St. José Luis Sánchez del Río: The 14-Year-Old Martyr Who Defied Death | Viva Cristo Rey (10 Feb)
- Preacher
- Sensus Fidelium
- Tradition
- Roman Catholic
- Published
- Length
- 7:18
About this sermon
On this day of rejoicing, the Church celebrates the canonization of St. José Luis Sánchez del Río, a martyr of the Cristero War and a saint for our times. Born in 1913 in Michoacán, Mexico, José Luis was only 13 years old when the Cristero War erupted — a brutal persecution against the Catholic faith. Though just a boy, he begged to fight for Christ the King, declaring: “Never has it been so easy to obtain heaven. I don’t want to lose the opportunity.” Serving as a flag bearer and trumpeter under General Prudencio Mendoza, José Luis showed heroic humility and courage. When the general’s horse was killed in battle, José Luis gave him his own — an act that led directly to his capture. What followed was a testimony of supernatural strength. Imprisoned in a desecrated church, tortured, forced to watch executions, flayed on the soles of his feet, and made to walk to his death, José Luis never wavered. He forgave his executioners, urged them to repent, and refused to deny Christ the King. When ordered to shout “Death to Christ the King,” he answered only: “¡Viva Cristo Rey!” On February 10, 1928 (Candlemas), at just 14 years old, St. José Luis Sánchez del Río was martyred for the Catholic faith. He was beatified by Pope Benedict XVI in 2005 and canonized as a saint of the Church. His life reminds us of Christ’s words: “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.” May his fearless witness strengthen us to stand firm in a world of illusion, compromise, and fear. St. José Luis Sánchez del Río, pray for us. ¡Viva Cristo Rey! 00:00 – Scripture Reading & Opening Prayer 00:26 – Canonization of a New Saint 00:38 – Who Was St. José Luis Sánchez del Río? 01:17 – The Cristero War Explained 01:39 – “Never Has It Been So Easy to Obtain Heaven” 02:07 – Serving as a Flag Bearer 02:47 – Giving His Horse to the General 03:10 – Capture and Defiance 03:18 – Forced to Witness Execution 03:45 – Imprisoned in a Desecrated Church 04:32 – Letter to His Family 04:54 – Torture and the Walk to Martyrdom 05:17 – Forgiveness of His Executioners 05:32 – “Viva Cristo Rey” 05:55 – His Death at Age 14 06:06 – Beatification and Canonization 06:18 – Lessons for Catholics Today 07:04 – Final Prayer and Invocation For more please visit http://www.latinmassomaha.org/sermons & remember to say 3 Hail Marys for the priest 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 Support Catholic Businesses here - https://sensusfidelium.com/catholic-businesses/ Sensus Fidelium Press - https://sensusfideliumpress.com/ Sensus Fidelium Apps - https://sensusfidelium.tv/ Support Sensus Fidelium - https://sensusfidelium.com/donate-support/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 #StJoseLuisSanchezDelRio #VivaCristoRey #CatholicMartyr #CatholicSaints #CristeroWar #CatholicFaith #CatholicMasculinity #Martyrdom #ChristTheKing #TraditionalCatholic #FearlessFaith #SaintsForOurTimes
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