Honoring Saints During Hispanic Heritage Month

San José Sánchez del Río

This first weekend of Hispanic Heritage Month, we look at San José Sánchez del Río. He was a Mexican Cristero who lived in the early 1900s. He was put to death in 1928 by Mexican government officials for not renouncing his Catholic faith. He was 14 years old. His death was seen as a largely political venture on the part of government officials in their attempt to stamp out dissent and crush religious freedom in the area in his time. He was beatified in 2005 by Pope Benedict XVI and canonized in 2016 by Pope Francis. His feast day is February 10. He is the patron saint of persecuted Christians, children, adolescents, and Sahuayo in Michoacán, Mexico. San José Sánchez del Río, ruega por nosotros! 

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Saint Rose of Lima

Saint Rose of Lima is a Spanish woman who lived in Peru in the 1500’s. She is most remembered for her piety and chastity. She was also known for her beauty and often found herself overwhelmed by suitors. To deter this, Saint Rose cut her hair short and even rubbed her face with pepper. She desired to be a nun, which her parents opposed. In response, Saint Rose kept herself cloistered in her room in protest. Saint Rose was beatified by Pope Clement IX in 1667 and canonized by Pope Clement X in 1671. Her feast day is August 23, although her birthday is often celebrated in Peru, which is on August 30. She is the patroness of embroiderers, gardeners, florists, those who suffer ridicule for their piety, and people who suffer from family problems.