St. Jose Sanchez del Rio Novena
Contents
Show HideSt. Jose Sanchez del Rio was a Mexican martyr from the early 1900s. He was only fourteen years old at the time of his death. He was a very courageous child.
St. Jose Sanchez del Rio refused to renounce his faith to save his life. You can use this novena to seek intercession from this courageous saint in many aspects of your life.
About St. Jose Sanchez del Rio
Jose Sanchez del Rio was born in 1913 in western Mexico. When he was young, he attended school near his home. He later attended school in Guadalajara.
Around this time, the government began seizing the properties of the Church and restricting the religious freedom of Catholics. Anti-clerical laws were also added to the Mexican Constitution.
In 1924, Plutarco Elias Calles took office as president of Mexico. He targeted the Catholic Church specifically. Religious schools and convents were closed, and priests were forced to leave the country in exile or be executed.
In 1926, the Cristero War broke out. Jose’s brothers zealously joined the rebel forces, and Jose wanted to join them. Since Jose was still very young, his mother refused to allow him to fight. The general leading the rebel forces also refused to allow him to fight.
But Jose was insistent that he wanted the opportunity to lay down his life for Jesus. He saw dying in the fight against anti-Catholicism as a martyrdom and longed to gain heaven through it. The general eventually relented and allowed Jose to become a flagbearer.
The other Cristero fighters nicknamed Jose “Tarcisius” after the early Christian boy who laid down his life to save the Eucharist from desecration.
During some fighting in 1928, Jose was near another soldier whose horse was killed from under him. Jose bravely gave the other soldier his own horse so the soldier could escape on it. Jose found cover and began shooting at the enemy until running out of ammunition. After he ran out, he was captured by the enemy.
Jose was imprisoned and ordered to renounce his faith. His captors told him he would be killed if he did not renounce his Catholic faith, but Jose refused to apostatize.
Jose’s captors attempted to break his determination by forcing him to watch the execution of another Cristero. But instead, Jose encouraged the other prisoner to hold fast. He told the man that they would see one another again in heaven.
While he was in prison, Jose prayed the Rosary each day. He also wrote to his mother to tell her he was ready to die for God.
Jose’s captors then attempted to break his resolve through torture. They cut his feet and forced him to walk through town. They cut other areas of his body with a machete until he moaned and cried in pain. They told him they would stop and spare his life if he said “Death to Christ the King.” But he refused, answering, “I will never give in. Viva Cristo Rey!”
St. Jose Sanchez del Rio’s Feast Day: February 10th
Why Pray the St. Jose Sanchez del Rio Novena?
St. Jose Sanchez del Rio is the patron saint of children and adolescents. You can pray this novena to seek his intercession if you are a child or an adolescent. Or you can pray this novena to seek his intercession for someone you know who is a child or an adolescent.
St. Jose Sanchez del Rio is also the patron saint of persecuted Christians. You can pray the St. Jose Sanchez del Rio Novena if you are being persecuted for your faith. Or you can pray this novena for someone you know who is being persecuted for their faith.
You can pray the St. Jose Sanchez del Rio Novena for any intention!
St. Jose Sanchez del Rio Novena Prayers
St. Jose Sanchez del Rio Novena - Day 1
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for giving us St. Jose Sanchez del Rio as an example of holiness. We ask You to hear all of our petitions that he brings before Your throne.
St. Jose, your childhood was interrupted by anti-Catholic persecution from the Mexican government. Though you were very young when you saw the atrocities that were being committed against Catholics, you were full of zeal for your faith.
Please bring all of our petitions before God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that all children may have holy and happy childhoods.
Pray for us, that we may do all we can to grow in love for God each day. Pray that we may never hesitate to serve God worthily, no matter the cost.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Jose Sanchez del Rio, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Jose Sanchez del Rio Novena - Day 2
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for giving us St. Jose Sanchez del Rio as an example of holiness. We ask You to hear all of our petitions that he brings before Your throne.
St. Jose, you lived in a time of great persecution. Your government specifically targeted Catholics. Because of the evil actions of your government, you wished to join the rebellion and to fight for Jesus.
Please bring all of our petitions before God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that all government leaders may be virtuous and just in their rule.
Pray for us, that we may do all we can to practice virtue in every area of our lives. Pray that we may always be eager to fight for what is right.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Jose Sanchez del Rio, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Jose Sanchez del Rio Novena - Day 3
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for giving us St. Jose Sanchez del Rio as an example of holiness. We ask You to hear all of our petitions that he brings before Your throne.
St. Jose, you saw firsthand how dangerous life can be when religious freedom is restricted. Your government actively persecuted Catholics and tried to drive Catholicism from Mexico during your childhood and early adolescence.
Please bring all of our petitions before God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that freedom to practice the faith may be allowed throughout our world.
Pray for us, that we may always be eager to serve God in whatever ways He calls us to. Pray that we may never hesitate to stand up for the faith, no matter the cost.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Jose Sanchez del Rio, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Jose Sanchez del Rio Novena - Day 4
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for giving us St. Jose Sanchez del Rio as an example of holiness. We ask You to hear all of our petitions that he brings before Your throne.
St. Jose, your government brutally persecuted Catholics and tried to drive Catholicism out of Mexico. You saw the evil that was being inflicted on those of your faith, and you longed to fight against those who were inflicting this evil.
Please bring all of our petitions before God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that all persecuted Christians may be given strength and relief from their sufferings.
Pray for us, that we may never hesitate to fight against evil at every opportunity. Pray that we may serve God more wholeheartedly each day of our lives.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Jose Sanchez del Rio, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Jose Sanchez del Rio Novena - Day 5
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for giving us St. Jose Sanchez del Rio as an example of holiness. We ask You to hear all of our petitions that he brings before Your throne.
St. Jose, you lived in a time of persecution and danger for Catholics. You saw your government targeting those of your faith, and you courageously chose to fight for the sake of the faith.
Please bring all of our petitions before God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that we and all people may have the courage we need for holiness.
Pray for us, that we may seek to grow in virtue at every opportunity God gives us. Pray that we may do all we can to hold steadfast to our faith, even when it is very difficult.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Jose Sanchez del Rio, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Jose Sanchez del Rio Novena - Day 6
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for giving us St. Jose Sanchez del Rio as an example of holiness. We ask You to hear all of our petitions that he brings before Your throne.
St. Jose, you saw many Catholics suffering persecution for the faith under the Mexican government. When your brothers chose to fight in the rebel forces, you followed their example and fought for your faith.
Please bring all of our petitions before God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that we and all people may grow in zealousness for the faith.
Pray for us, that we may always be eager to serve God and His Church in whatever ways He calls us to. Pray that we may grow closer to God each day of our lives.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Jose Sanchez del Rio, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Jose Sanchez del Rio Novena - Day 7
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for giving us St. Jose Sanchez del Rio as an example of holiness. We ask You to hear all of our petitions that he brings before Your throne.
St. Jose, you were captured and imprisoned because of your Catholic faith. Your captors treated you very cruelly and tried to make you renounce your faith. Despite painful torture, you persevered in your faith.
Please bring all of our petitions before God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that we and all people may grow in the perseverance we need for holiness.
Pray for us, that we may do all we can to advance in virtue and holiness. Pray that we may serve God more wholeheartedly each day of our lives.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Jose Sanchez del Rio, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Jose Sanchez del Rio Novena - Day 8
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for giving us St. Jose Sanchez del Rio as an example of holiness. We ask You to hear all of our petitions that he brings before Your throne.
St. Jose, you were treated very cruelly by your captors on account of your faith. They tried to make you renounce your faith by showing you another man’s execution, but you instead set a holy example and exhorted the man to remain steadfast.
Please bring all of our petitions before God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that we may always be a holy example to those around us.
Pray for us, that we may make use of every opportunity God gives us to grow in holiness. Pray that we may grow to a deeper love of God each day of our lives.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Jose Sanchez del Rio, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. Jose Sanchez del Rio Novena - Day 9
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for giving us St. Jose Sanchez del Rio as an example of holiness. We ask You to hear all of our petitions that he brings before Your throne.
St. Jose, you lived in a time of great persecution for the Church in Mexico. You were eager to fight for the Church against those who were carrying out this persecution. You ultimately gave up your life for the faith.
Please bring all of our petitions before God, and we particularly ask today that you pray that the Church in Mexico and in the whole world may be strong and vibrant.
Pray for us, that we may do all we can to serve God and His Church each day. Pray that we may carry out God’s will in our lives, no matter the cost.
And we especially ask in this novena for (mention your intentions here).
St. Jose Sanchez del Rio, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.