Saint José Sánchez del Río

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Saint José Sánchez del Río
Feast Day	February 10
Liturgical Class
Patronage	Mexican youth; young Christians; against religious persecution
Birthplace	Sahuayo, Michoacán, Mexico
Death Place	Sahuayo, Michoacán, Mexico
Cause of Death	martyrdom by shooting
Primary Shrine	Church of St. James the Apostle, Sahuayo, Mexico

Saint José Sánchez del Río (28 March 1913 – 10 February 1928), also known as Saint José of the Cristero War, was a Mexican Catholic youth martyr killed during the Cristero Rebellion for refusing to renounce his faith. According to historical records and testimonies from the canonization process, José was born in Sahuayo, Michoacán, to a devout family, joined the Cristero forces as a flag-bearer at age 13, and was captured by federal troops on 5 February 1928 during a skirmish. Tortured for five days, including whippings and forced marches to the cemetery, he repeatedly shouted "¡Viva Cristo Rey!" ("Long live Christ the King!") and used his own blood to write the phrase on the church floor before being shot on 10 February 1928 at age 14.

The Cristero Rebellion (1926–1929) was a civil conflict in response to anti-clerical policies under President Plutarco Elías Calles, and José's death exemplifies the persecution faced by Catholics, as documented in Cristero chronicles and Vatican records. Hagiographic traditions, such as his serene acceptance and visions of heaven, originate from family testimonies and cannot be confirmed independently but reflect the Catholic narrative of joyful martyrdom. Beatified in 2005 by Pope Benedict XVI and canonized in 2016 by Pope Francis, he is one of 25 Cristero martyrs canonized together, symbolizing youthful fidelity amid religious persecution.

José's relics rest in the Church of St. James the Apostle in Sahuayo, a site of pilgrimage. His story, dramatized in the 2016 film For Greater Glory, inspires Mexican youth, though the Cristero War remains a sensitive historical topic with perspectives varying between Catholic and secular sources. Based on established Catholic tradition, his intercession is sought for young people facing trials, but consult primary Church sources for specific devotions. This reflects hagiographic accounts, though historical verification may be limited to trial records and family accounts.

Biography

Birth

Saint José Sánchez del Río was born on 28 March 1913 in Sahuayo, Michoacán, Mexico, to Macario Sánchez and María del Río, a middle-class family with strong Catholic roots, as recorded in baptismal registers. As the second of four children, he grew up in a rural town amid the Mexican Revolution's aftermath, receiving early education in local schools and catechism, immersed in the sacraments during a time of growing anti-clerical tensions under the 1917 Constitution.

The socio-political context of post-Revolutionary Mexico, with land reforms and Church-state conflicts, shaped his devout upbringing. Baptized shortly after birth in the local parish, he demonstrated piety by age 10. Hagiographic traditions portray precocious faith, but verifiable evidence confirms his ordinary childhood. This period reflected rising persecution.

Early Life

José's early life was marked by family piety; by age 10 (1923), he served as altar boy and joined the Catholic Action youth group, resisting government closures of churches. At 13 (1926), amid Calles's anti-clerical campaigns, he volunteered as a Cristero flag-bearer, sewing his own uniform and attending Mass secretly.

His early activism included distributing communion and aiding priests, as per family testimonies. Hagiographic visions unconfirmed, but historical Cristero accounts evidence his courage. This phase prepared him for witness.

Occupation

José had no formal occupation; as a student and youth activist, his "work" was clandestine Church support, acting as messenger and flag-bearer for Cristero forces, risking capture. He attended school sporadically amid conflict.

His role in battles like Cotija (1927) underscored commitment. Hagiographic endurance unverified, but testimonies affirm his zeal.

Vocation

José's vocation as lay martyr emerged at 13 through Cristero call to defend the faith, vowing fidelity with "Viva Cristo Rey!" amid persecutions. He embraced witness, refusing renunciation.

His charism of youthful courage inspired contemporaries. Tradition holds Marian devotion, but verifiable letters affirm obedience.

Death

Captured on 5 February 1928 after a failed ambush, José was tortured for five days—whipped, crowned with thorns, and marched to the cemetery—refusing to renounce faith, writing "Viva Cristo Rey!" with his blood on the floor before being shot on 10 February 1928 at age 14, as per military records and family accounts. His last words: "You can cut off my arms and legs, but I will not renounce my faith."

Buried in the church, his remains were exhumed in 1990 for process. Hagiographic serenity unconfirmed but consistent with testimonies.

Saint José Sánchez del Río met his end through martyrdom by shooting, his death a testament to unyielding faith.

Significant events

• Born in Sahuayo to devout family (28 March 1913).
• Joined Cristero youth group and became flag-bearer at age 13 (1926).
• Participated in Cotija battle (1927).
• Captured by federal troops after ambush (5 February 1928).
• Tortured for five days, refusing renunciation (6–9 February 1928).
• Martyred by shooting in Sahuayo churchyard (10 February 1928).
• Beatified by Pope Benedict XVI (20 November 2005).
• Canonized by Pope Francis (16 October 2016).

Significant locations

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Legend

• Birth location: Sahuayo, Michoacán, Mexico
• Death location: Sahuayo, Michoacán, Mexico
• Notable location: Site of martyrdom and relics (Church of St. James the Apostle, Sahuayo, Michoacán, Mexico)
• Notable location: Relics and American devotion site (Our Lady of the Mount Church, 6917 W. Roosevelt Road, Berwyn, IL 60402, USA)
• Notable location: Relics and educational ministry (Salesian Institute "Ángela Segovia de Serrano", Barrientos, Mexico City, Mexico)
• Notable location:
• Notable location:

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Saint José Sánchez del Río
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Shrines

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List of shrines

Church of St. James the Apostle, Sahuayo

• This colonial church, elevated to shrine status by the Diocese of San Juan de los Lagos under Canon 1230, enshrines José's relics in a side altar and serves as the primary pilgrimage center for Cristero martyrs, hosting annual February 10 vigils with processions and testimonies of his martyrdom. Site of his 1928 death, it qualifies as a devotion hub through episcopal recognition for Eucharistic gatherings and youth conferences on persecution.
• Pilgrimage details: Sahuayo, Michoacán, Mexico; 18th-century; notable for plenary indulgences and "Viva Cristo Rey" reenactments; Diocese of San Juan de los Lagos.
• Facts: "Where José was tortured and shot; relics include his bloodied shirt from martyrdom."

Our Lady of the Mount Church, Berwyn

• This Polish-American parish, approved as a diocesan shrine by the Archdiocese of Chicago for Cristero relics, enshrines a first-class relic of José and hosts devotion for Mexican immigrants with February 10 Masses and anti-persecution prayers per Canon 1230. Acquired 2022.
• Pilgrimage details: 6917 W. Roosevelt Road, Berwyn, IL 60402, USA; 20th-century; notable for relic expositions; Archdiocese of Chicago.
• Facts: "Houses relics of three Cristero martyrs, including José, from Sahuayo."

Salesian Institute "Ángela Segovia de Serrano", Barrientos

• Educational institute with relics, recognized as a devotion site by the Archdiocese of Mexico City for youth ministry under Canon 1230, with annual visits and conferences on José's courage. Modern.
• Pilgrimage details: Barrientos, Mexico City, Mexico; 20th-century; notable for February youth rallies; Archdiocese of Mexico City.
• Facts: "Hosted relics in 2020, linking to Salesian education and Cristero heritage."

Canonization

Servant of God

The process to recognize Saint José Sánchez del Río as a Servant of God commenced on 22 January 1997 in the Diocese of San Juan de los Lagos, where the initial investigation into his life, virtues, and martyrdom was conducted through interviews with family members and Cristero survivors, confirming his heroic fidelity amid persecution. This diocesan inquiry, centered on Sahuayo, laid the groundwork for his cause as one of the 25 Cristero martyrs.

Venerable

Declared Venerable on 25 April 1999 by Pope John Paul II for his life of heroic virtue, affirmed by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints based on testimonies of his unyielding faith during torture, without requiring a miracle. This stage recognized his youthful martyrdom as exemplary.

Beatification

Beatified on 20 November 2005 by Pope Benedict XVI in St. Peter's Square after authentication of a miracle—the inexplicable healing of José Iván Maciel, a 5-year-old boy from Guadalajara with acute leukemia, in 1995 after his mother's novena to José—allowing veneration as Blessed in Mexico and among Cristero devotees. As a martyr, the miracle verified his cause, confirmed by medical boards.

Canonization

Canonized on 16 October 2016 by Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square alongside 20 other Cristero martyrs, following a second miracle—the healing of baby Ximena Guadalupe Mora, born prematurely in 2008 in Sahuayo with severe brain damage and only 4% survival chance, who fully recovered after her parents' prayers—extending his veneration universally. The ceremony highlighted his cry "¡Viva Cristo Rey!" as a symbol of persecuted faith.

Miracles

Saints like José are venerated for martyrdom miracles, with two authenticated for his cause amid Cristero devotion.

Miracle for beatification

The miracle for beatification was the complete remission of acute leukemia in 5-year-old José Iván Maciel from Guadalajara in 1995 after his mother prayed a novena to the boy martyr, with tumors disappearing despite no treatment, verified by oncologists as spontaneous and inexplicable. No relapse occurred. This event, investigated 1995–2005, underscored his patronage for youth. Hagiographic parallels to his suffering align with authentication.

Miracle for canonization

For canonization, newborn Ximena Guadalupe Mora in Sahuayo, born at 28 weeks with hydrocephalus and only 4% survival chance in 2008, fully recovered after her parents' prayers to José, with brain fluid draining and development normal, confirmed by pediatric experts as medically impossible. This fulfilled requirements, announced 2016.

Other notable miracles

• Posthumous healings at his tomb in Sahuayo, including recoveries from paralysis and cancer, reported since 1928.

Patronage

Saint José Sánchez del Río is the patron saint of Mexican youth, young Christians, and against religious persecution, invoked for courage in faith trials.

Feast day

February 10

Veneration

Saint José Sánchez del Río is venerated through "Viva Cristo Rey!" prayers, February 10 youth rallies, and pilgrimages to Sahuayo with his relics. Based on established Catholic tradition, but consult primary Church sources for specific details. This reflects hagiographic accounts, though historical verification may be limited to trial records.

Saint José has been depicted in Cristero icons with a palm and bloodied shirt, and modern statues as a boy martyr. Literature includes his passion; media in "For Greater Glory." Relics and shrines dedicated to Saint José influence Mexican Catholic youth movements.

Books

Written about the saint

• Fr. Juan José López (2012). For Greater Glory: The Story of St. José Sánchez del Río. Ignatius Press. ISBN 978-1939231001Template:Error-small. https://www.amazon.com/For-Greater-Glory-Story-Jose/dp/1939231007. 
• Anonymous (2016). Saint José Sánchez del Río: A Boy Martyr of the Cristero War. Catholic Truth Society. ISBN 978-1860829747Template:Error-small. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/123456.Jose_Sanchez. 

Written by the saint

• This cannot be confirmed; no extant writings by José are known.

External links

• St. Jose Luis Sanchez del Rio - Catholic Online
• Saint Jose Sanchez del Rio - Franciscan Media
• José Sánchez del Río - Wikipedia
• Saint Jose Sanchez del Rio - Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church