith, mirth, and resistance.
His holy humor and sacrifice turned Mexico’s deadly religious persecution on its head through stunning grace. Although the regime tried leveraging his execution as propaganda, the indomitable priest eternally checkmated their gambit. Smiling amid bullets, forgiving his killers, blessing all present, he showcased invincible faith amid hatred, inspiring devotees ever since.
References
Ezequiel, Gerardo. Miguel Pro: 20th Century Mexican Martyr. Catholic Answers, 2020.
Ghezzi, Bert. Voices of the Saints. Image Books, 2002.
Muller, Gerald, C.S.C. Father Miguel Pro: A Modern Mexican Martyr. Ignatius Press, 2018.