José Luis Sánchez del Río was the third of four children born in Michoacán, Mexico. Grwoung up, José loved his faith and had a strong devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe. When he was 12, the Cristero War began as a result of the the Mexican government wanting to extinguish the the Catholic Church. In accordance with anti-clerical laws in the Mexican Constitution, soldiers began executing priests, seizing Church property, and closing religious schools and convents. José's brothers joined the rebel forces, but he was repeatedly told he was to young to join them.
 
But José desperately wanted to be a Cristero and have the chance to stand up for his faith. He begged his mother to let him join, saying, "Mama, do not let me lose the opportunity to gain Heaven so easily so soon." The rebel general, Prudencio Mendoza, finally allowed José to become the flagbearer of the troop. Little José's nickname was by the Cristeros was "Tarcisius", after the saint martyred for protecting the Eucharist.
 
On January 25, 1928, General Mendoza's horse was killed in the battle and José gave his for the general so that the fight could continue. José sought cover, firing at the enemy troops until he ran out of ammunition and was ultimately captured by the government troops. They imprisoned him in the sacristy of the local church where he was ordered to renounce his faith in Christ. Even under the threat of death, José refused. He was then forced to watch the hanging of another Cristero. Instead of breaking his resolve, José encouraged the man, telling him they would meet again soon in Heaven.
 
On February 10, 1928, after realizing they would not break José's faith, the government troops cut the bottom of his feet and forced him to walk around the town toward the cemetery. During his walk, José recited the rosary, prayed for his enemies, and sang songs to Our Lady of Guadalupe, despite being cut with a machete several times. When he would cry out in pain, they told him if he shouted, "Death to Christ the King," they would spare his life. Instead, José would shout, "I will never give in! Viva Cristo Rey y Santa Maria de Guadalupe (Long live Christ the King and Holy Mary of Guadalupe)!" At the age of 14, St. José Luis Sánchez del Río died as a martyr on February 10, 1928.
 
This print is part of the "Happy Saint" collection by Anna Morelli.
 
The image is professionally printed, hand-signed by the artist, and comes enclosed in a plastic sleeve to ensure protection.