For Greater Glory

After a long wait I finally got the opportunity to watch “For Greater Glory,” a movie about the bloody Cristero War (1926-29) in Mexico, when the socialist President Plutarco Calles restricted religious freedom. A very poignant movie for us as our religious freedoms is now being trampled upon. No, it is not as extreme for us as it was in Mexico – at least not yet, but it is already law. This is what happened when a socialist takes over a country. The first thing they do is eliminate the influence of the church. We have seen this over and over again through history; Germany, France, Mexico – to name just a few – and now us.

Who will you side with? This is a matter of your heart, and sadly, for many, a matter of their pocketbook, for we see over any over again that people will choose their wallet over their faith, values, and morals. We have seen this most vividly with the Democratic party. My parents were Democrats. But that party has embraced socialism, abortion, stem-cell research, euthanasia, homosexual “marriage,” and so many other things contrary to the teaching of our faith and natural law. You are not asked to die for your faith as 90,000 Mexicans did. But will you not take the time to simply vote to protect your faith, your church, and your religious freedoms this November. Will you not speak to your friends and relative with conviction on these matters?

Your heart will be touched my one of the characters in the movie and a real life person and now Blessed Jose Sanchez del Rio, a fifteen year old who was tortured and died for his faith in Mexico. I have turned to Blessed Jose in my prayers to ask for the courage, strength, and conviction to defend my faith and liberties.

Following is a list of Saints and Blesseds from the Mexico persecutions:

Blessed Miguel Agustin Pro, S.J
Blessed Jose Sanchez del Rio
Blessed Anacleto Gonzalez Flores
St. Agustín Caloca
St. Atilano Cruz Alvarado
St. Cristobal Magallanes
St. David GalvÁn Bermudes
St. David RoldÁn Lara
St. David Uribe Velasco
St. Jenaro SÁnchez Delgadillo
St. Jesús Méndez Montoya
St. José Isabel Flores Varela
St. José Maria Robles Hurtado (Priest)*
St. Jóven Salvador Lara Puente
St. Julio Álvarez Mendoza
St. Justino Orona Madrigal
St. Luis Batiz SÁinz (Priest)*
St. Manuel Morales
St. Margarito Flores García
St. Mateo Correa Magallanes (Priest)*
St. Miguel De La Mora (Priest)*
St. Pedro de Jesús Maldonado Lucero (Priest)*
St. Pedro Esqueda Ramírez
St. Rodrigo Aguilar AlemÁn (Priest)*
St. RomÁn Adame Rosales
St. Sabas Reyes Salazar
St. Tranquilino Ubiarco
St. Toribio Romo GonzÁlez
Blessed Andrés SolÁ Molist (Priest)*
Blessed Ángel Darío Acosta Zurita (Priest)
Blessed Ezequiel Huerta Gutiérrez
Blessed Jorge Vargas GonzÁlez
Blessed José Trinidad Rangel Montaño (Priest) *
Blessed Leonardo Pérez Larios *
Blessed Luis Magaña Servín
Blessed Luis Padilla Gómez
Blessed Miguel Gómez Loza
Blessed Mateo Elías del Socorro Nieves (Priest)
Blessed Ramón Vargas GonzÁlez
Blessed Salvador Huerta Gutiérrez
* Indicates member of Knights of Columbus.

I urge you to see the movie. If you would like to learn more from the author of the story, The Catholic World Report has this article here.

Wikipedia also has an article .

During the interview the author states ‘There is a very powerful quote from the film that I believe everyone must memorize it. Fr. Vega quotes: “We must not allow for the Godless to take away our faith.”’

And I must ask you: Will you allow for the Godless to take away our faith?