Miriam Olmos Advisor: Dr. Rafael Gomez Spring 2013

 Abstract  The conflicts between the Catholic Church and the government started to become more noticeable at the beginning of 1924, when Plutarco Elías Calles took command of the Mexican presidency.  The struggles of the Cristero War were transmitted by Jorge Gram in his novel Héctor Novela Histórica Cristera.  Purpose of this research to analyze the novel.

 1.History about the Church and Governments conflict in México. (in contest of the novel) 2.The Cristero War 3.Jorge Gram 4.Héctor Novela Histórica Cristera 5.Literature analysis A.Summary B.Characters C.Themes 6.Conclusion 7.References Outline

  Leyes de reforma  Benito Juárez  1859  Leyes de calles  Plutarco Elías Calles  Article 130  1926  “arreglos” (term used by critics to describe the agreements between Vatican and the Mexican government to end the rebellion)  Emilio Portales Gil  1929 Catholic persecution

 What is the Cristero war?  A fight between the Catholic religion and the Mexican government.  This war lasted 3 years from 1926 to 1929  President Plutarco Elías Calles ordered for any religious practices to be prohibited.  Priest from abroad were ordered to exile, and those who were Mexican were ordered to stop practicing mass.  Anyone who was surprised practicing Catholicism would be executed

 Jorge Gram  Real name “David G. Ramírez”  Was born in Oaxaca México in 1889, died 1950  He became priest in 1918  Was order to exile during the war

 Hector; Novela Historica Cristera  Fist edition 1930  Last edition 1953

 Summary  Location: Zacatecas, México  Time period:  The story begins when the Colegio/Convent Teresiano gets assaulted by soldiers by force, and order the nuns to abandon the convent.  Héctor joins the rebellion and leads a group of cristeros, they win all the battles they encounter.  Héctor is recognize by all the people in Mexico, he is a savior to his nation.  Novel ends in 1927 before the rebellion actually ends.

  Main characters  Héctor- symbol of the legitimacy of the arm rebellion, he represents the ideal consummation of the Christian love.  Consuelito – feminine figure that morally supports the rebellion.  All other characters  Are almost exclusively from the rural class (Maihold,479).  Criticism against the rich Catholics. Characters

 Theme  Main theme: The Cristero War  Love for Cristo Rey and la Virgen de Guadalupe  Courage  Love for liberty  Gram intends to defend the legality of the war in the name of Crist.

  Long live virgin Mary!...Off to fight like lions! The scared Catholics are dead! Long live Cristo Rey!... Goodbye, women, old people, and children! Within no time you will have peace and work and the grace of God! Soldiers of Crist to the battle.  Courage  Faith in their religion  Faith that they will conquer their freedom  In the words of Luis Gonzales; its was a bloddy war like a few others, the greates collective human sacrifice in all of Mexican history. (Volek)  Abandonment, poorness, death, freedom Conclusion

  Gram, Jorge, Héctor, México,  Rosa Maria Sauter de Maihold, “La novela cristera en México como testimonio histórico y como arma ideológica,”  Emil Volek, “Memorias de una soldadera, de Madero a los cristeros: hasta no verte Jesus mio, de Elena Paniatowska,”  HECTOR1.jpg  e_reforma_by_mikedva-d332oy8.jpg  mAhduI/AAAAAAAAAFI/4SsFlaXCkXM/s400/cristeros6.jpg  ml References