Saint Sabas Reyes Salazar

Biography

Saint Sabas Reyes Salazar, born on 5 December 1883 in Cocula, Jalisco, Mexico, was a devout Catholic priest and martyr of the Mexican Revolution. Growing up in a deeply religious family, he felt a strong calling to serve God and entered the seminary in Guadalajara, Mexico.

After completing his studies, Sabas Reyes Salazar was ordained in the Diocese of Taumalipas, Mexico in 1911. He began his priestly ministry in various parishes in the town of Guadalupe, where he dedicated himself to teaching the faith, spiritual guidance, and the celebration of the sacraments.

During the time of the Mexican Revolution, which brought about significant political and social unrest, the government targeted the Catholic Church and its priests. Recognizing the danger, Father Sabas was sent to Tototl√°n, Mexico, seeking refuge from the government's persecution.

In January 1927, government troops seized the church in Tototl√°n, desecrating holy images, burning statues, and even converting the sacred space into a stable for their horses. Despite the pleas of his parishioners to escape, Father Sabas believed that God had placed him there for a reason. He encouraged his community to pray fervently for divine intervention and protection against the soldiers' hostility.

On 11 April 1927, as Father Sabas concluded a baptism in a private home, federal troops stormed in to arrest him. Over the next two days, he endured brutal torture, suffering beatings, burns, and unimaginable agony inflicted by his captors. The soldiers hoped to extract information about the whereabouts of other priests, but Father Sabas remained steadfast, refusing to disclose any details.

Finally, at 9 pm on 13 April 1927, Father Sabas Reyes Salazar was tragically shot in a cemetery just outside Tototl√°n, Jalisco, Mexico. He died as a martyr for the Catholic faith, steadfastly refusing to betray his fellow priests and remaining faithful to his calling until the very end.

Recognizing his heroic virtue and unwavering commitment to God, Saint Sabas Reyes Salazar was venerated on 7 March 1992 by Pope John Paul II, who approved the decree of his martyrdom. Later that same year, on 22 November, Pope John Paul II beatified him, acknowledging his sanctity and the example he provided for the faithful.

Finally, during the Jubilee of Mexico on 21 May 2000, Pope John Paul II canonized Saint Sabas Reyes Salazar, declaring him a saint of the Catholic Church. His feast day is celebrated on 13 April, and he is also honored on 21 May as one of the Martyrs of the Mexican Revolution.

Saint Sabas Reyes Salazar serves as an inspiration to all believers, showcasing great courage and a willingness to endure suffering for the sake of their faith. His life and martyrdom remind us of the timeless importance of unwavering devotion to God, even in the face of adversity.