St. Christopher Magallanes and Companions, May 21
During the persecution of the Church in Mexico in the 1920s, Christopher Magallanes and 24 companions, mostly priests, were executed for exercising their ministry. Magallanes absolved his executioners before he was shot in 1927. They were canonized in 2000.
On the General Roman Calendar, May 21 is an optional memorial: Saint Christopher Magallanes, priest, and Companions, martyrs.
Other saints on May 21
- St. Eugene de Mazenod, bishop of Marseille (1861)
May 21 on the calendar
May 21 is the 141st day of the year (the 142nd in a leap year), with 224 days left until December 31. Here is the day of the week it falls on in the coming years:
| Year | Day |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Thursday |
| 2027 | Friday |
| 2028 | Sunday |
| 2029 | Monday |
| 2030 | Tuesday |
Keeping May 21
May 21 falls in May, the month of Mary. As an optional memorial, each parish or priest may choose whether to celebrate it. Families who keep name days often mark the day with a card, a candle or a favorite meal, and parishes named after the saint may hold a festival.
Saints of the week around May 21
| Date | Saint or feast |
|---|---|
| May 18 | St. John I |
| May 19 | St. Ivo of Kermartin |
| May 20 | St. Bernardine of Siena |
| May 22 | St. Rita of Cascia |
| May 23 | St. John Baptist de Rossi |
| May 24 | Sts. Donatian and Rogatian |
The day before, May 20, is the day of St. Bernardine of Siena. The day after, May 22, belongs to St. Rita of Cascia. Looking for a name? Try the name day calendar or go back to today’s saint.