Miraculous Rosary Stories

The Rosary and St. José Sánchez del Río

During the persecution of the Church in Mexico, young José Sánchez del Río was captured at age 14 after joining the Cristeros as a flag bearer. In prison, he was seen praying the rosary daily, strengthening himself for the trial to come. On February 10, 1928, his captors cut the soles of his feet and forced him to march through town toward his execution. Along the way, José clutched his rosary and prayed, refusing every demand to renounce his faith.

At the cemetery, before being stabbed and shot, he shouted with his last breath: “¡Viva Cristo Rey! ¡Viva Santa María de Guadalupe!” (“Long live Christ the King! Long live Holy Mary of Guadalupe!”). His courage and devotion to the rosary became a symbol of faith under persecution.

Canonized in 2016, St. José is now venerated as a martyr who shows the power of prayer, especially the rosary, to give strength in the face of death.

—Source: https://dioceseoftrenton.org/news/st-jose-sanchez-del-rio-and-a-little-child-shall-lead-them