José was born in 1913 in Sahuayo, Mexico, and as a young teenager insisted on joining the Cristero fighters resisting the Mexican government's severe anti-Catholic persecution of the 1920s, despite his parents' reluctance given his age. He served as a flag-bearer and messenger before being captured in battle in 1928.
His captors attempted to pressure him into renouncing his faith, torturing him over several days, including cutting the soles of his feet and forcing him to walk on the wounds, in front of his own godfather, hoping to break his resolve. He refused every demand to apologize for his faith, reportedly encouraging other prisoners and shouting "Viva Cristo Rey!" ("Long live Christ the King!") even as he was killed by bayonet and gunshot at fourteen. He was canonized in 2016.
Saint José Sánchez del Río
Teenage Martyr of the Cristero War
A fourteen-year-old Mexican boy tortured and killed for refusing to renounce his Catholic faith during the anti-clerical persecution of the Cristero War.
- Born
- 1913
- Died
- 1928
- Birthplace
- Sahuayo, Mexico
- Died in
- Sahuayo, Mexico
- Country
- Mexico
- Canonised
- 2016-10-16
- Century
- 20th century
Categories
Why People Pray to Saint José Sánchez del Río
Saint José Sánchez del Río is invoked by young people facing pressure to abandon their faith, and by anyone seeking courage under persecution.
