Some background: During the early 20th century, there was a secularist, anti-Catholic movement in Mexico – churches were closed, Catholics were persecuted, and priests and even altar boys were savagely killed. There was a civilian uprising in response to the restrictions and prohibitions imposed by the government called the Cristero War, and the people fought back to reclaim their churches and their religious freedoms and practices. The faithful universally adopted the heroic battle cry, “¡Viva Cristo Rey!” (Long live Christ the King!)
I have long had a great admiration for Blessed Miguel Pro, the Mexican Jesuit priest who suffered a gruesome martyrdom in 1927 as a result of this anti-Catholic movement. In my classroom one year, after reciting our opening prayers, we included, “¡Beato Miguel Pro, ruega por nosotros!” (Blessed Miguel Pro, pray for us!) I would then call out “¡Viva Cristo Rey!” to which the students enthusiastically exclaimed, “¡Que Viva!” (He lives!) This prayer, one entire school year was recited every day, six times per day. It was a glorious year. (The story of this tragic time, often overlooked, was told in the movie “For Greater Glory.”)
There was a faithful young Cristero (too young to fight, but faithfully carried the banner of Our Lady of Guadalupe into battle) who was captured and tortured, refusing to renounce his faith. During his torture, when the soldiers demanded that he claim “Death to Christ,” the 15-year-old boy continued to cry, “¡Viva Cristo Rey!” On the way to his death, his captors sliced the bottoms of his feet and forced him to walk the gravel roads through the town to his grave, leaving a bloody path behind him. It is said that he told the federal troops, as they continued to horrifically beat him, “You have done so much to me, but God allows me to continue. But when I can no longer speak, if I wiggle my feet, that means ‘Viva Cristo Rey’ and ‘Viva la Virgen de Guadalupe!’” It seems to me that there can be no greater Patron Saint for foot ailments and sufferings than St. Jose Sanchez del Rio. Without a doubt he will accompany me on this Camino.
Indeed, I have been plagued recently with the “B-Word”…. blisters. My distance increased to 18 miles, and then I cut back on distance and started increasing the weight in my pack up to 15 pounds – the combination of which has brought on a series of blisters which sometimes feels like I’m walking on glass. This has me a bit worried. Although I’m feeling stronger than ever, I know that the management of my feet is going to be an issue – ask any pilgrim.
I am blessed to have a good friend and teaching colleague who is a podiatric surgeon. She has advised me on how to best take care of my feet along this preparation process. I am confident that I will be well equipped to address any eventuality, but still I pray endurance through the discomforts that will inevitably develop along the way. I pray that I can remember that my little sufferings are nothing compared to those endured by our heroic Saints and Our Blessed Lord.
¡San Jose Sanchez del Rio, ruega por nosotros!