Relics of Cristero Martyrs - Christ the King

Above, relics on display at All Saints Parish and Gehlen Catholic School in Le Mars. They were on display from Oct. 22 to 27.

Cristeros

Saints with the rally cry "Long live Christ the King" or "Viva Cristo Rey" were priests in Mexico who were cruelly put to death by the government. The government felt the Catholic Church had too much power. 

Pope Pius XI established the Feast of Christ the King in 1925 in response to tyrannies emerging around the world.

Pope John Paul II canonized a group of 25 martyrs who were executed by federal forces. May 21 is the feast day of the Cristero Martyrs.

Christ the King Parish in Sioux Center will house relics from four saints from the state of Jalisco, Mexico, in their new altar when it arrives.  Many Mexican-American Catholics in the Diocese of Sioux City have roots in Jalisco.

Until the dedication of the new altar, the relics will be on display in various locations in Iowa and the diocese for education and veneration.

Click the button below for the stories in Spanish and English of the martyrs whose relics will be encased in the new altar at Christ the King/Cristo Rey Parish in Sioux Center.
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- St. Jose Maria Robles Hurtado
- St. Jenaro Sanchez Delgadillo
- St. Atilano Cruz Alvarado
- St. Pedro Esqueda Ramirez

Cristero Martyrs

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Relic display schedule Fall 2021 (tentative)

October 22 – Wednesday October 27.
 All Saints Parish & Gehlen Catholic School. 
 
Wednesday, October 27th – Youth Mass 7 pm at Sioux Center 
 
October 29 – Nov 1st.
Fr. Shane Deman will care for the relics and bring to the State of Iowa “Thinking of Priesthood” retreat in Ames, IA. 

 
Monday, Nov. 1 - StM, Rock Valley – relics are displayed for veneration during All Saints Mass 
 
Tuesday, Nov. 2 - CtK – Relics are displayed for veneration at Christ the King. All Soul’s Day Mass. KofC Council 13000 may be present. 
 
Wednesday, Nov. 3 – 8th grade teaching Mass 
 
Sunday, Nov. 7 - at St. Anthony, Hospers (Knights of Columbus Memorial Mass 8am followed by pancake breakfast)
 
Monday, Nov. 8 

• Relics displayed at Christ the King, Deanery Holy Hour
• Mass & veneration of relics at St. Mary Hawarden, hosted by KofC.

 
Wednesday, Nov. 10 – relics present CtK Church for veneration during 6 pm Mass and after

• talk to 7th & 9th graders before confession 

 
Sunday, Nov. 14th - West Bend 

• Sunday afternoon – evening displayed in the church for veneration. TBD evening prayer experience
• Nov. 15 displayed in the Garrigan Chapel for veneration.

 
Remainder of the schedule is TBA until they reach their final home in Sioux Center at Christ the King.