The relics of 36 Mexican Martyrs from the Cristero War (1926) will visit the Archdiocese of Los Angeles for the “Celebrating 100 Years of Faith and Action” Congress. The free one-day celebration will take place at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels on Saturday, April 18, 2026 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. This special event is a culmination of a year-long initiative which hosted Regional Congresses throughout the Archdiocese celebrating the Centennial of the Mexican Martyrs by raising awareness among our faithful about the important historic events that contributed to the faith of many of our immigrant families in and around Los Angeles.

All are invited to take part in the Congress to reflect on the persecution of Catholics during the Cristero War in Mexico and the impact of these events on our Church today. Participants will be able to venerate the relics of the 36 Mexican Martyrs including St. Toribio Romo and St. José Sánchez del Río.

The special visit of the relics also celebrates the support and refuge that the Archdiocese of Los Angeles gave to the thousands of faithful who fled the persecution of Catholics in Mexico during the Cristero War. The Archbishop of Mexico City in 1941 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. The relic is enshrined for veneration in the Cathedral and will be a part of the reflections during the Congress.

The congress will feature speakers in both English and Spanish including renowned experts Dr. Jean Meyer, Dr. Julia Young, Mtro. Francisco Sanchez and Fr. Rafael Becerra. Holy Mass will be celebrated by Archbishop José Gomez.

This is a free event sponsored by Haciendo Caminos and St. John Seminary. Lunch will be available for purchase at the Galero Grill on the Cathedral Plaza. Parking will be available in the Cathedral parking structure for $12 (flat rate). Please find the full schedule for the day below and the flyer attached. Call 323-268-9176 with any questions.

Thank you for spreading the word about this event in your parishes, schools and ministries.

May “the blood of martyrs” continue to be “the seed of Christians!”

“Celebrating 100 Years of Faith and Action” Congress Program:

8:30 am: Registration
9:00 am: Opening prayer, welcome and orientation by Fr. Miguel Ángel Ruiz
9:30 am: First Talk
Spanish: Dr. Jean Meyer: “Cristiada 100 años de fe y heroísmo”
English: Dr. Julia Young
10:30 am: Break for Relic Veneration
11:00 am: Holy Mass, Presided by Archbishop José H. Gomez
12:00 pm: Lunch (available for purchase at the Gallero Grill on the Cathedral Plaza)
1:30 pm: Second Talk
Español: Mtro. Francisco Sánchez: “La Memoria Cristera: memoria fecunda para la Iglesia”
English: Fr. Rafael Becerra: “100 years of Christian Boldness”
2:30 pm: Break for Relic Veneration
3:00 pm: Panel discussion moderated by Fr. Miguel Ángel Ruiz
4-5:00 pm: Relic Veneration