St. Jesús Méndez-Montoya
Musical Mexican Martyr (1880 – 1928)
Patronage Mexico and Music
Feast Day May 21 (with the Mexican Martyrs)
Fun Fact
During the Mexican Christian persecution, Fr. Méndez served his people secretly. He taught the faith and music to the people. Music was so important to him that he was able to get a choir together to make the mass celebrations livelier.
Prayer
Saint Jesus Méndez, intercede to the Holy Ghost that I may find joy in music and my God-given gifts despite when I feel down.
Amen.
Biography
Jesus Mendez Montoya was born in Tarímbaro, Michoacán, Mexico June 10, 1880. He was a priest in the diocese of Merelia, Mexico. He was devoted to his people, and he spent hours, long hours hearing confessions from his people.
Fr. Jesus lived with the workers and poor peasants in the villages. He was a musician and directed a choir together to make the Sunday mass livelier. Life was full of joy, but the government began persecuting Christians during the time of the Mexican revolution.
He devoutly taught Catechism and the Catholic faith until his last breath. On February 5, 1928, Fr. Jesus was found hiding in one of the villages by the authorities. He requested to consume all the Eucharist hosts before the ceased him, and they allowed it.
He turned to one of the sisters saying, “It is the will of God. Let his will be done.” The soldiers brought him out and executed him, shooting him three times. He died a martyr of faith.
Sources
https://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/saints/ns_lit_doc_20000521_mendez-montoya_sp.html
https://catholic.net/op/articles/2107/cat/1205/st-jesus-mendez-montoya.html
https://catholicsaints.info/saint-jesus-mendez-montoya/