Mexican Religious Question collection

Due to the incurred violence of the Mexican Revolution, many Mexican families emigrated to the United States, with some settling permanently in Texas. For those that remained in Mexico, life was dramatically altered - particularly for actively practicing Catholics. Under the 1917 Constitution of Mexico, a wave of anticlericalism swept Mexico. Eventually, minor clashes between the government and Catholics led to a widespread uprising. The rebellion, known as the Cristero War or La Cristiada, initially received little support. However, the American Catholic hierarchy desired to support the Mexican Catholic hierarchy, clergy, and families with the necessary resources to mediate long-term damage to the Church in Mexico.

Bishop Francis Kelley of Oklahoma City and the Catholic Extension Society, Archbishop Jerome Drossaerts of San Antonio, Bishop John Gannon of Erie, and countless others gathered resources to provide a safe place for Mexican seminarians to continue their education. Several American dioceses and the Knights of Columbus raised funds to open a temporary seminary in Castroville, Texas. The Seminary of St. Philip Neri for Mexican Students (Mexican Seminary) operated between 1915-1930. During its operation, the Mexican Seminary closed as it became safe for students to return to Mexico and reopened as Catholic persecution increased. Between 1937-1972, Montezuma Seminary operated in Las Vegas, New Mexico to continue the tradition of international cooperation and education.