Saint of the Day: Bl. Luis Magaña Servín

Martyr (1902-1928)

His life

+ Luis was born in Arandas, Jalisco, Mexico.

+ He grew up helping his father in his leather tanning business and was a member of his parish’s “Our Lady of Guadalupe Association” for tradesmen. In his free time, he was a fan of baseball.

+ Luis was married to Elvira Camarena Méndez in 1926 and the couple had one son.

+ On February 9, 1928, government soldiers came to Luis as a Cristero (a Catholic who fought against the government and its anti-Catholic/anti-Church policies), in his home town of Arandas. Luis was away from home, so they took his brother.

+ Upon hearing the news, Luis turned himself in, free his brother, but effectively sealing his own fate.

+ Luis was immediately executed, leaving behind his son and Elvira, who was pregnant with their second child, Maria Luisa (born after her father’s death). He was twenty-five at the time of his death.

+ Blessed Luis Magaña Servín was beatified with other martyrs of the Mexican Revolution in 2005.

For prayer and reflection

“I have never been a rebellious Cristero as you believe, but if I am accused of being a Christian, then yes, I am, and if for this I have to be killed, welcome. Long live Christ the King and Saint Mary of Guadalupe!”—The words of Blessed Luis Magaña Servín upon surrendering to government agents

Prayer

Almighty and merciful God, who brought your Martyr blessed Luis 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.