Agustín Caloca Cortés
Agustín Caloca Cortés was a Mexican Catholic priest and martyr who died during the Cristero War. He is remembered for his martyrdom alongside Cristóbal Magallanes Jara and other companions, refusing freedom unless his fellow priest was also released.
- Feast Day
- May 25
- Century
- 20th century
- Country Or Region
- Mexico
Key Facts
- ›Agustín Caloca Cortés was born on may 5, 1898, in San Juan Bautista del TeúL, Zacatecas.
- ›He studied at the Guadalajara Seminary and later at the Auxiliary Seminary of our Lady of Guadalupe in Totatiche.
- ›Cortés was ordained a priest on August 5, 1923, in Guadalajara.
- ›He was assigned as a parish priest and prefect of the auxiliary seminary at the request of Fr. Magallanes.
- ›He was arrested and executed by firing squad on may 25, 1927, in Colotlán, Jalisco.
- ›Cortés was canonized on may 21, 2000, as part of the martyrs of the Cristero War.
About Agustín Caloca Cortés
Agustín Caloca Cortés was a Mexican Catholic priest and a martyr of the Cristero War. Born on May 5, 1898, in San Juan Bautista del Teúl, Zacatecas, Mexico, his parents were peasants named Eduwiges and María Plutarca Cortés Caloca. He began his priestly studies at the Guadalajara Seminary, but the campus was closed in 1914 due to anticlerical government policies. He then continued his education at the Auxiliary Seminary of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Totatiche, which had been established by Father Cristóbal Magallanes Jara.
Caloca Cortés returned to the Guadalajara Seminary in 1919 to study Theology and was ordained a priest on August 5, 1923. At the request of Father Magallanes Jara, he was assigned as a parish priest and prefect of the auxiliary seminary. In December 1926, he was forced to flee with eleven seminarians due to the escalating conflict, eventually returning to Totatiche in May 1927 to warn of approaching government soldiers. He helped the seminarians escape before being captured himself.
He was imprisoned in Colotlán and reunited with Father Magallanes Jara. Reportedly, an army officer offered him freedom due to his youth, but Caloca Cortés refused unless Father Magallanes Jara was also released. He was executed by firing squad on May 25, 1927, alongside Father Magallanes Jara and other companions. His last words were, "We live for God and for Him we die." Originally buried in Colotlán, his remains were later exhumed and transferred to his home parish of San Juan Bautista in El Teúl. He was canonized by Pope John Paul II on May 21, 2000, as one of the martyrs of the Cristero War.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Agustín Caloca Cortés born?
Agustín Caloca Cortés was born on May 5, 1898. His birthplace was the ranch of La Presa in San Juan Bautista del Teúl, Zacatecas.
What was Agustín Caloca Cortés's role during the Cristero War?
Agustín Caloca Cortés served as a priest and prefect of the Auxiliary Seminary of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Totatiche. He was arrested while warning seminarians of approaching government soldiers and was later executed.
How did Agustín Caloca Cortés die?
Agustín Caloca Cortés died on May 25, 1927, as a martyr during the Cristero War. He was executed by firing squad in Colotlán, Jalisco, along with Cristóbal Magallanes Jara.
Was Agustín Caloca Cortés canonized?
Yes, Agustín Caloca Cortés was canonized by Pope John Paul II on May 21, 2000. He is recognized as one of the martyrs of the Cristero War, part of a group known as 'Cristóbal Magallanes Jara and 19 companions'.
What were Agustín Caloca Cortés's last words?
His last words before execution were, 'We live for God and for Him we die.' This statement reflects his faith and commitment in the face of death.
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