The story of Saint José Sánchez del Río, affectionately known as “Joselito,” is one that shakes the heart and, at the same time, illuminates the path of faith. He was born in 1913 in Sahuayo, Michoacán, in a Mexico marked by religious persecution during the Cristero War (1926–1929). In those difficult years, the Church was persecuted, many temples were closed, and the faithful had to live their faith with courage and, at times, in secrecy.
Despite being only a teenager, Joselito showed extraordinary spiritual maturity. At just 14 years old, he asked to join the Cristero ranks, not to seek revenge or glory, but to defend what he held most sacred: his faith in Jesus Christ and his love for the Virgin of Guadalupe. His firmness of character astonished the adults around him.
Captured by federal forces, he suffered terrible tortures. The soles of his feet were torn off, and he was forced to walk to his place of martyrdom. Nevertheless, he never denied Christ. His last words, according to testimonies, were a cry that echoed in heaven and continues to echo in hearts:
“Long live Christ the King and Holy Mary of Guadalupe!”
Pope Francis canonized him in 2016, recognizing in him not only the value of martyrdom but also the witness of a youthful, strong, and hope-filled faith.
Today, Saint José Sánchez del Río is an example for teenagers and young people who, like him, live in a world full of challenges and temptations. His life reminds us that holiness is not a matter of age but of love for God and a firm decision to live faith with coherence.
For Mexico, Joselito is a national pride: a simple boy who, with his courage, showed that greatness is not found in strength or power, but in love and fidelity to Christ. His memory invites all of us, young and old, to ask ourselves: How do we live our faith today? Are we able to defend it and bear witness to it with courage?
Saint José Sánchez del Río remains alive in the faith of the Church and in the heart of the Mexican people as a call to holiness. May his intercession inspire new generations to follow the same path of love and self-giving.
