The boy martyr, St. Jose Sanchez del Rio

St. Jose Sanchez del Rio - A boy martyr for the faith

It has always been our assertion at the TFP Call To Chivalry programs that youth was not made for pleasure but for heroism. This is exemplified so well by a newly canonized "boy" of 14 years whose story of martyrdom is truly inspiring.

Many young people today only think of the pleasures the world offers, the distraction of sports and video games, or the comforts of life. For the most part, there is nothing sinful to do those things. It is even pleasing to see children run and play care-free without the least concern. The contrary is likewise true. It is sad to see them suffer or burdened by concerns. However, not all children have the same inclinations. There are many who are drawn to acts of heroism, regardless of the suffering it entails.

St. Jose Sanchez was one of those boys. He was eager and enthusiastic to serve as a Cristeiro even though he was only a young boy. He was aware of the importance of the Catholic faith for his beloved country of Mexico. He saw the need for more fighters for the Catholic cause. He begged to help in any way he can.

What made this decision so necessary in the judgement of St. Jose Sanchez?

On July 31, 1926, the president of Mexico established the Calles Laws, which initiated tyrannical prohibitions on the Catholic Church. The faithful resisted. Calles retaliated with imprisonment and executions. The faithful took up arms to defend their faith from the oppressive government. The conflict escalated to a full out civil war. It became the bloodiest years of Mexico's history. Millions of Mexicans were martyred.

As it turns out, being a simple messenger gave him the opportunity to be more involved in the fight. As in the U.S. Marines, every Marine, even the cook, is a rifleman. In the Catholic resistance in Mexico, every able bodied man or boy is a Cristeiro.

So it was that during one of the battles, a general lost his horse. St. Jose Sanchez del Rio insisted that the general take his horse because the Catholic army needed him badly. He offered to hold back the government's forces as long as he could. And, he did. He eventually ran out of bullets and was captured by the enemy soldiers.

Many boys at this point would panic, beg for his life and betray his loyalties. Not St. Jose Sanchez. Even through torture he didn't give any single information nor did he beg for his life. They offered him freedom if he promised to stop fighting against the government. He refused. In his estimation, to stop fighting the tyrannical government was the same as abandoning the Catholic cause.

The young martyr perceived his time had come so he wrote a moving letter to his mother that expresses the sense of faith and heroism he had.

This is an incredible affirmation of the holiness of his soul. Intimidation, torture, death were not able to sway his Catholic belief. There are so many instances of heroism displayed by youth in the most adverse circumstances but few as impressive as this young Mexican martyr.

When he died, his last words were; "Viva Cristo Rey! Viva la Virgen de Guadalupe!" (Long live Christ the King! Long live the Virgin of Guadalupe!)

Today he stands as a role model for many youths. He is certainly venerated in the TFP Call To Chivalry programs both as a saint and a hero.

Please read up more on him in this article: http://www.tfp.org/tfp-home/catholic-perspective/saint-jose-luis-sanchez-del-rio-hero-for-christ-the-king.html.

St. Jose Sanchez del Rio, pray for us.