Virtue Voyagers Blog: Saint José Luis Sánchez del Río

Hello, friends!

¡Viva Cristo Rey! Long live Christ the King!

My name is José Luis Sánchez del Río, but my family called me Joselito. I was an ordinary boy from Mexico who loved Jesus, my family, and Our Lady of Guadalupe. I wasn’t famous or powerful, but I wanted to put God first in everything I did.

And that’s what I want to share with you today!

What Does It Mean to Be Humble?

Have you ever wanted to be first, receive all the praise, or prove that you were right?

I’ve felt the temptation to think about myself first, too!

But humility means putting God first, serving others, and remembering that our gifts come from Him. It doesn’t mean thinking you’re worthless. It means recognizing that you don’t have to be the center of attention to do something great.

Sometimes the most loving thing you can do is help someone without expecting a thank-you.

Choosing Jesus Above Everything

When I was fourteen, Mexico was going through a time of religious persecution. I joined the Cristeros to help defend the Catholic faith.

Eventually, I was captured and pressured to deny Jesus. Even though I suffered terribly, I refused to abandon Him.

I cried out:

“¡Viva Cristo Rey!” — “Long live Christ the King!”

On February 10, 1928, I was killed for remaining faithful to Jesus. I was only fourteen years old.

I didn’t choose Jesus because I wanted people to admire me. I chose Him because I loved Him more than anything else.

Years later, the Church canonized me as a saint in 2016.

What Does Humility Look Like at School?

You can practice humility every day!

• Help someone without expecting praise.
• Admit when you’re wrong and apologize.
• Celebrate a friend’s success instead of feeling jealous.
• Use your talents to help others.
• Remember to thank God for your gifts.

You don’t have to be the best at everything. You just have to keep learning to love.

Questions You Might Ask Me

🤔 “Does humility mean thinking I’m not important?”

Not at all! You are precious to God. Humility means knowing your worth without thinking you’re better than others.

🤔 “What if nobody notices when I do something good?”

God sees every act of love, even when nobody else does. Do good because you love Him, not just because you want praise.

🤔 “How can I put God first?”

Start with a prayer each morning. Ask Jesus to help you be honest, kind, and willing to serve others throughout the day.

This Month’s Virtue: Humility

Humility means putting God first, recognizing our gifts as blessings, and choosing to serve others rather than seeking attention for ourselves.

This month, try doing one good deed each day without telling anyone. Let it be a little secret between you and God!

A Prayer for You

Dear Jesus,

Help me grow in humility. Teach me to use my gifts to serve others, admit my mistakes, and celebrate the goodness of my friends. When I want attention or praise, remind me that loving You is more important.

Saint José Luis Sánchez del Río, pray for me!

Amen.

Remember, friends:

You don’t have to be the greatest in the eyes of the world. You only have to be faithful to Jesus.

¡Viva Cristo Rey!

Your friend in Christ,

Saint José Luis Sánchez del Río