Biography

Rafael Guízar y Valencia was born in Cotija, Michoacán, Mexico on April 26, 1878. He was one of 12 children. His mother died when he was just nine years old. Early in his teen years he had a mystical vision. The vision of Jesus came to him while he was sitting on his family’s property watching a particularly violent thunderstorm — he claimed to see the Lord among the swirling storm clouds. This apparition scared Rafael so he ran to the chapel located on his family’s property to seek shelter from the storm. The chapel was dedicated to the Virgin of San Juan de los Lagos and, while kneeling in prayer there, he experienced a second vision. The statue of Mary inside the chapel became luminous and emitted a bright light that engulfed the young man. According to Rafael, this was when he decided to devote his life to God and become a priest.
 
After studying with the Jesuits, Rafael was ordained on June 6, 1901, at the age of 23. At that time, Mexico’s revolution was spreading fear and persecution to Christians across the nation. Despite the growing conflict, though, in his early years, Father Guízar embarked on countless apostolic missions to serve those in need across Mexico. During his early priesthood he used his own family’s riches to establish schools and colleges for underprivileged youth. In 1903, he also established the Congregation of Missionaries of Our Lady of Hope, a religious community.
 
By 1910 the Mexican revolution was in full swing, pressing down upon Fr. Guízar and his ministries. To adapt to the dangerous climate, he continued his ministry by serving the Catholic soldiers of the revolution army, often needing to disguise himself as a junk dealer, doctor, or a musician in order to travel safely from place to place. A talented musician who started a musical group in seminary called “Los Gallos Misticos,” or “The Mystical Roosters,” he narrowly escaped death by firing squad after being captured by the government by claiming to be a poor musician. When asked to prove it and given an accordion, he filled the jail with Mexican folk songs, delighting his captors. They believed his story and released him.
 
After his release, he escaped to Texas but had to keep moving due to the Mexican government’s continued pursuit of him. He spent time as an exile in the U.S., Guatemala, Columbia, and Havana, Cuba. Everywhere he lived he set up missions of service. After nine years of escaping the war, he was named Bishop of Veracruz and called back to Mexico. He immediately set to work helping the people of Veracruz through the aftermath of an earthquake that devastated the region and would often travel on foot and by donkey to reach the most remote people in his jurisdiction.
 
During the late 1920’s another conflict, the Cristero Rebellion caused more problems for Bishop Guízar and he had to, again, escape persecution by the State. Priests were, for years, prohibited from celebrating Mass and Catholics were, again, persecuted. Throughout the years however, he continued to defy authority and practice his faith, constantly serving those in need despite the threat of harm to himself due to his position as a bishop. He was continually captured and released and worked through the continued persecution, running a seminary of 300 men and continuing his ministries to the poor. He defiantly stood up to injustice until his death from a heart attack on June 6, 1938. He was canonized by Pope Benedict XVI in 2006.

Prayer

Our Lord and God, In Saint Rafael Guízar You have given us a model of a shepherd for the children, the poor, the sick, and those far from You. Grant us through his intercession that we may live united in our families; that the Mexican nation may have peace and harmony; that the sick who live in our homes be lovingly cared for and receive healing from their diseases; that marriages that have been broken find a reason to fight and overcome the evil that stalks them.
 
Attend to our supplications and hear our needs so that one day, like Saint Rafael Guízar, we can all contemplate the beauty of Your glory in eternity.
 
We ask you through your Son Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You, in the unity of the Holy Spirit and God the father, for ever and ever.
Amen.