Blessed Anacleto Gonzalez Flores Novena
Contents
Show HideBlessed Anacleto Gonzalez Flores was a martyr who lived in the 1800s-1900s. He lived in Mexico during the Cristero War. He was tortured and killed for his Faith during the persecution of Catholics under Mexico’s anti-Catholic government.
Blessed Anacleto Gonzalez Flores was beatified by Pope Benedict XVI. You can use this novena to seek intercession from this courageous martyr!
About Blessed Anacleto Gonzalez Flores
Blessed Anacleto Gonzalez Flores was born in 1888. He was one of twelve children, and his parents were very poor. Anacleto was baptized the day he was born.
During Anacleto’s childhood, he proved himself to be very smart. A priest friend of his family noticed his intelligence and suggested that he attend a high school seminary. Anacleto excelled in his studies at the high school seminary, but he eventually discerned that he was not called to the priesthood.
After leaving the seminary, Anacleto began studying law. In 1922, he completed his law studies and became an attorney. He also married Maria Concepcion Guerrero the same year. The two of them eventually had two children.
As a young man, Anacleto was also deeply involved in many religious activities. He went to Mass every day, practiced charitable works, visited prisoners, and taught Catechism classes.
As the government in Mexico became more violently anti-Catholic, Anacleto became active in fighting against this persecution. He established a magazine called La Palabra, in which he challenged the anti-Catholic and anti-clerical components of the Consitition of 1917.
He also established and led an organization called the Popular Union. The Popular Union’s aim was to organize Catholics for resistance against these anti-Catholic policies.
Though Anacleto originally supported passive resistance against the government persecution, the murder of four members of the Catholic Association of Mexican Youth showed him that Catholics would need to resist more actively. He joined the National League for the Defense of Religious Freedom
In 1927, the Cristero War began as Mexican Catholics took up arms against the anti-Catholic government. Anacleto gave speeches and wrote pamphlets encouraging others to support the Cristeros in every way possible, whether through money, accommodations, or food.
Within a few months, Anacleto was captured by the government. He was framed for the murder of an American named Edgar Wilkens, though the government knew that he had not killed Wilkens.
Anacleto was brought to the Colorado Jail. There, he was tortured by being hung by his thumbs until his thumbs became dislocated, being hit so hard in the shoulder with a rifle that his shoulder fractured, and having his feet slashed. Despite his sufferings, Anacleto refused to give any information about his fellow Catholics.
On April 1st, 1927, Anacleto was executed by a firing squad. His last words before death were, “Hear Americas for the second time: I die, but God does not. Viva Cristo Rey!”
Blessed Anacleto Gonzalez’s Feast Day: November 20th
Why Pray the Blessed Anacleto Gonzalez Flores Novena?
Blessed Anacleto Gonzalez is the patron of the Mexican laity. You can ask him to pray for him if you are a lay person in Mexico or from Mexico. You can also ask him to pray for a Mexican lay person whom you know.
Blessed Anacleto Gonzalez can also be a great intercessor for Christians suffering persecution for their Faith today, since he endured great persecution for his Faith and was ultimately martyred. You can ask him to pray for you if you’re being persecuted for your Faith, or you can ask him to pray for someone you know who is being persecuted for their Faith.
You can pray the Blessed Anacleto Gonzalez Flores Novena for any intention!
Blessed Anacleto Gonzalez Flores Novena Prayers
Blessed Anacleto Gonzalez Flores Novena - Day 1
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us Blessed Anacleto Gonzalez Flores as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the love of You he grew in throughout his life, from the time he was a child.
Blessed Anacleto Gonzalez Flores, you were baptized on the day you were born. You grew up in a holy family who set you on the path to holiness and serving God.
Please bring my petitions before God Whom you served!
As a young man, others suspected that you might have a vocation to the priesthood. You attended a seminary high school and opened yourself up to God’s will for your life.
Pray for me, that I may always be eager to serve God in my life in whatever ways He might call me to. Pray that I may be eager to devote my life to God.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
Blessed Anacleto Gonzalez Flores, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Blessed Anacleto Gonzalez Flores Novena - Day 2
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us Blessed Anacleto Gonzalez Flores as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the devotion to You he showed in discerning whether he had a vocation to the priesthood.
Blessed Anacleto Gonzalez Flores, a priest friend of your family recognized your intelligence and your potential to be a good priest. He suggested that you enter the high school seminary, and you began to discern how God was calling you to serve Him.
Please bring my petitions before God Whom you served so devotedly!
Though you discerned that God was not calling you to the priesthood, you continued to serve God wholeheartedly as a layman for the rest of your life.
Pray for me, that I may serve God as devotedly as you did. Pray that I may be open to serving God in whatever ways He calls me to.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
Blessed Anacleto Gonzalez Flores, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Blessed Anacleto Gonzalez Flores Novena - Day 3
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us Blessed Anacleto Gonzalez Flores as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the love of God he showed in his openness to serving You in whatever ways You called him to.
Blessed Anacleto Gonzalez Flores, you began studying for the priesthood in a high school seminary at the suggestion of your family’s priest friend. You did not discern that you were ultimately called to the priesthood, but you continued serving God.
Please continue to bring my petitions before the throne of God!
You married and had children. As a layman, you did all you could to carry out God’s will for your life and to serve Him with devotion.
Pray for me, that I may be open to serving God even in unexpected ways. Pray that I may grow in my submission to God’s will.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
Blessed Anacleto Gonzalez Flores, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Blessed Anacleto Gonzalez Flores Novena - Day 4
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us Blessed Anacleto Gonzalez Flores as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the virtue he showed in his practice of the works of mercy towards those in need.
Blessed Anacleto Gonzalez Flores, you discerned that God was not calling you to become a priest. But this did not lead you to abandon the pursuit of holiness. Instead, you threw yourself into holy practices and charitable works, out of love for God.
Please bring my petitions before God Whom you loved so dearly!
You visited prisoners, cared for the poor, and taught Catechism classes. You devoted yourself wholeheartedly to serving God.
Pray for me, that I may grow in my desire to serve God through works of mercy towards others. Pray that I may always be eager to serve God in whatever ways He puts before me.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
Blessed Anacleto Gonzalez Flores, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Blessed Anacleto Gonzalez Flores Novena - Day 5
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us Blessed Anacleto Gonzalez Flores as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the love of You he showed in choosing to do what was right no matter the cost.
Blessed Anacleto Gonzalez Flores, you lived in a society that was hostile to your Catholic Faith. As the government became more violently anti-Catholic, you resolved to do all you could to stand against this injustice, no matter how difficult it might be.
Please do all you can to bring my petitions before God!
Your support of the Cristeros who fought against the government led to your capture. Though you were tortured and ultimately killed, you held fast to your Faith and to what was right.
Pray for me, that I may grow in fortitude in my life. Pray that I may never waver in doing what is right, no matter the cost.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
Blessed Anacleto Gonzalez Flores, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Blessed Anacleto Gonzalez Flores Novena - Day 6
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us Blessed Anacleto Gonzalez Flores as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the devotion to You he showed despite his sufferings when he was imprisoned unjustly.
Blessed Anacleto Gonzalez Flores, you saw the need to stand up against the anti-Catholic policies of your government. Though you must have known it could lead to a lot of suffering for you, you never wavered in your commitment to what was right.
Please never waver in bringing my petitions before God!
You were captured by the government and accused of a murder you did not commit. You were tortured and ultimately gave up your life for the Faith.
Pray for me, that I may never allow any sufferings to deter me from doing what is right. Pray that I may always hold fast to my Faith, no matter the cost.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
Blessed Anacleto Gonzalez Flores, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Blessed Anacleto Gonzalez Flores Novena - Day 7
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us Blessed Anacleto Gonzalez Flores as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the love of You he held fast to amidst the many sufferings he endured on account of his Faith.
Blessed Anacleto Gonzalez Flores, you saw how wrong the anti-Catholic policies of your government were. You chose to do what you could to help stop the persecution of God’s Church.
Please bring my petitions before God for Whom you fought!
You were captured, framed for a murder, falsely imprisoned, and tortured. You refused to betray your fellow Christians, and you ultimately gave up your life for the Faith.
Pray for me, that I may be as steadfast in my Faith despite all sufferings as you were. Pray that I may be ready even to die for my Faith if necessary.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
Blessed Anacleto Gonzalez Flores, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Blessed Anacleto Gonzalez Flores Novena - Day 8
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us Blessed Anacleto Gonzalez Flores as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the virtue he showed in courageously holding fast to his Faith even to the point of death.
Blessed Anacleto Gonzalez Flores, you were captured by the anti-Catholic government and imprisoned for a murder you did not commit. Despite your sufferings, you continued to hold fast to your Faith.
Please continue to bring my petitions before the throne of God!
Though you were tortured brutally, you refused to betray your fellow Catholics by giving the government information. You courageously chose to give up your life for the Faith.
Pray for me, that I may be as courageous in my practice of the Faith as you were. Pray that I may always hold fast to my Faith, no matter the cost.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
Blessed Anacleto Gonzalez Flores, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Blessed Anacleto Gonzalez Flores Novena - Day 9
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us Blessed Anacleto Gonzalez Flores as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the love of You he showed in his life of devotion to You and Your Church.
Blessed Anacleto Gonzalez Flores, you saw the need to defend the Church against the attacks of your government. Though you faced a lot of suffering on this path, you persevered in defending the Church.
Please persevere in bringing my petitions before God!
You were captured, imprisoned, and tortured on account of your Faith. You ultimately chose to give your life up for the Faith as a martyr.
Pray for me, that I may be as devoted a servant of God and His Church as you were. Pray that I may never waver in my devotion to God, no matter what sufferings I might face.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
Blessed Anacleto Gonzalez Flores, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.