Blessed Fr. Miguel Pro Novena
Contents
Show HideFrom a young age, Blessed Miguel Pro’s joy and rambunctiousness made him special. He took ministering to his people in spite of persecution seriously, but still with that same joy and energy. His love for God and serving the Church would lead him to his death, but not without first making a profound statement about what it means to lay down one’s life for a friend.
Pray the Blessed Miguel Pro novena with us to ask for Bl. Pro’s intercession!
About Blessed Miguel Pro
St. Juan Diego isn’t the only famous Catholic from Guadalupe! Blessed Miguel Pro was also born there on January 13, 1891.
From an early age, two things set Bl. Pro apart: his deep faith and his mischievousness. A lover of both God and practical jokes, he certainly kept his parents occupied. His adventurous spirit often led to putting himself in danger. Throughout it all, his joy was evident. His faith and joy led naturally to love, particularly a love of helping others.
Upon his eldest sister entering the religious life, Miguel began to examine his own vocation too. It was at that time that Miguel realized his calling to become a priest. He left behind a life of popularity and the prospect of a prosperous business with his father to become a Jesuit in 1911.
During his studies to become a priest, the Mexican government became vehemently opposed to Catholicism. As a result, Miguel and the other Jesuit seminarians had to flee north, where they eventually settled in California. A year later, Miguel was sent to Spain to continue his studies for the priesthood, and he remained in that country for almost a decade. He was ordained a priest in 1925 in Belgium.
The joy of finally being a priest was soon diminished by an illness of the stomach. Fr. Pro underwent three surgeries, but he was still suffering. As a result, the Jesuit leaders agreed to let him return to Mexico despite the raging religious persecution there.
Fr. Pro fully embraced ministering to his persecuted people. At the time, those who openly proclaimed the Catholic faith were targeted, so he had to be particularly secret in helping people to live out the faith. Saying Mass and performing the sacraments was a daily risk that Fr. Pro willingly and joyfully undertook.
That mischievous side from his youth came in handy when Fr. Pro was trying to stealthily spread the gospel. He would often dress up in ingenius disguises to avoid suspicion. Highlights included a beggar, a businessman with a flower lapel, and even a police officer to slip into jail to visit those who had been imprisoned for being Catholic.
It was only a matter of time until Fr. Pro was betrayed, discovered, and convicted for a crime he didn’t commit in order to punish him for his faith. He was sentenced to death and martyred on November 23, 1927. Prior to being killed by shooting, he prayed, forgave his executioners, and stood in the form of a cross to receive his death. As the shots rang out, he cried “Vivo Cristo Rey!” or “Long Live Jesus Christ!”
His dedication and devotion to the people didn’t go unnoticed. His funeral was attended by thousands to thank him for his bravery in continuing to help grow their faith despite persecution.
Bl. Miguel Pro was beatified on September 25, 1988. A shrine in his honor can be found at Church of the Holy Family in Mexico City.
Feast day: November 23
Why Pray the Blessed Miguel Pro Novena?
Do you ever feel persecuted for your faith? Are you afraid to talk about it for fear of being discriminated against or left out? Then the Blessed Miguel Pro novena is for you. Ask that Blessed Miguel Pro would inspire you with confidence and courage to proclaim your faith boldly despite whatever fears may hold you back.
You may also enjoy the Blessed Miguel Pro novena if you are someone who appreciates the joys of life. Bl. Pro was famous for his rambunctious spirit and clever disguises. Pray that he will help you use your joyfulness to give glory to God, just as he did!
The Blessed Miguel Pro novena is also special for those who are considering a call to the religious life, especially the priesthood.
Finally, you can pray this novena for an end to religious persecution around the world.
You can pray the Blessed Miguel Pro novena for any intention!
Blessed Fr. Miguel Pro Novena Prayers
Blessed Fr. Miguel Pro Novena - Day 1
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Lord, You must find it so meaningful when a person persists in his or her faith despite persecution!
I can’t imagine how challenging your ministry must have been, Blessed Miguel Pro. You were faced with the death penalty if you were discovered. It’s challenging enough to be a priest without religious persecution added to it!
Blessed Pro, I bring before you all those who are persecuted for their faith. I know there are some countries in the world where those who are Catholic need to be secretive about their faith so that they won’t be killed. Even in more tolerant countries in the world, Catholics are verbally persecuted and discriminated against because of their beliefs.
Please be with all of those who are affected by religious persecution, Blessed Pro. Please strengthen their faith against attack. Allow them to find ways to be fortified in their beliefs. And please guide us toward a more peaceful earth where religious persecution can be eliminated.
Please also keep in mind my intentions:
(State your intentions here)
Vivo Cristo Rey!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Blessed Fr. Miguel Pro Novena - Day 2
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Jesus, You taught us in the Our Father to pray to God to “forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.” That sounds easy to do when it’s being spoken, but putting it into action is so much harder!
Yet I know that if You and Bl. Pro can forgive Your enemies as they were executing You, then I should be able to forgive the minor offenses others inflict on me.
Blessed Miguel Pro, I find it difficult to forgive others sometimes. It is so much easier to hold a grudge. It even feels better to do so sometimes! But I know that true peace comes in being able to let go of anger. Forgiveness is as much about my own peace as my offender’s.
Bl. Pro, can you help me to forgive as you did? Allow me to remember the mercy that has been shown to me and do the same. When I am about to become angry, please help me to instead say a prayer for the person who has wronged me.
I know that I am not perfect and also need to seek forgiveness from others as well. Whenever I am in the wrong, please prompt me to ask for forgiveness, Blessed Miguel Pro.
Please also pray for my intentions:
(State your intentions here)
Vivo Cristo Rey!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Blessed Fr. Miguel Pro Novena - Day 3
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Jesus, as fully human and fully divine, You experienced so many human emotions: love, anger, sadness, fear, and more. You also experienced joy! I would love to see You joyful or even laughing. I hope to experience that with You in heaven someday!
Blessed Pro, you were well-known for your joyful, adventurous spirit as a child. That same playfulness even helped you in adulthood, when you would dress in disguises during religious persecution in your country. In fact, it was your very rambunctious spirit that allowed you to continue your ministry despite this persecution!
Bl. Pro, can you bring some joy into my life? I get so bogged down by responsibilities and worry that I sometimes forget to smile. Help me to enjoy the little moments in life. Without shirking my responsibilities, help me to let go of fear and not be afraid of new adventures. Help me to laugh more, to sing more, and to simply be joyful more.
Please also pray for my intentions:
(State your intentions here)
Vivo Cristo Rey!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Blessed Fr. Miguel Pro Novena - Day 4
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
I know You’ve seen all of time, Lord. You can see the future, too. You’re in control, but I still worry about the state of our world.
It’s not a pleasant time to be a Catholic, Blessed Pro. With the Church’s strong stances on controversial issues and the recent sexual abuse scandals, it’s hard to find anyone who would willingly choose to become Catholic. While I know this isn’t true, it sometimes feels like there’s not much to offer.
I have to imagine that it was also difficult for you to evangelize amidst religious persecution, Blessed Pro. The possibility of getting killed for your faith isn’t a great selling point when it comes to evangelization.
Yet, you didn’t give up the faith and helping others to live it out despite it’s less than stellar reputation, and I don’t want to give up either.
When I am in a situation where I have the opportunity to evangelize, please give me the right words, Blessed Pro. Allow me to be open to the Holy Spirit’s prompting. Place me in situations with people who are curious about and longing for faith. When those moments arise, give me the grace to be a good evangelist and to explain why I am still Catholic despite its unpopularity. Help me to use the goodness of Christ to win over a less than stellar reputation!
Please also keep in mind my other intentions:
(State your intentions here)
Vivo Cristo Rey!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Blessed Fr. Miguel Pro Novena - Day 5
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Jesus, no one has suffered more than You, and certainly not more unjustly! Yet, You dealt with that suffering with such peace and patience. Thank You for suffering on my behalf!
Though not as much as our Lord, you too suffered physically, Blessed Pro. In fact, it was your frequent stomach illnesses that made your superiors agree to send you home to Mexico despite the dangers that awaited you there.
When I am suffering, the last thing I want to do is help people, Blessed Pro. In fact, I tend to just complain about how much I am suffering!
Can you help me to be more patient in suffering? Help me to unite my trials with Christ. Allow me to use my suffering to give glory to God instead of complaining.
I also ask at this time that you intercede on my behalf and on behalf of all of my loved ones who are suffering from illnesses, especially those of the stomach like you suffered from.
Please also keep in mind my intentions:
(State your intentions)
Vivo Cristo Rey!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Blessed Fr. Miguel Pro Novena - Day 6
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Thank You, Lord, for the gift of vocations as a way of serving and loving You!
Blessed Pro, it was your sister’s inspiration that led you to think of your own vocation to the religious life. When she decided to enter the convent, that's when you began to think about the priesthood. Her vocation inspired yours!
Please allow me to do the same in the lives of those around me. Allow the way that I live out my own vocation to inspire others. Help my vocation to point others to Christ in the same way that your sister’s did for you. Allow me to offer up my work as a way of inspiring others. Intercede on my behalf for my own vocation, and help me to accept it willingly and cheerfully. If possible, help my work to inspire a future saint, just like your sister’s did!
Please also intercede on behalf of my other intentions:
(State your intentions here)
Vivo Cristo Rey!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Blessed Fr. Miguel Pro Novena - Day 7
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Jesus, You elevated the priesthood by being one Yourself. You gave our priests such great responsibilities: the ability to forgive sins, administer the sacraments, and most importantly, provide us with Your Body and Blood.
Blessed Pro, your priesthood could not have been easy. Despite the usual struggles, you were also sick and on the run constantly for being a priest. The priestly collar was such a target that you often resorted to disguises to administer the sacraments.
Blessed Pro, please keep priests from all harm. Change the hearts of those who target and attack priests. Please especially shield them from Satan. When they are tempted, please give them mentors and guides to help them. Fill them with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Allow them to be met with gratitude by their congregations!
I also ask that you open more men’s hearts to the priesthood. Help me to always foster vocations. Remind me to say thank you to my priests!
Please also keep in mind my intentions:
(State your intentions here)
Vivo Cristo Rey!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Blessed Fr. Miguel Pro Novena - Day 8
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Lord, You appreciate all sacrifice, but I have to believe the sacrifice of martyrs must be particularly meaningful to You. Thank you for the example that martyrs give us.
Blessed Pro, you never abandoned your faith despite being wrongly imprisoned and killed. In fact, you knew that this would probably be the result of your ministry and did it anyway. Even at your execution, you were more concerned with praising God and forgiving your killers than your own safety.
And yet I am sometimes afraid to even say I am a Christian in public just for fear of ridicule or embarrassment!
Blessed Pro, help me to become more brave in my faith. When I am faced with an awkward situation, allow me to be courageous instead of weak. Help me to make use of every opportunity to evangelize, even if it scares me. Free me from my fear. Fill me with the virtues of perseverance, fortitude, and courage in my faith!
While I ask for your intercession that I am never in this situation, please allow me to be strong enough to give my life for my faith if it is required of me.
I also ask that you keep in mind my intentions:
(State your intentions here)
Vivo Cristo Rey!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Blessed Fr. Miguel Pro Novena - Day 9
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Lord, I know You hear and answer all of my prayers whether they are said privately or publicly. Thank You though for the gift of this community to pray with!
Blessed Pro, thank you for the example of your life! Your excitement and joy in the faith is inspiring. Additionally, the manner of your sacrificial death and forgiving nature lead me to cry along with you “Vivo Cristo Rey!”
Please hear the prayers of all those who have prayed this novena along with me, Blessed Pro. Intercede for us before God. Present him with all of the intentions we’ve brought in our hearts to this novena, especially:
(State your intentions here)
Thank you for your inspiration and intercession, Blessed Pro!
Vivo Cristo Rey!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.