The Brave 14-Year-Old Who Chose Christ Over His Life

The soldiers cut the skin from the bottoms of his feet.

Then they forced him to walk on salt.

With every agonizing step, they demanded that he renounce Jesus Christ.

But the boy refused.

His name was Saint José Sánchez del Río.

He was only 14 years old.

Born in Sahuayo, Mexico, José grew up in a deeply Catholic family. Even as a child, he prayed the Rosary daily, spent time before the Blessed Sacrament, and encouraged other children to love their faith.

When anti-Catholic laws began to persecute the Church in Mexico, many faithful Catholics joined the Cristero movement to defend their religious freedom.

José was only 12 when the conflict began.

He begged his mother to let him join.

When she refused, he answered:

«“Mama, do not let me lose the opportunity to gain Heaven so easily and so soon.”»

Eventually, he was accepted as a flag bearer and later became an aide to a Cristero general.

During a fierce battle in 1928, the general’s horse was shot. Without hesitation, José gave the general his own horse and helped him escape.

Soon after, José was captured.

The soldiers chained him and threw him into prison.

While imprisoned, he wrote a letter to his mother:

«“Trust in God’s will. I die happy because I am dying next to our Lord.”»

His captors tried everything to break him.

They tortured him.

Humiliated him.

Forced him to watch the suffering of other prisoners.

Still, he remained faithful.

Finally, they cut the skin from the soles of his feet and forced him to walk through the streets toward his execution.

With every step, he cried out:

«“Long live Christ the King! Long live Our Lady of Guadalupe!”»

On February 10, 1928, after enduring unimaginable suffering, José was wounded with a machete and then shot to death.

He was only 14 years old.

The government hoped his death would frighten Catholics into silence.

Instead, his courage inspired generations.

In 2016, Pope Francis canonized him as a saint.

Saint José Sánchez del Río reminds us that courage is not measured by age.

Sometimes the strongest faith is found in the youngest hearts.

Saint José Sánchez del Río, pray for us.

Source: Fear Not