Pilgrimage of Mexican martyrs' relics said to help evangelize

Published: 2006-08-18

BROOKLYN, N.Y. (CNS) -- The relics of six Mexican martyrs that traveled this year to a number of U.S. cities under the auspices of the Knights of Columbus provided an opportunity to evangelize Hispanics and teach Catholics about a period in Mexico's history when people of faith were persecuted, according to church officials. A silver cross containing the relics of six of the 25 Mexican martyrs canonized by Pope John Paul II in 2000 began its pilgrimage in Mexico City in September 2005 to mark the centennial of the Knights of Columbus in Mexico. The relics' final destination was Orlando, Fla., at the Knights' convention in early August. One of the last stops before that was St. Joseph Patron of the Universal Church Parish in Brooklyn July 29 and St. Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan July 30. Father Mariano Cisco, pastor of St. Joseph, a Mexican parish, said venerating the relics "was a way for our parishioners to find their roots and the people who gave their life for the Catholic faith to live in Mexico and worship there."

Copyright (c) 2006 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .