Catholic rights soldier dies at 103-years-old
FREE Catholic Classes
The last known surviving soldier of the Cristero War, Juan Daniel MacĂas Villegas, died last month in his home town of San Julián, Mexico. He was 103 years old.
Highlights
Catholic Online (https://www.catholic.org)
3/13/2016 (9 years ago)
Published in Living Faith
Keywords: Cristero War, Catholic, Alejandro Moreno Merino, Juan Daniel MacÃas Villegas, church
Mexico City, Mexico (CNA/EWTN News) - Mexican photojournalist Alejandro Moreno Merino told CNA that the funeral rites for MacĂas took place at San JosĂ© church, with his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren in attendance.
The attendees walked in procession almost two miles to the cemetery next to the "Cristero National Guard," a Catholic organization that seeks to preserve the memory of the martyrs who died during the religious persecution in Mexico in the early 20th century.
Mexico's Cristero War was sparked by anti-clerical legislation being passed by the Mexican President ElĂas Calles in 1926.
The laws banned religious orders, deprived the Church of property rights and denied priests civil liberties, including the right to trial by jury and the right to vote.
As the restrictions on religious liberty increased, Catholics could be fined or imprisoned for teaching Church doctrine, wearing clerical attire, meeting together after their convents were disbanded, promoting religious life or holding religious services in non-church locations.The persecution became so fierce that thousands of Catholics began to forcibly resist, fighting under the slogan and banner of "Cristo Rey" (Christ the King).
MacĂas was among those who fought the persecution. Born on July 21, 1912 in a town called Rancho de los Palos Verdes, he was baptized by a priest named Father Narciso Elizondo, the same one who years later blessed him when he took up arms.
When he was 13 years old, he started to fight with the "Cristeros" under the famed General Victoriano RamĂrez and was part of his squadron called "the Dragons of El Catorce." He took part in various campaigns in the Jalisco and Guanajuato highlands area, and in the second Cristero campaign (1935-1937) under the command of Lauro Rocha.
After the war, MacĂas lived in the rural community of San Julián until the day he died. This area produces milk and raises cattle, and also was the first town to take up arms on January 1, 1927 against the repressive government laws of that time.
---
'Help Give every Student and Teacher FREE resources for a world-class Moral Catholic Education'
Copyright 2021 - Distributed by Catholic Online
Join the Movement
When you sign up below, you don't just join an email list - you're joining an entire movement for Free world class Catholic education.
-
- Easter / Lent
- Ascension Day
- 7 Morning Prayers
- Mysteries of the Rosary
- Litany of the Bl. Virgin Mary
- Popular Saints
- Popular Prayers
- Female Saints
- Saint Feast Days by Month
- Stations of the Cross
- St. Francis of Assisi
- St. Michael the Archangel
- The Apostles' Creed
- Unfailing Prayer to St. Anthony
- Pray the Rosary

Saint Junípero Serra: Apostle of California and Model of Missionary Zeal

Freedom Rooted in Faith: Simple Ways to Let Christ Illuminate Your Fourth of July

Catholic Online AI Open Letter
Daily Catholic
Daily Readings for Wednesday, July 02, 2025
St. Bernardino Realino: Saint of the Day for Wednesday, July 02, 2025
Prayer for Employment: Prayer of the Day for Wednesday, July 02, 2025
Daily Readings for Tuesday, July 01, 2025
St. Junipero Serra: Saint of the Day for Tuesday, July 01, 2025
- Prayer of the Chalice: Prayer of the Day for Tuesday, July 01, 2025
Copyright 2025 Catholic Online. All materials contained on this site, whether written, audible or visual are the exclusive property of Catholic Online and are protected under U.S. and International copyright laws, © Copyright 2025 Catholic Online. Any unauthorized use, without prior written consent of Catholic Online is strictly forbidden and prohibited.
Catholic Online is a Project of Your Catholic Voice Foundation, a Not-for-Profit Corporation. Your Catholic Voice Foundation has been granted a recognition of tax exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Federal Tax Identification Number: 81-0596847. Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law.