In the 1924s, Mexico experienced an incandescent political climate, with constant changes of government. Until XNUMX, the head of government was General Alvaro Obregón. He shows himself tolerant towards the Church, which can thus sow the seeds of a valid evangelization and, in response to the desire of Pius XI, Catholic Action is born.
In 1924, however, Plutarco Elias Calles assumed power and resumed the persecution against the Church.
In 1926, Pius XI with his father's letter Sane solicitudo, hoped for the promotion of CA throughout Mexico, but precisely in July 1926 the Calles law on persecution became harsher.
The Mexican bishops, having consulted the Holy See, decide to close the churches and to suspend the acts of worship throughout the nation. The people, however, disagree. Groups of volunteers fight against the regime, founding two organizations: a civic one, the National League in Defense of Religious Freedom which, by peaceful means, seeks to obtain the abolition of anti-ecclesiastical laws; the other military, the Cristeros.
Meanwhile, almost all bishops are exiled. The young men and women of Ac, despite persecution, work to the cry of: «Long live Christ the King!».
The civil war lasts three years, with a death toll of between seventy and eighty-five thousand. Thanks to the mediation of the United States ambassador, Morrow, an agreement was reached in June 1929 which would bring peace and allow the official creation of the Mexican CA in December 1929.
There are many martyrs of this persecution, including many lay people of Ac, three of whom were canonized by John Paul II on May 21, 2000: Manuel Morales, Salvador Lara Puente and David Roldán Lara with their parish priest and assistant Father Luis Batìz Sainz.
Salvador Lara Bridge
Orphaned of a father, Salvador was educated by his mother in the Catholic faith. He loves sports, but in his spare time from his job as an employee in a mining company, he also dedicates himself to the apostolate as a militant in the Catholic Action of Mexican Youth.
When the soldiers arrive to arrest him, together with Manuel he sets off, with his companion and cousin David, to the place indicated for his shooting. They know that the parish priest and his friend, Manuel Morales, have been shot.
As he prays in a low voice, he is hit by a rifle shot that kills him.
«Let's not say that today it is more difficult;
it's different. Let's learn rather
by the saints who have gone before us
and they faced the difficulties
characteristic of their era".