When the persecution laws came into force on August 10, 1926, the dispersion of the clergy began. […] Once public worship was closed, private service to the faithful required superhuman efforts from the few priests who remained at their posts. Baptisms, Communions, Extreme Unctions and even Marriages were continually requested, and had to be administered under strict precaution, always with the fear of some denunciation or a sudden appearance of the police. […]
When the first martyrs of Christ the King began to fall, [Fr. Pro] wrote to a friend: “Ah, were I to win the lottery prize!”, referring to his own martyrdom. […]
In the early hours of November 18, in a large police raid, the arrest was made [of Fr. Pro and two of his brothers]. […]
Among other testimonies regarding Fr. Miguel’s last days, is that of his brother Roberto, his cellmate. […]
As the priest left his subterranean cell to be shot, one of the police officers who had imprisoned him approached him and asked his forgiveness. The priest replied: “Not only do I forgive you, but I also thank you.” […]
As he became aware of the situation, Fr. Miguel remained serene, with great tranquillity. The leader of the firing squad went up to him and asked him if he had any request to make. The priest replied that he asked permission to pray; he knelt down, and took the rosary and a crucifix from his pocket, which he kissed; He remained in prayer for a few moments, raising his eyes to the sky. He then stood up, turned to the execution squad, kissed the crucifix that was in his right hand, with the rosary still in his left; he raised his arms in the form of a cross, and at the same time he cried out:
“Long live… [Christ the King]!”
And he fell, struck by the discharge. […]
Witnesses highlighted the virile, modest and resigned character, filled with vitality, with which he suffered martyrdom. He did not show the least anger, even when he realized they were going to kill him. His devout attitude is forever engraved in the photographs of his martyrdom. One of the soldiers declared: “He stood up to be shot with a verve that left everyone moved.”
MENDOZA DELGADO, Enrique.
Miguel Agustín Pro. In: Verbo. Madrid.
Year XXVII. N.269-270 (Nov.-Dec., 1988),
p.1179-1191
