St. José Sánchez del Río

St. José Sánchez del Río was born on 28 March 1913 at Sahuayo in Michoacán, Mexico, and died a martyr on 10 February 1928, at just fourteen years of age. He grew up during the fierce government persecution of the Church in Mexico, which provoked the Cristero uprising of Catholics who rallied under the cry 'Viva Cristo Rey!' ('Long live Christ the King!'). Though only a boy, José begged to join the Cristeros and served as a flag-bearer and helper to the fighters.

Captured after giving up his own horse to save a commander, he was imprisoned and pressured to deny his faith to save his life. He refused, and was subjected to brutal torture — the soles of his feet were cut and he was forced to walk on salt — yet he would not renounce Christ, calling out 'Viva Cristo Rey!' even as he was killed. Beatified in 2005 and canonized in 2016 by Pope Francis, he is honored as a young martyr and a witness to the kingship of Christ.