Detroit – A first-class relic of a martyred Mexican priest, who some undocumented immigrants believe helped them cross the U.S. border, was received Wednesday night by Archbishop Allen Vigneron at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament.

After being hosted at a number of area churches, the relic, of St. Toribio Romo González, will find a permanent home in a local church.

St. Toribio Romo, who was murdered in 1928 by Mexican government troops during the persecution of the Church known as the Cristero War, has gained a reputation as unofficial patron saint of illegal immigrants.

Since the early 1970s there have been reports by Mexicans who have crossed the U.S. border surreptitiously that a young man has helped them in times of distress, providing water or other assistance.

They have said the man has identified himself as Toribio Romo from Santa Ana de Guadalupe in Jalisco State and they should look him up if they ever got back there. Those who have tried to do that have been shown the martyred priest’s picture, said Msgr. Donald Hanchon, pastor of Holy Redeemer Parish in southwest Detroit.

Archbishop  Vigneron received the relic – a bone fragment – at a 7 p.m. Vespers service at the Cathedral on Wednesday. He led the congregation in prayer and in veneration of the relic.

The relic will then be taken around to various parishes in the Hispanic community until its reaches its permanent home at Holy Redeemer Church on Sunday, Nov. 21, the solemnity of Christ the King.

A full schedule can be found on the Archdiocese of Detroit's website.

At Holy Redeemer, the relic will be received at a 6 p.m. Mass, and be placed into a specially prepared shrine for public veneration.

An icon of St. Torbio by Sr. Nancy Lee Smith, IHM, has been commissioned by a family at Holy Redeemer Parish, and will be installed later if not ready by Nov. 21.