St. José Luis Sánchez del Río (1913 - 1928) was only 12 years when the Cristero War began in Mexico. This war was to extinguish Catholicism. José wanted to join the army along with his elder brothers to fight for the church. He begged his mom saying: "Mama, do not let me lose the opportunity to gain Heaven so easily so soon". During the battle when the general lost his horse, José gave up his own horse. Later the enemies captured him and cut the bottom of his feet and told him to walk to the cemetery. José recited the rosary, prayed for his enemies, and sang songs to Our Lady of Guadalupe, despite being cut with a machete several times on his way to the cemetery. At the age of 14 he died as a martyr.
St. José help us to have a burning desire to forego everything for heaven.
Patron of: Persecuted Christians, Children, Adolescents
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