The Mexican Martyrs Statue
Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson in 2005 unveiled a painting and statue of the Mexican martyrs at the Knights of Columbus Museum.
The works were commissioned by the Knights to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Knights of Columbus in Mexico.
Both artworks commemorate the Catholics killed by the Mexican government in the early 20th century. Though the episode is largely forgotten today, more than 40,000 Catholics – including 90 priests and more than 70 members of the Knights of Columbus – were killed or martyred for practicing and defending their faith during the 1920s and 1930s.
The statue by acclaimed Mexican sculptor Antonio Castellanos Basich depicts a peasant, a priest and a businessman – all martyred for their faith. It is on display in the museum lobby.
For more on the Mexican Martyrs see the following articles from the online edition of Columbia magazine: