(Winter 2008)
Some ten miles southeast of Madrid lies a hill marking the geographical center of the Iberian peninsula. Here, at the Cerro de los Angeles, occurred two remarkable events in the 20th century, which signify the battle raging in the world between Christ and Satan, between the Catholic Church and the enemies of God, between good and evil. These two events were polar opposites, indicating to us the struggle that is being daily waged for souls. On the one hand we see the merciful love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, yearning to save souls; on the other we see the diabolical hatred towards God and His Church displayed by the devil’s henchmen. To understand the significance of this struggle, let us begin with a brief survey of the life and work of Fr. Mateo Crawley-Boevey, SS.CC.
What was Fr. Mateo’s Background?
Edward Crawley-Boevey was born in Arequipa, Peru, in 1875. Son of a devout Peruvian mother and an English father, who was a convert from Anglicanism, young Edward received an excellent Catholic education. Although his mother bore and raised eleven children, she yet found time to attend Mass and receive Holy Communion daily.
When Edward was nine, his family moved to Valparaiso, Chile, where he was enrolled in a school conducted by the Fathers of the Sacred Hearts. It was here that the future Father Mateo realized his vocation and entered the religious congregation of his teachers. After his ordination, he began his apostolic work in Valparaiso. In order to bring about the social reign of the Sacred Heart, Fr. Mateo established a Catholic law school. Soon after its dedication, however, a terrible earthquake reduced the school to a pile of rubble. Undaunted, Father Mateo began to raise funds for its rebuilding. Eventually, the strain of all these efforts proved too much, and the young priest’s health broke down.
Fr. Mateo’s message on the enthronement of the Sacred Heart was well received everywhere, but it is doubtful that any people responded as enthusiastically as the Spanish.
The enthronement of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Being greatly concerned for the health of the zealous young priest, his superiors followed the doctors’ advice in sending Father Mateo on a recuperation trip to Europe. There, as he knelt in the chapel of the apparitions of the Sacred Heart to St. Margaret Mary in Paray le Monial, Fr. Mateo conceived the plan of bringing the reign of the Sacred Heart into the home. After all, hadn’t Jesus promised St. Margaret Mary “I will establish peace in their homes… I will bless every place in which an image of My Heart is exposed and honored”? At once, Father Mateo went to Rome to seek papal approval of his movement of the Enthronement of the Sacred Heart in the Home. With the blessing and approbation of Pope St. Pius X, he returned to Chile where he began to promote the work of the enthronement. Soon remarkable conversions demonstrated the divine approval of the work.
After seven years of promoting the work of the enthronement in South America, Father Mateo returned to Europe at the request of numerous bishops. The year was 1914, marking the inception of the World War. While men fought one another on the battlefields of Europe, Father Mateo traveled throughout the continent, promoting the love of the Sacred Heart for souls. First, however, he traveled to Rome to obtain the blessing of Pope Benedict XV. The pontiff heartily endorsed the plan and gave Father Mateo a letter of approbation. (See inset below.) Now Father Mateo could begin in earnest his plan for promoting the love of the Sacred Heart. He traveled throughout Europe, preaching as many as eight times a day, in various languages. He also gave numerous retreats to priests and religious.
What prompted Fr. Mateo to have Spain consecrated to the Sacred Heart?
The Sacred Heart and Spain. Although his message was well received everywhere, it is doubtful that any people responded as enthusiastically as the Spanish. Not only was the Sacred Heart enthroned in countless homes, but cities and towns arranged public consecrations. Observing this phenomenon, the zealous priest conceived the idea of a public act of consecration of the entire nation, a plan that met with enthusiastic approval everywhere among the faithful.
The Cerro de los Angeles was chosen as a fitting site for the consecration. In 1916 the cornerstone of the monument was laid. Altogether, 882 tons of quarried stone were required to complete the shrine. The statue of the Sacred Heart, donated by the ambassador from Peru, together with its base, stood 91 feet above the top of the hill. Here on May 30, 1919, after a solemn triduum preached by Father Mateo, King Alfonso XIII consecrated the nation of Spain to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. One can only imagine the joy in heaven at this fulfillment of the earnest desire of the popes of recent memory, who had prayed, yearned, and urged by their writings the acceptance of the social reign of Christ the King. This joy of holy souls was matched, however, by the diabolical fury of Satan and his minions. Soon, the specter of the murder of Gabriel Garcia Moreno in Ecuador in 1875 would be mirrored in the attempted “murder” of a great Catholic nation.
Why have Americans historically been prejudiced against Spain?
Americans have never really understood Spain. “Prejudice against anything Spanish is part of the inheritance of English-speaking peoples. It is in their blood,” wrote Bishop Francis C. Kelley (Blood-drenched Altars, p. 7). This distrust — and often even dislike — goes back to the time of Queen Elizabeth I (of England). Certainly, it is due to a great extent to the simple reason that Spain has been for centuries so profoundly Catholic. Our efforts to understand Spain are hindered by the negative treatment in our history books and press. It is also due to an ignorance of the fires of tribulation that forged this country.
Spain has long been a great Catholic nation. It has given to the world great saints, such as St. Isidore the farmer, St. Vincent Ferrer, St. Teresa of Avila, St. Peter of Alcantara, St. John of the Cross, St. Ignatius Loyola, St. Francis Xavier, St. Peter Claver, and St. Anthony Mary Claret, to name just a few. It has also sent its great Catholic explorers to open new lands to the Church. Everywhere these explorers traveled, they were accompanied by priests who brought the true Faith to the natives. These glories of Spain were well expressed by Pope Pius XI in Dilectissima Nobis (June 3, 1933):
“Always extremely dear to Us has been the noble Spanish Nation for its exemplary benevolence toward the Catholic Faith and Christian civilization, for its traditional and ardent devotion to this Holy Apostolic See, for its great institutions and apostolic works, being the fecund mother of saints, missionaries and founders of illustrious religious orders, the pride and support of the House of God.”
Spain has had a long and troubled history. From the Roman conquest in the first century before Christ, to the seven-century depredations of the Islamic Moors, it has suffered. The Spanish Inquisition can only be properly understood in light of this history of persecution and suffering. Yet, in spite of all, the Faith remained strong among Spaniards. We find little to no loss of souls to the Church during the Protestant Reformation in the rest of Europe. One constant throughout its history has been Spain’s attachment to the Catholic religion.
How did the Spanish become susceptible to modern errors?
Yet things began to change in the 19th century. The otherwise impregnable Pyrenees could not keep the new ideas of Liberalism and Modernism, of separation of Church and State, of rationalism and secularism, from penetrating the minds of Spaniards. True, they were behind many of their European brethren in succumbing to modern errors, but eventually, the new ideas swept over Spain.
The Spanish Republic. In 1931, the monarchy was replaced with a republic. Immediately, the new government set about establishing anticlerical laws and taking away the privileges of the Church. Pope Pius XI vehemently protested these new laws, but to no avail. The new government expelled religious orders, confiscated church property, established civil marriage and secularized education. There was little the Vatican could do but continue to protest this unjust and sacrilegious treatment. Then, in 1936, the anticlericals gained even greater power. Finally, the hatred of the Church erupted in the “fury” of religious persecution in July, 1936. Priests were executed without any semblance of a trial, churches were burned, untold treasures of religious art were destroyed, as the enemies of the Church wreaked their vengeance. The government of the Republic made some semblance of an effort to control the “uncontrollables,” yet in all, 6, 832 priests and religious were put to death. In 1937, the Spanish bishops estimated that 20,000 churches and chapels, out of a total of 42,000 in all of Spain, had been destroyed.
But perhaps the greatest outrage of all — at least one which more than others demonstrated the diabolical hatred of the anticlericals — was the “execution” of the Sacred Heart. Just a few days after the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War, in July, 1936, a group of communists lined up with their rifles in imitation of a “firing squad,” to shoot at the large statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which had been erected at Cerro de los Angeles in 1919. After this show of hatred, the sacrilegious act was completed with the destruction of the national shrine by dynamite. Now the beautiful statue, symbol of Spain’s national consecration, was reduced to ruins.
Francisco Franco did not approve of the excesses of the Republican forces
The Spanish Civil War. During that same month of July, 1936, various groups and political parties rose up to defend their country. The single factor uniting these varied groups, in addition to their love for their country, was the Catholic Faith. The Nationalists, as they were called, chose General Francisco Franco to lead the uprising. The war dragged on for over two years, ending with a Nationalist victory in March, 1939. Since the Spanish Civil War is not the topic of this article, we will pass over the details of the various campaigns of the conflict. One point that should be here mentioned is that Franco was not the monster that he is often made out to be. In fact, he was a devout Catholic leader, who attended Mass daily. While some excessive reprisals were committed by various Nationalist leaders, these were not countenanced by Franco. It must also be pointed out that, for the most part, the Nationalist soldiers were ardent Catholics. (In fact, many of them wore the badge of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on their uniforms.) Their cause attracted the assistance of Catholics from other countries. One such group was the Irish Brigade, led by General Eoin O’Duffy. His services were suggested to Spanish Nationalists by the cardinalprimate of Ireland, Joseph MacRory, as the person who might best lead a military contingent. Some 1,000 men volunteered for action. These soldiers clearly identified their Catholic Faith as their chief motivation, and they carried papal flags and wore Sacred Heart badges contributed by Irish nuns. O’Duffy claimed that the brigade was not fighting for any Irish political party but for “Christ the King against Communism” (The Spanish Civil War as a Religious Tragedy, p. 178).
The view of the Spanish hierarchy. We must clearly understand that the war in Spain was not merely a conflict between political factions. It had everything to do with the Catholic religion and the rights of the Church. (For this reason, many have referred to it as a crusade.) Let us see what was the attitude of the Spanish hierarchy towards this civil war.
The inscription on the base of the original monument commemorates the consecration of Spain to the Sacred Heart of Jesus by King Alfonso XIII on May 30, 1919. The smaller placard indicates that the protrusion resting on the base is what remains of the head of the original statue.
The archbishop of Toledo during the war was Cardinal Isidro Goma y Tomas. As primate of Spain, he became the foremost spokesman for the hierarchy of that country. In one of his letters, Cardinal Goma said that the civil war was not a political struggle, but rather a conflict “between two concepts of civilization, a war between Christianity and Marxist materialism” (The Spanish Civil War as a Religious Tragedy, p. 90). It is well known that of the various factions comprising the forces of the republic, the majority were communists and socialists. The USSR was keenly interested in their victory and sent weapons and troops to assist their cause. This fact was clearly seen by the bishops, all of whom supported the Nationalists.
The remnants of the original monument are directly across the square from its replacement.
As the war dragged on and misinformation was spread abroad, Cardinal Goma decided that a collective letter of all the Spanish bishops would be helpful. Such a letter was first suggested by Cardinal Pacelli and finally written by Goma in May, 1937. It was sent to the bishops of Spain, and all but two of them signed it. (Those who did not sign refrained due to the fact that their people were in areas still controlled by the Republican forces, and they feared reprisals.) Even those who did not sign agreed with the contents of the letter. This lengthy letter, which was published on July 1, 1937, and sent to the bishops of the world, attributed the falsehoods spread about the situation in Spain to ignorance of the Spanish situation and to the malicious intent of anti-Christian forces. The bishops’ judgment in siding with the Nationalists proved to be accurate. One of the first things Franco did in Nationalist-controlled areas was to give all works of education over to the Church. He abolished civil marriage, brought the Jesuits back to Spain and repealed the anticlerical laws of 1931. The victory of the Nationalists saved Spain for the Church.
Why is it important that we work and pray for the Social Reign of Christ the King?
Our Lord wants to reign as King, not only of individuals, but of society as well. Whenever His requests for social recognition of His kingship have been ignored, disaster has followed. Jesus made this request of King Louis XIV of France, through St. Margaret Mary — that France be consecrated to His Sacred Heart. Our Lord requested that the King erect a chapel in honor of the Sacred Heart and have an image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus placed on the French flag. For some unknown reason, the king failed to fulfill this request, even though he had expressed his intention to do so. A century later, the blood bath known as the French Revolution swept over the country. The “eldest daughter of the Church” has never been the same since.
A brighter page of history belongs to Spain. After the conclusion of the Spanish Civil War, a new statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus replaced the original that had been destroyed. During the Eucharistic Congress of 1952 in Barcelona, the chief of state, Generalissimo Francisco Franco, renewed the consecration of Spain to the Sacred Heart. Two years later, during the Marian Year, he solemnly consecrated his nation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Spain stands as a rare example of a nation which defeated Communism in the 20th century. Sadly, however, what the communists could not accomplish has been completed by Vatican Council II and the new religion which it spawned. Today, the majority of Spain’s “Catholics” are like their European brethren — pluralistic, liberal in their moral judgment, lax in the practice of their Faith. Yet above all stands the love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus shown by their forebears. Let us pray that today’s Spaniards (and those living in other formerly Catholic countries) return to the Faith of their Fathers.
In an address to the Spanish nation after the Civil War, Pope Pius XII attributed Spain’s defeat of communism to its loyalty to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Let us learn the lesson such a victory provides and consecrate our homes, families and our own hearts to the most loving Heart of Jesus. By enthroning the Sacred Heart in our homes and living that consecration, we can do our part to bring about that great day when Christ the King is publicly recognized as King of society, King of nations.
To our beloved son Mateo Crawley-Boevey,
We have read your letter with interest and likewise the documents that accompanied it. From them We have learned of the diligence and zeal with which for many years you have devoted yourself to the work of consecrating families to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, in such a way that while His image is installed in the principal place in the home as on a throne, our Divine Savior Jesus Christ is seen to reign at each Catholic hearth.
Our Predecessor, Leo XIII, of happy memory, had already consecrated the entire human race to the Divine Heart, and his noteworthy encyclical, Annum Sacrum, on this subject is well known. Notwithstanding that general and collective consecration, however, the devotion as applied to each family in particular is not without its purpose. On the contrary, it is perfectly in accord with the former, and can only contribute to the religious aim of that Pontiff. For what concerns each one in particular, affects us more deeply than the interests we share with others. Therefore we rejoice at the thought that your work has borne abundant fruit in this direction, and We exhort you to persevere with diligence in the apostolate which you have begun.
Nothing, as a matter of fact, is more suitable to the needs of the present day than your enterprise. To pervert, both in private and in public life, the concept of morality engendered and fostered by the Church, and, after having almost effaced the last vestige of Christian wisdom and decency, to lead human society back to the miserable institutions of paganism, such is the plan which too many are trying to realize today. Would that their efforts were fruitless! Moreover, the attacks of the wicked are directed primarily against the family. For, containing within itself as it does the principles and, as it were, the germ of all human society, they clearly see that the change, or rather, the corruption, which they are trying to bring about in human society, will necessarily follow, once the corruption of the family itself has been accomplished. Hence divorce laws are introduced to put an end to the stability of marriage; children are forced to follow an official teaching for the most part estranged from religion, thus eliminating the authority of parents in a matter of the highest importance; moreover, countenance is given to the spread of a shameful course of selfish indulgence which contravenes the laws of nature, and striking a blow at the human race at its very source, stains the sanctity of marriage with impure practices.
You do well, then, dear son, while taking up the cause of human society, to arouse and propagate above all things a Christian spirit in the home by setting up in each family the reign of the love of Jesus Christ. And in doing this you are but obeying our Divine Lord Himself, Who promised to shower His blessings upon the homes wherein an image of His Heart should be exposed and devoutly honored.
It is assuredly, therefore, a holy and salutary work to secure for our beloved Redeemer such worship and honor. But that is not everything. It is of the utmost importance to know Christ, to know His doctrine, His life, His Passion, His glory. For to follow Him does not consist in allowing ourselves to be swayed by a superficial religious sentiment that easily moves weak and tender hearts to tears, but leaves vices intact. To follow Christ is to be permeated with a lively and constant faith, which not only acts upon the mind and heart, but likewise governs and directs our conduct. Moreover, the real reason why Jesus is neglected by so many and but little loved by others, is to be found in the fact that He is almost entirely unknown to the former and not known sufficiently by the latter. Continue, therefore, beloved son, in your efforts to enkindle in Catholic homes the flames of love for the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus: but likewise and before all else, and this is Our wish, endeavor to make this love result from a knowledge of Christ the Lord, and from a greater and deeper understanding of the truths and laws which He Himself has given us.
For Our part, in order to encourage the piety of the faithful in this matter, we extend to all families of the Catholic world that consecrate themselves to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, all those spiritual favors which Our predecessor, Pius X, of happy memory, granted with Pontifical liberality, in 1913, at the instance of the bishops of Chile to the families of that republic consecrated to the Sacred Heart.
As a pledge of divine favors and as a mark of Our paternal good will, We impart to you affectionately, beloved son, the Apostolic Blessing.
Given at St. Peter’s, Rome, this 27th day of April, 1915, in the first year of Our Pontificate.
Sources
Carlen, Claudia, IHM. (1981). The Papal Encyclicals, 1903-1939. Pierian Press.
Carroll, Warren H. (1996). The Last Crusade, Spain: 1936. Front Royal, VA: Christendom Press.
Kelley, Most Rev. Francis C. (1935). Blooddrenched Altars. Milwaukee, WI: Bruce Publishing Company. (Reprinted by TAN Books, 1987).
Larkin, Francis, SS.CC. (1960). The Enthronement of the Sacred Heart. New York: Guild Press.
Sanchez, Jose M. (1987). The Spanish Civil War as a Religious Tragedy. Notre Dame, IN: University of Notre Dame Press.
–Taken from the Reign of Mary Quarterly Magazine, Issue 129
