“Viva Cristo Rey”

José Luis Sánchez del Río was a Mexican Cristero who was put to death by government officials because he refused to renounce his Catholic faith. His death was seen as a largely political venture on the part of government officials in their attempt to stamp out dissent and crush religious freedom in the area. He was dubbed “Joselito.”

It was later reported that José was captured by government forces, who ordered him to renounce his faith in Christ, under threat of death. He refused to accept apostasy. To break his resolve, he was made to watch the hanging of another Cristero that they had in custody, but instead José encouraged the man, saying that they would soon meet again in Heaven after death. In prison, José prayed the Rosary daily and wrote an emotional letter to his mother, saying that he was ready to fulfill the will of God to whom he dedicated himself. His father attempted to raise a ransom to save him but was not able to appease the government in time to do so, thus failing to secure the release of his son. Others recalled the gruesome events that transpired after the government’s failure to break José’s resolve on the evening of February 10, 1928: “Consequently they cut the bottom of his feet and obliged him to walk around the town toward the cemetery.  They also at times cut him with a machete until he was bleeding from several wounds. He cried and moaned with pain, but he did not give in. At times they stopped him and said, ‘If you shout, “Death to Christ the King “we will spare your life’. José would only shout, ‘I will never give in. Viva Cristo Rey!'”

Saint Jose, littlest soldier of Christ, whose last bloody steps brought you to the arms of our Lady and our Lord, keep healthy and strong the steps of our Lord’s soldiers who remain here on earth, so that they may have your strength to endure and preserve to the end.
Amen

A Catholic Pilgrimage; The Word Pilgrim comes from the Latin word peregrinum, which conveys the idea of wandering over a distance. A Pilgrimage is a Spiritual Journey to a Sacred site for the purpose of honoring God and experiencing transformation. It can be a physical or a faith journey. A Pilgrimage is never truly finished because the pilgrim seeks to encounter something deeper and come back changed. We invite individuals, Youth Groups, Parish Ministries and all to come and visit and venerate the Relics of Blessed Carlo Acutis, Saint Maria Goretti, and Saint Jose Sanchez Del Rio. Groups and individuals interested in completing a pilgrimage to the parish are encouraged to contact the office staff.