This new title in the acclaimed Vision Books lives of the saints series for youth 9-15 yrs. brings to life the inspirational story of St. José Sánchez del Río, a 14 yr. old boy in Mexico who died a martyr for the Catholic faith during the Cristero War in the 1920s.
Meet young José and his friend Trino as the war breaks out in their hometown of Sahuayo. Follow José through his own struggles as the violence escalates, up to his joining the Cristero army in 1927 to fight for freedom of religion. Captured by government forces, José refused to deny his faith in exchange for his freedom. Tortured and forced to march to his grave, he cried out, “Viva Cristo Rey!” (Long live Christ the King) José died as he had lived, a hero.
Inspired by this young martyr to become a priest himself, Father McKenzie spent ten years researching and writing José’s story. The result is a riveting tale of a young man’s bravery and passion for God. Drawing on all existing sources, including never-before-seen documents from the Vatican and the Mexican Government, Saint José plunges the young reader into a country at war, not over territory, but over the right to worship God freely.
Canonized in 2016 by Pope Francis, St. José is one of the newest and youngest saints of the Catholic Church, and an inspiration to people from all walks of life. He shows us that our faith is worth fighting and dying for. His example is a powerful catalyst for young people today, so many of whom are tempted to never commit themselves to any serious calling in life.
Available on Audible
Why I Wrote The Book
I’ll never forget that day. It was sixth grade. Brother Eric, a seminarian, was substitute-teaching religion class. But instead of the usual catechism lesson, he told us the story of a Mexican boy who was martyred for his faith and never stopped shouting, “Long live Christ the King!” Hearing about this fourteen-year-old boy, explosions went off in my twelve-year-old heart. If José could give his life for God, then I could do something for God too. Inspired by him, I joined the seminary, one of the best decisions I ever made. Thank you, José!
When I looked for more about José, I couldn’t find a single book about him in English.
That was 1993. In 2004, I decided it was time for me to put his story in writing. This bookis the result of ten years of research, during which time I obtained copies of what I believe to be every historical document ever written about José.
The main source for information on his life is the document prepared for his beatification process and given to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints in Rome. It is called a Positio, and contains a biographical sketch, witnesses’ testimony, and anything written by José. My other main sources were the two most extensive books written about José, Los Gallos de Picazo o los Derechos de Dios by Father Luis Laureán Cervantes, and Vida, Muerte, y Beatificatión del Niño Mártir José Sánchez del Río by Father Javier Villaseñor Castellanos.
We also have a few telegrams written by Federal and Cristero Generals about the three battles and skirmishes in which José took part.
The first was the battle of Los Cutos as described in chapter 24. The second was the raid by Federal troops during Mass as described in chapter 25. The third was his capture during an ambush by Federal troops on February 5, 1928.
I could have used the results of my ten years of research to write a history book. But I wanted the life of Saint José to come alive for young people as it came alive for me when I first heard his story. So I took all the research I had done and put it together in dramatized form.
We have only two letters and very few actual quotes from José. Many parts of his life are simply not mentioned by the witnesses. To write a cohesive story, I used everything we have, and then filled in the blanks. Sometimes I relied on local legend, at other times I made connections of my own, and often I just had to put myself in the mindset of a fourteen-year-old boy again.
I would like to thank Emilio Martínez for his research and my mom, Theresa McKenzie, for hers. Many thanks as well to my dad, Bill McKenzie, for his many proofreads. Thanks, too, to all those who have helped edit and proofread, especially Lisa Cusmano, Father Daniel Brandenburg, and the editors at Ignatius Press. You all helped make it a much better book! Thanks as well to Father Joel Castañeda, Father Juan Pablo Ledesma, Father Luis Manuel Laureán, Father Nicholas Sheehy, Father Randall Meissen, Father Paul Alger, Father James Perez, and my sister Marianne for their help and advice.
Discovering the story of José’s life has been a rewarding adventure. I hope he comes to life in these pages for you, the reader, as he has for me. He is a powerful intercessor and heavenly friend, and an inspiration for us all. Viva Cristo Rey!
Kevin McKenzie 