As violence erupted after “El Mencho’s” capture, priests in Jalisco carried the Blessed Sacrament to reassure citizens that faith triumphs over fear.
Newsroom (26/02/2026 Gaudium Press ) As fear rippled through Mexico following the capture and death of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes—known as El Mencho and leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel—Catholic priests in several Mexican states turned to a centuries-old gesture of courage and faith. Carrying the Blessed Sacrament through silent neighborhoods and shuttered churches, they sought to remind the faithful that even in the shadow of terror, “the Lord is above all evil.”
In the municipality of El Salto, part of the Guadalajara metropolitan area, Father Ricardo López Díaz decided to confront fear not with force, but with prayer. When news reached him that cartel members were setting fire to vehicles, blocking roads, and attacking both civilians and military personnel, he urged parishioners to remain at home and pray. His mid-day Mass was held behind closed doors with just six participants—but through social media, it reached nearly two thousand people searching for reassurance in a moment of national distress.
“It was a moment where we expressed our concern, even to the point of tears,” he later recalled, “but also our confidence that Christ has already defeated the devil.”
A Blessing from Above
At the Holy Cross parish, silence lingered over the town of El Salto as smoke rose in the distance. The priest offered shelter to those who could not return home, and together with the parish vicar, decided to act. They climbed an unfinished bell tower, lifted the monstrance high, and blessed the four cardinal points of the city with the Blessed Sacrament.
Before beginning, Father López Díaz sent messages to parish groups, urging the faithful to “light the Paschal Candle, make the sign of the cross, and ask the Lord to grant peace.” From the tower, he could see the dark plumes of smoke curling against the Jalisco sky. “Lord,” he prayed, “calm your anger, calm the evil of these criminals, defend and protect these innocent families; hear the cry of your people.”
What began as a small act of faith quickly transcended borders. The livestream of the blessing reached over seven thousand viewers in real time and was later shared by Catholic pages across Latin America and beyond.
Hope in the Midst of Turmoil
Father López Díaz insists the inspiration lay not in the online success but in the spiritual impact. “For many,” he said, “it was a sign of hope, a reminder that the Lord is still here and has not forgotten us. The Lord is above all evils, above all dangers. The Lord has not lost sight of us.”
Across Mexico, other parishes followed similar steps: Masses were livestreamed, rosaries recited through community broadcasts, and priests offered blessings from rooftops and church steps. While some churches closed for safety, faith itself refused to retreat.
Kneeling Before Peace
Reflecting on the crisis, Father López Díaz offered a stark reminder about the meaning of worship in a society weary of violence. “Whoever does not kneel before Jesus in the Eucharist ends up kneeling before something else—crime, power, money,” he said. “We must never underestimate the power of prayer. We are now living with the results of not praying enough.”
In his final appeal, the priest called on the faithful not only to pray for protection but also for the conversion of those who commit violence. “Yes, they are criminals and scourges of society,” he acknowledged, “but they are also children of God, whom He wishes to see redeemed and at peace.”
As dusk fell over Jalisco, the sound of church bells intermingled with distant sirens. For a few fleeting moments, faith stood taller than fear—its light flickering above a land still trembling, but not broken.
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- Raju Hasmukh with files from ACi Prensa
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