Saint José Sánchez del Río:

Feast day : 10 February

Today the Church celebrates the feast of Saint José Luis Sánchez del Río, a brave young martyr, who lived during the period 1913 to 1928. Under the reign of President Plutarco Elias Calles, anti-clerical laws were introduced into the Mexican Constitution that made it legal to close religious institutions, churches, convents and even arrest and execute priests. The Cristero war, a rebel movement against the government began in 1926 and young Jose Sanchez too joined the rebel forces to fight for his faith. However, he was captured, mercilessly tortured and asked to give up his faith. Even as his oppressors prompted him to renounce his faith amidst painful tortures he screamed back “I will never give in, Viva Cristo Rey!” and gloriously attained his martyrdom at the young age of 15. He was canonized by Pope Francis on October 16, 2006.

Saint Jose Sanchez del Río was born on March 28, 1913 in Sahuayo, Mexico. He was raised in his hometown in Jaisco, Mexico. In 1924, when he was 11 years of age, the political backdrop of Mexico began to change when President Plutarco Elias Calles took office. Under his regime, the government began eliminating church privileges and seizing church properties. Necessary anti- clerical laws were introduced into the Mexican Constitution that made it legal to close religious schools, convents and arrest, exile and at times even execute priests for their faith. As a response to the injustices, a rebel force was formed which began the Cristero War in 1926 against the government forces. Little Jose Sanchez too wanted to join the rebel forces along-with his brothers and die for his faith. But his mother and the chief of the rebel movement, Prudencio Mendoza thought he was too young to join the movement and dissuaded him from joining it. However, Jose Sanchez persisted in his attempts to join the movement and finally his family and the rebel chief gave in to his keen desire.

Saint Jose Sanchez was keen to die for Jesus and be united with Him in Heaven. He was made the flagbearer of the troop. During the heavy fighting on January 25, 1928, the rebel leader’s horse was killed. Saint Jose Sanchez gave his horse to the General so that he could continue his fight. He took cover and kept firing at the enemy till he was captured by the government forces and taken captive. He was locked in the sacristy of the local church.

The Government forces ordered him to renounce his faith in Jesus but he boldly refused even when they threatened to kill him. He was then made to watch the execution of another Cristero in the hope that it would break his resolve but he stayed steadfast in his faith, encouraging and strengthening the martyr who was being hanged. He shouted out to him that they would meet soon in Heaven!!. In his small prison he gained strength from praying the rosary and wrote an emotional letter to his mother that he was going to fulfil the will of God. His father made all attempts to raise money as ransom for his life but failed in his attempts.

Martyrdom and Sainthood:

On February 10, 1928 the Government forces carried out the orders to execute little Jose Sanchez. According to witnesses of the execution, they cut off the bottom of his feet and asked him to walk around the town toward the cemetery. On his way they attacked him with a machete several times, till he was bleeding from his several wounds. He cried and moaned in pain but never gave up his resolve. Till the very end, the Government forces kept prompting him to shout “Death to Christ the King” and save his life but he shouted back “I will never give in. Viva Cristo Rey!” and attained his glorious martyrdom.

The proceedings for his canonization began on 1 May 1996. Pope John Paul II approved of the report submitted on June 22, 2004. He was beatified by Pope Benedict XVI on 20 November 2005 in Mexico and canonized by Pope Francis on 16 October 2016.

His sacred remains are enshrined in the Church of Saint James the Apostle in Sahuayo, Mexico. He is the patron saint of persecuted Christians, children, adolescents and Sahuayo.