Courageous Witnesses · Week 3 · Grades 3–5
Guided Notes: St. José Sánchez del Río
- Name
- Date
- Class
Follow along as your teacher presents. Fill in each section when its slide is on the screen.
St. José Sánchez del Río
A boy from Sahuayo
José was born on March 28, blank 1, in Sahuayo, Mexico. He loved to play games, ride horses, and go to church. He prayed the Rosary every day.
In blank 2, the government of Mexico passed harsh laws against the Catholic Church. Churches were closed, and Catholics could not go to Mass.
José’s two older brothers joined the blank 3. José was only 13, and his mother said no. He told her, “Mama, it has never been easier to earn heaven than now.”
Words to know
Write what each word means.
| Word | What it means |
|---|---|
| Martyr | Write your answer |
| Persecution | Write your answer |
| Cristeros | Write your answer |
| Flag bearer | Write your answer |
| Canonized | Write your answer |
The faithful flag bearer
At last a Cristero general let José join. He was too young to fight, so he carried the flag.
On February blank 4, 1928, the general’s horse was killed in a battle. José gave him his own horse, and José was captured.
The soldiers told José he could live if he said words against Christ the King. He refused. He kept shouting, “¡Viva Cristo Rey!” That means “Long live Christ the King!”
On February blank 5, 1928, the soldiers killed him. He was 14.
Quick check
Why did José give his horse to the general? Circle one.
- A So the general could escape
- B Because the horse was too slow
- C So he could carry the flag
- D Because his mother asked him to
Quick check
What does “¡Viva Cristo Rey!” mean? Circle one.
- A Come and follow the King
- B Christ is with us today
- C Long live Christ the King
- D Let the churches be open
Courage or the crowd?
José stayed faithful when others pushed him to give in. Sort each choice. Check one box for each.
| Item | Courage like José | Going along with the crowd |
|---|---|---|
| Telling the truth when a lie would be easier | ||
| Joining a group chat that makes fun of a classmate | ||
| Leaving a game when players start being cruel | ||
| Sharing a mean video because everyone else did | ||
| Praying before lunch even if someone laughs | ||
| Hiding your faith so you seem cool |
Think, pair, share
José would not say words he knew were wrong, even to save himself. When is it hard to say or type only what is true and good, at school or online?
Think: my idea before we talk
Sentence starters: “It is hard when ...”“One thing I could do instead is ...”“José shows me that ...”
Pair: something my partner said
Let us pray
Lord Jesus, you are Christ the King.
Give us courage to be faithful to you every day.
Help us speak and type only what is true and kind.
St. José Sánchez del Río, pray for us.
Amen.
My own prayer or intention:
Well done!
José was only 14, and he stayed faithful to Christ the King. Pope Francis canonized him on October 16, 2016.
One thing I learned today:
One question I still have:
Challenge: This week, do one brave and kind thing when it would be easier to follow the crowd, in person or online.