By Andy Sparke
Catholic News Service

EL PASO, Texas (CNS) -- A relic of Mexican martyr St. Pedro de Jesus Maldonado was welcomed by the Diocese of El Paso March 25, much as the young Pedro Maldonado was welcomed by the diocese for his ordination to the priesthood in 1918.

Ordained in El Paso's St. Patrick Cathedral that year, Father Maldonado and 24 other Mexicans martyred during the persecution of the church in Mexico in the 1920s and '30s were canonized by Pope John Paul II in 2000.

The relics of Father Maldonado, also called San Pedro, and five other priests among the Mexican martyrs began a tour of the United States in March under the sponsorship of the Knights of Columbus. All six had been members of the Knights of Columbus.

"Because of San Pedro's unique ties to El Paso, his relics are being welcomed at St. Patrick Cathedral in remembrance of the welcome that was given to San Pedro by the El Paso community when he was forced to flee his home country many years ago," El Paso Bishop Armando X. Ochoa said at a press conference held at the offices of the diocese's Migrant and Refugee Services.

"Just as the sacrifices made by the Mexican martyrs and San Pedro must never be forgotten," Bishop Ochoa said, "neither must our community's and our country's rich heritage of welcoming those seeking shelter and protection, regardless of their origin."

Linking the story of Father Maldonado with current efforts to reform U.S. immigration policy, Bishop Ochoa said that "based upon the social teachings of the church," the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops had begun the Justice for Immigrants: A Journey of Hope campaign.

In their pursuit of "a conversion of hearts and minds, resulting in Christian attitudes toward immigrants and the divisive issue of migration," Bishop Ochoa said, "the bishops are calling for comprehensive immigration reform, which would entail changing U.S. laws and policies to reflect the principles contained in Scripture and Catholic social teaching and to bring about a more humane and just immigration system in the United States."

Following the press conference, Bishop Ochoa led a procession with the relics of the Mexican martyrs -- Sts. Luis Batis Sainz, Jose Maria Robles Hurtado, Mateo Correa Megallanes, Miguel de la Mora de la Mora, Rodrigo Aguilar Aleman and Father Maldonado -- from El Paso's Cathedral High School to St. Patrick Cathedral where Father Maldonado was ordained by Bishop Anthony Schuler Jan. 25, 1918.

The saint offered his first Mass at the cathedral Feb. 11, 1918. Recalling the history of Mexico's repression of the Catholic Church following the revolution of 1910, Bishop Ochoa noted that by 1917 "hundreds of members of the religious community had been forced to flee or had been forcefully expelled from Mexico."

Many fled to El Paso, the bishop said. "Our city welcomed them, and many new seminaries and monasteries, many of which still exist today, were founded here as a result."

As Father Maldonado ministered to the faithful in the Mexican state of Chihuahua during the persecution, "he regularly celebrated night Masses, performing marriages and baptisms and administering other sacraments," Bishop Ochoa said.

On Ash Wednesday in 1937 Father Maldonado was arrested. "The mayor and soldiers of Santa Isabel, Chihuahua, arrested San Pedro for defying the government's ban on hidden religious celebrations," Bishop Ochoa said. "San Pedro was so severely beaten that his skull collapsed and an eye was forced from its socket. He died the next day."

A shrine to Father Maldonado was erected in St. Patrick Cathedral last year.

Commenting on his own family's journey from Mexico to the United States, Bishop Ochoa said, "Looking back through the years gives us bragging rights, so to speak. My own family had to flee from Mexico and start a new life in El Paso. Little did any of us foresee I would be here on the border years later after serving in California."

In a news release, Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson said "this pilgrimage seeks to promote knowledge of and devotion to the Knights of Columbus priest-martyrs of Mexico and all those who sacrificed their lives for their faith during the Mexican persecution."

Copyright (c) 2006 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops