Priest and Martyr (1900-1928)
His life
+ Toribio was born in Santa Ana de Guadalupe, Jalisco, Mexico.
+ Ordained at the age of twenty-one (after receiving a special dispensation because he was so young), he served parish priest in Tequila and Agua Caliente, villages in the archdiocese of Guadalajara.
+ Remembered for his generosity and devotion to the Eucharist, he was shot to death in his rectory on the morning of February 25, 1928, during the religious persecutions of the Mexican Revolution.
+ Canonized in 2000 with other Martyrs of the Mexican Revolution, “San Toribio” has come to be honored a special protector and patron of immigrants. Numerous miracles and favors have been attributed to his intercession, especially among Mexican immigrants coming to the United States.
For prayer and reflection
“Lord, do not leave me nor permit a day of my life pass without my saying the Mass, without receiving your embrace in communion.”—Saint Toribio Romo González
Spiritual Bonus
On this day the Benedictines and Cistercians celebrate the memory of Saint Walburga. The daughter of the British king Saint Richard, she became one of many saints associated with Saint Boniface’s mission in what is now Germany. She established a monastery of men and women (living in separate cloisters but coming together for liturgy) at Heidenheim. Saint Walburga died in 779 and she is honored for the many miracles attributed to her intercession and a miraculous oil which exudes from the rock on which her relics rest.
Prayer
Almighty and merciful God, who brought your Martyr blessed Toribio to overcome the torments of his passion, grant that we, who celebrate the day of his triumph, may remain invincible under your protection against the snares of the enemy. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
(from The Roman Missal: Common of Martyrs—For One Martyr)
Saint profiles prepared by Brother Silas Henderson, S.D.S.
And today we celebrate...