100 Years Later, Cristero Martyrs Remembered During LA Relic Visit

On Saturday, April 18, 2026, the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles hosted a special one-day congress to mark the centennial of the Cristero War in Mexico. The event, titled “Celebrating 100 Years of Faith and Action,” featured the veneration of relics from 36 Mexican Martyrs of the conflict, drawing hundreds of faithful from across the Archdiocese.

The free celebration, held from 8:30 a.m. To 5 p.m., included expert talks, a Mass celebrated by Archbishop José H. Gomez, and an afternoon panel discussion. Attendees had the opportunity to reflect on the persecution of Catholics during the Cristero War (1926–1929) and its lasting impact on the Church today.

The relics on display included those of St. Toribio Romo and St. José Sánchez del Río. The event also highlighted the historical connection between the Archdioceses of Los Angeles and Mexico City, noting that in 1941, the Archbishop of Mexico City gifted a relic of the Tilma of St. Juan Diego—where the miraculous image of Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared—to the Archbishop of Los Angeles as a symbol of fraternity and gratitude. This relic remains enshrined in the Cathedral and was part of the reflections during the congress.

Speakers at the event included renowned experts Dr. Jean Meyer, Dr. Julia Young, Mtro. Francisco Sanchez, and Fr. Rafael Becerra, who presented in both English and Spanish. The congress was sponsored by Haciendo Caminos and St. John Seminary, with lunch available for purchase at the Galero Grill on the Cathedral Plaza.

For many attendees, the visit was deeply personal. Kathleen Orosco of St. Mary of the Assumption Church in Whittier shared that her great-grandfather lived through the Cristiada, recalling how he once carried her grandfather on horseback to escape federal soldiers. She said visiting the relics made her emotional, knowing people gave their lives for Christ.

Maria, originally from Guadalajara, expressed similar sentiments, describing the Cristeros as simple ranchers with strong faith who died for their beliefs. “I’ve always found that very gorgeous,” she said, noting she grew up hearing these stories from her grandmother.

The one-day congress was part of a broader initiative that hosted regional congresses throughout the Archdiocese over the past year, aiming to raise awareness about the Cristero War and its influence on immigrant families in and around Los Angeles. The relics had been visiting several parishes in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and the Diocese of Orange in the weeks leading up to the event.

As the Archdiocese continues to honor this century-old legacy, the celebration served as both a historical remembrance and a living testament to the enduring faith of the Catholic community.