San Carajulian Bendito

Often referred to as Mexico's "Forgotten Revolution," the War of the Cristeros, or Christiada, began before and ended after the bulk of Spanish and English language online postings would lead you to believe. Furthermore, these postings have forgotten, that the northern states also participated, otherwise, how else did Texas rangers and members of the KKK enter Mexico to fight the Catholic Church? (Note that these same online postings agree that members of these American groups did participate in this Revolution). In addition, several Spanish language postings (from Mexico and Spain) mention the fact that a group of Catholic women organized as "Feminine Brigades of Sainte Joan of Arc" and known to the Cristero men as BB's for Brigadas Bonitas, and provided many services to the cause, including taking money to the US to purchase weapons and ammunition. Both English and Spanish versions of the War of the Cristeros, or Christiada, coincide in that it started with the election to the Mexican presidency of Plutarco Elias Calles. However, in some Spanish versions, you can find brief mentions of the fact that before becoming, President Elias Calles he was the Governor of the northern state of Sonora. And those that mention this fact, also mention that during his administration as Governor, he treated the Catholics of Sonora with the same brutality as he did all "Cristeros" in all of Mexico while president. In addition to the author's family stories, San Carajulian Bendito blends popular stories such as the poem Mi Chacha Micaila of unknown author and a story line that could very well turn a young man into a "pelon" killing machine. While the Corrido (popular music genre among the disenfranchised in Mexico), "El Moro de Cumpas" depicts an event of the 1950's, it's indirect mention in San Carajulian Bendito is included to refer to the birthplace of Plutarco Elias Calles in Agua Prieta, Sonora. The movie For Greater Glory views this revolution from the eyes of the rich Catholics in Mexico, San Carajulian Bendito, views it from the poor fighting it and who showed their love of church by wearing a small, cloth scapular instead of the gold studded cross in the movie, and whose battle cry was and continued to be until my youth: Viva Cristo Rey, Viva la Virgen de Guadalupe, Viva Mexico! (If you pay attention, the aforementioned movie does show one or two horse soldiers wearing large scapulars).