The Enduring Faith of Jose Luis Sanchez del Rio, Patron Saint of Religious Freedom

10 May 2024

He was just a teenager, caught in the crosshairs of a conflict that pitted faith against ideology. Yet, even as his world crumbled around him, his spirit remained unbroken. This is the story of Jose Luis Sanchez del Rio, a young man whose courage and unwavering faith in the face of persecution led him to sainthood.

Born in 1913 in Sahuayo, Mexico, Jose Luis grew up during a tumultuous period. The Mexican Revolution had ushered in an era of anti-clericalism, and the Catholic Church faced severe persecution. Despite the growing hostility, Jose Luis’s faith flourished. He was known for his piety, his devotion to the Eucharist, and his unwavering belief in the power of prayer.

When the Cristero War erupted in 1926, pitting Catholic rebels against the anti-religious Mexican government, Jose Luis felt a profound call to action. Despite his youth, he yearned to defend his faith and his right to practice it freely. Initially, his mother refused, arguing that he was too young for war. Undeterred, Jose Luis famously pleaded, “Mama, don't you see that it's one God, one faith, one baptism? If I die on the battlefield, I'll go straight to Heaven, but if I stay with you, who knows if I'll be damned?" His passion and conviction eventually swayed his parents, and he joined the Cristeros.

Serving under General Prudencio Mendoza, Jose Luis quickly earned a reputation for his bravery and unwavering faith. He refused to carry a gun, believing that his rosary was his greatest weapon. Instead, he served as a flag bearer, a symbol of hope and resistance for the Cristeros. During a particularly fierce battle, Jose Luis’s general was captured. Seeing his leader in danger, Jose Luis valiantly charged into the fray, shouting “Viva Cristo Rey!” (Long live Christ the King!). He was captured and imprisoned.

His captors, determined to break his spirit and make an example of him, subjected Jose Luis to unimaginable torture. They demanded he renounce his faith, promising him freedom and a comfortable life. But Jose Luis’s faith proved unbreakable. With each torment, he grew stronger, his resolve solidifying. Even the opportunity to escape, offered by his imprisoned godfather, did not sway him. He refused to abandon his fellow prisoners or betray his beliefs.

Finally, on February 10, 1928, Jose Luis was marched to the local cemetery. His captors had grown tired of his defiance. They offered him one last chance to renounce his faith. Jose Luis refused. As his executioners prepared to shoot him, he cried out once again, “Viva Cristo Rey!” With that final act of defiance, Jose Luis Sanchez del Rio, a fourteen-year-old boy who refused to surrender his faith, became a martyr.

Jose Luis Sanchez del Rio’s story is a powerful testament to the strength of faith, even in the face of unimaginable adversity. He is a symbol of courage, resilience, and unwavering conviction. In 2005, he was beatified by Pope Benedict XVI, recognizing his martyrdom and paving the way for his canonization. Then, on October 16, 2016, in a ceremony at the Vatican, Pope Francis declared Jose Luis Sanchez del Rio a saint, forever cementing his place in the hearts of the faithful and solidifying his legacy as a patron saint of religious freedom.

His story serves as a source of inspiration for people around the world, particularly for young people who are navigating the complexities of faith and identity in a challenging world. He reminds us that faith is not passive; it is a call to action, a call to stand up for what we believe in, even when it is difficult. He teaches us that true strength lies not in physical might, but in the unwavering courage of our convictions.

For those facing religious persecution, Jose Luis stands as a beacon of hope, a testament to the enduring power of faith to overcome even the darkest of times. His story reminds us that we are not alone in our struggles, that even in the face of overwhelming odds, the human spirit, fueled by faith, can triumph.