Relics of Mexican Martyrs Come to Arizona

The relics of six Knights of Columbus priests, martyred during the period of anti-Catholic persecution in Mexico in the 1920s and 1930s began a pilgrimage of the United States in Houston on April 27. From May 10 through 15 2011, Arizona will be one of the first stops for the international tour.

May 10 - 11, 2012 - Tucson

The Relics will be at the Cathedral of St. Augustine and St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church from Thursday, May 10 through Friday May 11, 2012. During this stop on the tour, the Relics will be available at Saint Augustine's for veneration and visitation after the 8:30 a.m. Mass, from 9:30 a.m. Thursday morning until 8:00 p.m. in the evening. Then on Friday at St. John the Evangelist 9:15 a.m. after the Morning Mass until 9:00 p.m. that evening. from 2:00 p.m. till 4:00 p.m.

After their stop in Tucson, the Relics will travel to Phoenix where they will visit Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral Saturday and Sunday, May 12 and 13, 2012. 

May 12 - 13, 2012 - Phoenix

The Relics will be at Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral from Saturday, May 12 through Sunday, May 13. During this weekend, the Relics will be available for veneration and visitation from 9:00 a.m. Saturday until 12:30 p.m. and from 2:00 p.m. till 4:00 p.m. They will be present during all the Masses on Saturday and Sunday. The Relics will also be available for visitation on Sunday from 2:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m.

Mexican Martyrs - The Tour

The six priest martyrs — Fathers Pedro de Jesus Maldonado Lucero, Miguel de la Mora de la Mora, Jose Maria Robles Hurtado, Luis Batiz Sainz, Rodrigo Aguilar Alemán, and Mateo Correa Magallanes — all died for their faith at the hands of the Mexican government during the religious persecution in Mexico in the early 20th century.

The tour coincides with the release of both a major motion picture - For Greater Glory - and a book on the subject of the struggle for religious freedom in Mexico. The pilgrimage of these relics are hoped to remind us all of the sacrifices made on behalf of religious liberty on this continent less than 100 years ago.

For more information on the International Relics of the Mexican Martyrs Tour, visit the Knights of Columbus Supreme website: www.kofc.org. The local media contact for Arizona is John Garcia, State Public Relations Director. He can be reached at telephone (602) 525-4424, or by e-mail at garciakofc@cox.net.