12" St. Jose Sanchez del Rio Statue

12" Statue of Niño José del Río

St. José Sánchez del Río ("Joselito) (March 28, 1913 – February 10, 1928) was a 14-year-old Mexican Cristero who was put to death by soldiers of the Mexican Army because he refused to renounce his 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 declared venerable on June 22, 2004, by Pope John Paul II and was beatified  on November 20, 2005, in Mexico. On January 21, 2016, Pope Francis approved a miracle attributed to him, allowing for his canonization; he was made a saint on October 16, 2016.