Sunday, October 16, 2016

A wonderful new saint for our times ... St. José Sánchez del Río


San Joselito

“José Sánchez del Río was born on 28 March 1913 in Sahuayo, in the State of Michoacán, Mexico. At the outbreak of the so-called “Cristero War” in 1926, his brothers joined the rebel forces fighting the violent anti-Christian regime which had been established in the country. José too was enlisted. Catholicism flourished in Sahuayo and for this reason the “Cristeros” were deeply rooted in the area. Priests secretly remained in Sahuayo throughout the persecution and never abandoned the faithful, clandestinely celebrating the Eucharist and administrating the sacraments, at which young José assiduously participated.


“In those years, the first Christian martyrs were often spoken of and many young people wanted to follow in their footsteps. During a violent battle on 25 January 1928, José was captured and brought to his city of birth, where he was imprisoned in the parish church which had already been desecrated and laid waste by federalists. It was suggested that he flee in order to avoid being sentenced to death, but he refused. - Finish reading here.

If anyone knows the name of the painter who did this image of San Jose, please let me know.  Thanks. 

10 comments:

  1. It's breathtaking. Thank you for sharing.

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  2. What a beautiful portrait of Joselito! May he intercede and watch over Mexico. May he watch over and through his intercession safeguard Mexican priests and the faith of the people.

    Viva Cristo Rey! Viva la Virgencita de Guadalupe!

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  3. I am not at all a fan of this painting. He looks too old, and not at all what the photos of him depict. And the blue jeans??? No. Just no.

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  4. Terry,

    I just read that San Joselito's remains are incorrupt 80 years after his death. From this picture, as in the beautiful painting, he is wearing jeans!

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jos%C3%A9_S%C3%A1nchez_del_R%C3%ADo#/media/File:SanchezdelRioXochi.JPG

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    Replies
    1. @Yaya,
      The body of San Joselito is not incorrupt. The photo is of a wax statue that it often mistaken to be his incorrupt body. His bones are kept in a silver reliquary at a side altar in the Church of Saint James the Apostle in Sahuayo, Michoacán: http://santiagoapostolshy.wixsite.com/parroquia/beato-jos-snchez-del-ro?lightbox=image_uhi

      There are photos online of when the bones were taken out of the reliquary for examination, including the skull with the bullet hole.

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    2. According to the link Terry gave regarding San Joselito, the blogger claims his remains are incorrupt. And yes, I know that is a wax figure on display oh SJ.

      San Joselito ruega por nosotros.

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  5. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  6. @Terry,

    The painter is René Martínez Valadez. Here is an interview with him in Spanish: http://elobservadorenlinea.com/2016/10/que-joselito-sea-inspiracion-y-modelo-de-fe-para-las-nuevas-generaciones/

    His Facebook page has several posts about the painting: https://www.facebook.com/people/Rene-Martinez-Valadez/100000847527601

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    Replies
    1. Many thanks Gustavo - I just found another image of San Jose that he painted - he is a masterful painter!

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