Saint Christopher Magallanes and his companions were a group of 25 Mexican martyrs who were killed during the Cristero War, a period of violent persecution against the Catholic Church in Mexico in the 1920s. Christopher Magallanes, a priest, and his fellow martyrs were executed for their staunch defense of religious freedom and their refusal to comply with anti-Catholic laws enforced by the Mexican government. They are remembered for their courage in standing firm in their faith, even at the cost of their lives. Beatified in 1992 and canonized in 2000, they are celebrated as martyrs for religious liberty and devotion.
The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) has decreed that this is a Holy Day of Memorial (Optional) to be observed in Canada.