Margarito Flores (1899–1927)

Biography

He was ordained a priest in 1924 and, as he was a very good student, his first assignment was as a professor at the same seminary in Chilapa. He was highly esteemed among his colleagues and students for his caring and kind, helpful and humble way of being. While he was vicar in Chilpancingo, Guerrero, federal troops broke in with the intention of destroying all traces of Christianity, starting with the priests. Margarito escaped to the mountains and after much work and hardship, managed to reach the capital of the country. He was arrested and taken to prison, from where he was released under the influence of some friends. He decided to return to Chilapa when he learned of the martyrdom of Father David Uribe. The example of this young priest pushed him to offer himself unconditionally to his bishop in Chilapa, where he knew that he would surely be arrested and led to martyrdom. He was assigned to the parish of Atenango del Río, where the authorities had threatened that they would kill the priest who was sent to that parish. Indeed, government agents soon located him, took him to the Tulimán prison, and without further ado, executed him behind the parish temple, without Margarito allowing them to blindfold him. The body was thrown into a common grave. When, months later, his remains were exhumed, they could see that fresh blood flowed, his remains are venerated in the parish of Taxco. He was canonized by John Paul II on May 21, 2000.