Rev. James D. Conley, D.D., S.T.L. | Diocese of Lincoln website

A priest from the Diocese of San Antonio visited Lincoln on October 9 to share the story of Blessed Anacleto Gonzalez Flores, a Mexican layman martyred in 1927 during the Cristero War. The visit was organized by Sarah and Richard Wurtz, who invited Father Rafail Becerra to meet with Bishop James Conley and attend a play about Bl. Anacleto written by Sarah Wurtz.

During his time in Lincoln, Father Becerra met with Bishop Conley for about 30 minutes, sharing a first-class relic of Bl. Anacleto—a fragment of bone—and presenting a book he wrote about the martyr. He explained how he obtained the relic after searching through storage in Guadalajara, despite being told there were no more available: “He said, ‘I want you to promote it, not to keep it for you, but promote it.’ I said, ‘Absolutely. I will do it. It is my passion. I will do it.’ So, I’m trying to do that,” Father Becerra said.

Bl. Anacleto Gonzalez Flores became known for his nonviolent opposition to government persecution of Catholics in Mexico. He was eventually arrested and executed by firing squad in Guadalajara. His last words—“I die, but God does not die”—became significant for those fighting for religious freedom.

Father Becerra described Bl. Anacleto’s message as one focused on faith beyond individual leaders: “Imagine that if he was a leader, what will those who were followers of him say? Our leader is dead. There is no more need for fighting. But he was telling them, ‘this is not about me. This about Christ the King. If I die, it doesn’t matter. You need to continue this movement of defending religious freedom.’”

After meeting with Bishop Conley and celebrating Mass at St. Michael Church, Father Becerra attended an evening performance of Sarah Wurtz’s play at the Wurtzes’ home theater as part of Southwell Theater—a group comprised mainly of homeschool high school and middle school students along with participants from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Newman Center.

Sarah Wurtz explained that she chose to revive her play this year in honor of her sister-in-law Theresa Northway who died from lung cancer: “She was diagnosed in May of 2024 and at that time, we began a widespread prayer to Bl. Anacleto for her cure, but also for her return to her Catholic faith,” Sarah said. “And towards the end of her life, she asked for confession and the sacraments. I believe that was through the intercession of Bl. Anacleto.”

Reflecting on these events’ impact on her own beliefs, Sarah added: “It makes it a very real and concrete reminder that these saints are very much there for us to reach out to,” she said.“They’re very active in our lives.If you reach out to them and beg for their intercession, they’re ready for us.And it’s a reminder that we can go to Jesus through them.That they’re very powerful.”

Father Becerra spoke about continued challenges faced by Catholics today: “When a Catholic student goes to the university and (he or she) said a baby is a baby since conception until the end of his natural death; he or she will be persecuted in the university,” he said.“When we Catholics (say) marriage is just between a man and woman,we are persecuted because of saying that.In saying you should love your enemies there is persecution.”

He also emphasized ongoing courage among believers: “The issue is not that there are threats against Catholics.The issue is there are many brave men and women open to (giving) their lives in defending the faith.”

Summing up Bl.Anacleto’s legacy,Father Becerra noted three guiding principles:“Unity organization and action.By loving God with all your heart without measure.By loving our Mother Virgin Mary Our Lady of Guadalupe with all your heart…We cannot be Catholics just praying inside our houses.We need to go into public matters,to say these are our values.This is our faith.We want to live it.”