VIVA CRISTO REY is a Traditional Catholic battle hymn honoring the Cristeros of Mexico-the farmers, laborers, priests, and young martyrs who rose to defend the Holy Mass during the Cristero War.
Where in the world are you shouting “¡Viva Cristo Rey!” ?
Do you know any good stories of the Cristeros? Share them with us all in the comments!
ADDRESS
Brothers and Sisters, this is the 100th Anniversary of the beginning of the Cristeros War. It was a war that was not won, but betrayed by the very hierarchy that represented the Catholic Church at the time. It was a brave fight with many lessons for us today. In fact, the comparison is too striking to call out.
The only difference is that they died for their faith…WHAT HAVE WE DONE?
The Cristeros laid down their lives to defend the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Many faithful and many good priests served and fought in this War. Many fight the good fight today, and like them we are betrayed by those seeking to destroy the Church from within.
The Cristeros leaders even were divided in power struggles and ideological clashes, and yet they all fought on and many died for Christ the King.
Sadly this in-fighting will continue today. Fraternities, organizations, even newcomers and converts are attempting, often succeeding and often failing, to fight this evil.
However, we should not forget this fight was forced upon us, as it was forced upon the Cristeros.
We should fight for victory, but also we should remember we do not have to win the war, Christ the King has already won.
Our ONLY calling is to die fighting on his side. This is the means of our salvation as it was for the Cristeros. They did their duty, and it is time to reflect if we are doing ours.
“VIVA CRISTO REY!”
DEDICATION
This song is dedicated to Juan Daniel Macias Villegas, the last surviving Cristero who died in February 2016, aged 103. He joined the “Dragons of El Catorce” when he was only 13 years old. His birthday is July 21st, 1912. The story is told in song, referring to him as “Juanito”…the diminuative of his namesake.
THE STORY
In 1926, President Plutarco Elías Calles closed the churches, outlawed public Catholic worship, hunted priests, and tried to silence the Faith in the very land claimed by Our Lady of Guadalupe.
The people first answered with prayer, fasting, petitions, and peaceful resistance. When persecution continued, ordinary working men rode out from Jalisco and Los Altos to fight back.
They were the Cristeros.
This song remembers the courage of El Catorce, the leadership of General Enrique Gorostieta, and the Catholic martyrs who gave their lives with the Kingship of Christ upon their lips.
Great saints, Blessed Father Miguel Pro*, *José Sánchez del Río, and many other martyrs died with ¡Viva Cristo Rey! on their lips
Yet the Cristero story is not only a memory from the past.
Governments still claim the authority to close churches “for our safety.” Shepherds still withhold the sacraments at the command of civil rulers. Priests who preserve the ancient Mass are disciplined, while open attacks upon Catholic doctrine pass through the doors without resistance.
The rifles have ceased-but the struggle for the Faith has not.
May the courage of the Cristeros awaken Catholic fathers, strengthen faithful priests, and remind every Christian nation that Jesus Christ is not merely King within our hearts.
Raise the banner of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Remember the martyrs.
Defend the Catholic Faith.
¡VIVA CRISTO REY!
