Courageous Witnesses · Week 3 · Grades 6–8
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.
Why a war began
José was born on March 28, blank 1, in Sahuayo, Michoacán, Mexico. His parents were ranchers. He rode horses, played games, and prayed the Rosary every day.
In blank 2, the Mexican government passed harsh laws against the Catholic Church. Priests could not wear their robes in public. Many were put in prison or killed. Churches were closed, and Catholics could not go to Mass.
This is called blank 3: treating people badly, or even killing them, because of what they believe. Many Catholics rose up to fight for their freedom. They were called Cristeros because their battle cry was “¡Viva Cristo Rey!”, “Long live Christ the King!”
José’s life
Write what happened in each year.
| Year | What happened |
|---|---|
| 1913 | Write your answer |
| 1926 | Write your answer |
| 1927 | Write your answer |
| 1928 | Write your answer |
| 1928 | Write your answer |
| 1929 | Write your answer |
| 2005 | Write your answer |
| 2016 | Write your answer |
Three choices
José was 13 when he begged to join. His mother said no. He told her, “Mama, it has never been easier to earn heaven than now.” General Prudencio Mendoza finally let him join as blank 4. He also played the bugle and cared for the horses.
On February blank 5, 1928, the general’s horse was killed in battle. José gave him his own horse so he could escape. José was captured.
Soldiers held him in his own parish church, which had become a jail. They said he could live if he said, “Death to Christ the King.” He refused. On February blank 6, 1928, they killed him. He was 14.
Check the cause
Why did the Cristeros fight the Mexican government? Circle one.
- A To win more land for their ranches
- B To make their general the president
- C To join Mexico to another country
- D To be free to practice their faith
Why is that the right answer?
Check the story
What was José’s main role among the Cristeros? Circle one.
- A He led soldiers into battle
- B He carried the flag
- C He wrote the general’s letters
- D He guarded the prisoners
Why is that the right answer?
Before or after?
José was captured on February 6, 1928. Sort each event. Check one box for each.
| Item | Before he was captured | After he was captured |
|---|---|---|
| He prays the Rosary every day at home in Sahuayo | ||
| He writes a letter to his mother | ||
| He plays the bugle and cares for the horses | ||
| He is held in his own parish church | ||
| His mother tells him he may not join | ||
| He refuses to say words against Christ the King | ||
| He encourages another Cristero prisoner to be brave |
Check the reason
The soldiers offered to free José if he said a few words. Why did he refuse? Circle one.
- A He did not understand what they asked
- B He expected the Cristeros to rescue him
- C He would not deny Christ to save himself
- D He thought the soldiers were only joking
Why is that the right answer?
Just a few words
José was told a few words would save him, and he would not say them. Online, where are you pushed to say, post or like things you do not believe? What would staying faithful look like there?
Think: my idea before we talk
Sentence starters: “One place I feel that pressure is ...”“Staying faithful there would look like ...”“What makes it hard is ...”“José’s example suggests ...”
Pair: something my partner said
Let us pray
Lord Jesus, Christ our King, you are worthy of all our love.
Give us courage to be faithful in small things and in great ones.
Make our words true, in person and online.
St. José Sánchez del Río, pray for us.
Amen.
My own prayer or intention:
Well done!
José was 14. His choices show that young people can be faithful and brave.
One thing I learned today:
One question I still have:
How could the example of St. José Sánchez del Río shape the way I live, online and offline?
Challenge: Before you post, comment or forward anything this week, ask: would I stand behind these words in front of Christ the King?