Viva Cristo Rey! The Cry of St. José Sánchez del Río Catholic Faith

23 Jun 2024

St. Jose Sanchez del Rio: Child Soldier and Martyr of the Cristero War

Who shouts "Viva Cristo Rey!" in the face of death? Not many. But that's exactly what José Sánchez del Río did. Born in 1913, this Mexican teenager's life was brutally cut short in 1928 during the Cristero War, a time when the Mexican government was actively suppressing the Catholic Church. José's story is a whirlwind of faith, persecution, and ultimately, martyrdom, making him a powerful symbol of Catholic resistance and unwavering belief.

Imagine a time when simply practicing your faith could get you killed. That was reality in Mexico during the Cristero War. The government, attempting to control religious expression, shut down churches, persecuted priests, and targeted devout Catholics like José. He was just a teenager, but his commitment to his faith was anything but childish.

José, wanting to defend his beliefs and his right to practice them, joined the Cristeros, a group of Catholic rebels fighting for religious freedom. While his parents worried about the dangers, they couldn't deny the fire in their son's heart. He was determined, even at such a young age, to stand up for what he believed in, no matter the cost.

And the cost was high. José was captured during a battle. His captors, hoping to break his spirit and make an example of him, tortured him horrifically. But through it all, José remained steadfast. His faith didn't waver; instead, it seemed to grow stronger with every lash of the whip, with every threat. Even in the face of unimaginable pain, he refused to renounce his faith.

The climax of José's story is both tragic and inspiring. On February 10, 1928, after days of torture, he was marched to a graveyard. His captors, enraged by his unwavering spirit, made him walk barefoot on salt, cutting his feet, and forcing him to walk to his own makeshift grave. Even then, with every step a testament to his agony, José's spirit didn't break. As they prepared to execute him, he cried out, "Viva Cristo Rey!" — "Long live Christ the King!"— and with that final act of defiance, he was murdered.

José Sánchez del Río's story, while rooted in a specific time and place, resonates deeply within the Catholic Church and beyond. He's a testament to the power of faith, especially in the face of adversity. His unwavering courage, particularly as a teenager facing unimaginable cruelty, serves as an inspiration to Catholics worldwide, reminding them that even in the darkest of times, faith can be a beacon of hope and strength.

In 2016, the Catholic Church recognized José Sánchez del Río's sacrifice and unwavering faith by canonizing him as a saint. St. José Sánchez del Río, the boy martyr, is now held up as a model of courage, faith, and devotion. His story serves as a powerful reminder that even in the face of persecution, one's faith can be a source of unimaginable strength and resilience. His cry, "Viva Cristo Rey!," continues to echo through time, a testament to the enduring power of faith and the human spirit's capacity for unwavering belief.

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