May 21 - Christophe Magallanes Jara was born in Totatiche, Jalisco, Mexico, on July 30, 1869. He was the son of Rafael Magallanes Romero and Clara Jara Sanchez, who were farmers. He worked as a shepherd in his youth and enrolled in the San José Conciliar Seminary in Guadalajara at the age of 19.

He was ordained at the age of 30 at Santa Teresa in Guadalajara in 1899 and was chaplain of the School of Arts and Works of the Holy Spirit in Guadalajara. He was later appointed parish priest in his native town of Totatiche, where he helped found schools and carpentry workshops and assisted in the planning of hydrological works, including the La Candelaria dam. He was particularly interested in the evangelization of the local indigenous Huichol people and was instrumental in founding the mission in the indigenous town of Azqueltán.

When government decrees closed the seminary in Guadalajara in 1914, Christophe Magallanes proposed to open a clandestine seminary in his parish. In July 1915, he opened the auxiliary seminary of Totatiche, which had 17 students and was recognized by the Archbishop of Guadalajara, José Francisco Orozco y Jiménez, the following year, who appointed a preceptor and two professors to the seminary.

Christopher wrote and preached against the armed rebellion, but was falsely accused of promoting the Cristero rebellion in the region. Arrested on May 21, 1927, as he was on his way to celebrate Mass in a farmhouse, he gave his few remaining possessions to his executioners, gave them absolution, and without trial, he was killed four days later with Saint Agustín Caloca in Colotlán, Jalisco. His last words to his executioners were: "I die innocent and I ask God that my blood may serve to unite my Mexican brothers". He was succeeded as parish priest of Totatiche by Father José Pilar Quezada Valdés, who became the first bishop of the Archdiocese of Acapulco

Diocese of Miarinarivo

Pope Francis has accepted the renunciation of the pastoral government of the Diocese of Miarinarivo, presented by H.E. Mgr Jean Claude Randrianarisoa. At the same time, the Supreme Pontiff has appointed H.E. Mgr Marie Fabien Raharilamboniaina, as Apostolic Admnistrator sede vacante et ad nutum Sanctae Sedis of the same Diocese.

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Love and Salvation

Christmas is a great joy, because it is the love of God that has come to us, proclaims Fr. Bizimana Innocent, Provincial Superior of the Salesians Don Bosco of Madagascar and Mauritius, presenting his Christmas greetings. Salvation is accomplished, so life is not in danger of disappearing. It is this love and this salvation that we wish to fill our life so that we have peace.

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Zatti, our brother

The short film "Zatti, our brother" (Argentina, 2020) focuses on one of the most difficult episodes of his life. We are in Viedma, in 1941: at the age of 60, Zatti is forced to leave the hospital he has attended for decades. His faith and strength are tested.

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