{"id":"st-jose-sanchez-del-rio","name":"St. José Sánchez del Río","title":"Boy Martyr of Christ the King","knownFor":"Teenage Martyr of the Cristero War","feastDay":"February 10","lifespan":"1913-1928","patronOf":"Persecuted Christians, Children, Adolescents","shortBio":"A 14-year-old Mexican boy who was tortured and martyred during the Cristero War for refusing to renounce his faith. His courage inspired countless others and he was canonized by Pope Francis in 2016.","fullBio":"Born in Sahuayo, Michoacán, Mexico, José grew up during the anti-Catholic persecutions of the Mexican government. When the Cristero War began in 1926, his brothers joined the Catholic resistance. José begged to join at age 13.\n\nInitially refused due to his age, he persisted until allowed to serve as flag bearer and bugler. His motto was \"Never give in! Long live Christ the King and Our Lady of Guadalupe!\" He showed remarkable bravery and faith despite his youth.\n\nOn February 5, 1928, during a battle, José gave his horse to his commander General Guizar Morfin when the general's horse was killed, saying \"My general, take my horse and save yourself. You are more needed than I.\" José was captured by government forces.\n\nIn prison, he encouraged fellow prisoners and wrote touching letters to his mother. The soldiers tortured him to force him to renounce his faith. They cut the soles of his feet and forced him to walk on salt, then to the cemetery for execution.\n\nEach step, José cried out \"Viva Cristo Rey!\" (Long live Christ the King!). At the graveside, they stabbed him with bayonets. When asked to renounce Christ to save his life, he shouted louder \"Viva Cristo Rey!\" He was shot on February 10, 1928, at age 14. Before dying, he drew a cross in the dirt and kissed it.","miracles":["Showed supernatural courage and joy during torture","His witness converted several of his captors","Miraculous cure of Ximena Sánchez from tuberculosis through his intercession","His martyrdom strengthened the faith of countless Cristeros","Letters from prison showed wisdom beyond his years","His blood marked the ground where he died, unable to be washed away"],"imageUrl":"https://page.gensparksite.com/v1/base64_upload/0443dfd6fb7359f8cfed1fb3b8a5a7ed","imageAttribution":"Icon of San José Luis Sánchez del Río by Unknown (21st Century). Unknown. Paint on wood panel","orderByDate":1928}