North American Sanctity: The Child Martyrs of Tlaxcala

While blood was pouring from his body, Cristobal prayed aloud, “My God, have mercy on me, and if you want me to die, may I die; and if you want me to live, deliver me from my cruel father.”

Welcome to "North American Sanctity," a series on holy men and women, boys and girls, saints and those on the road to sainthood, from Canada, the United States, and Mexico. Some will be familiar, others less so; but all are inspiring!

By Kimberly Bruce

“I hope that the example of these beatified children may raise up an immense multitude of little apostles of Christ among the boys and girls of Latin America and the whole world, who may spiritually enrich our society which is so in need of love.” 

The above quote was spoken by Pope St. John Paul II at the beatification ceremony for Saints Cristobal, Antonio, and Juan, known as the Child Martyrs of Tlaxcala (feast day: Sept. 23), in Mexico on May 6, 1990, at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City. At the same Mass Sts. Juan Diego and José Maria de Yermo y Parres were canonized.

“These five blesseds are written in an indelible way in the great epic of Mexican evangelization,” the Holy Father continued. “Their names, inscribed already in heaven, are written from today on in the book of the blessed and in the history of the faith of Christ’s Church.” 

Franciscan education
The young martyrs were close in age. Cristobal was born in 1514; Antonio and Juan were born in 1516. 

Cristobal was the favorite son of Acxotécatl’s, a local leader, and considered his rightful heir. Even though raised in a paganistic culture and family, Cristobal was allowed to be educated by missionaries of the Order of Friars Minor (Franciscans).

Soon Cristobal began to repeat to his father and others what he had been learning from the Franciscans about Christianity. His father did not think much about this at first and even forgave his son for giving offense. That is, until Cristobal, at age 15, broke the family’s home idols on purpose and poured out the pulque (fermented juice of the maguey plant) used in sacrifice to the idols.

“Honor killing”
Infuriated, and believing himself justified in “honor killing” his son for desecration of their idols, Acxotécatl beat Cristobal severely. 

While blood was pouring from his body, Cristobal prayed aloud, “My God, have mercy on me, and if you want me to die, may I die; and if you want me to live, deliver me from my cruel father.”

As he was not yet dead, Cristobal’s father then threw his son into a bonfire. As the hours passed, Cristobal continually invoked God and the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The next day, Cristobal called to his father, “Father, do not think that I am angry; I am very joyful, and please know, that you have done me more honor, than that given to you by your own vassals.” Soon after, Cristobal died.

Pagan rituals
Another child of local importance, Antonio was the grandson of Xiochténacti, one of Tlaxcala’s main rulers, and considered Xiochténacti’s rightful heir. Juan was Antonio’s servant.

Antonio worked as an interpreter for the Franciscans. The more he began to learn about the Catholic faith, the more he detested the pagan rituals of his people. 

Both Antonio and Juan converted to Catholicism, and all three, including Cristobal, were baptized by the Franciscans and taught to evangelize.

Two years after Cristobal’s death, in Tepeaca, Puebla, when Antonio and Juan were 13, Antonio began removing and smashing pagan idols. Juan, caught by local tribesmen who thought him responsible, was struck with terrible blows from their clubs and died instantly.

When Antonio found Juan, he said to the tribesmen, “Why did you kill my companion, who is without fault, instead of myself? I am the one who is taking away your idols.” The men then struck Antonio until he died.

Divine strength
All three boys suffered horribly, yet heroically, for their faith. They did not even waiver when confronted with the prospect of torture and death for their belief in Christ.

Our Lord gave them strength in their time of need, the kind of strength asked for by St. Faustina in her Diary when she prayed:

Jesus give me the strength and wisdom to get through this terrible wilderness, that my heart may bear patiently this longing for You, O my Lord! … I would be in constant astonishment and fear, if You yourself did not set me at peace (Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska, 885).    

The Child Martyrs did remain in peace. Cristobal spoke words of forgiveness towards his father before his death, and Antonio sought to exonerate his deceased servant, Juan, at the peril of his own death.

All three, said Pope Francis, died in odium fidei (in hatred of the faith). Thus, the Pope, on Mar. 23, 2017, dispensed with any miracles normally needed for their canonizations. He canonized Cristobal, Antonio, and Juan in St. Peter’s Square on Oct. 15, 2017.

As stated in a booklet by the Diocese of Tlaxcala: 

With this new recognition, our beatified (child martyrs) will no longer only be venerated in our diocese, rather they will [be] promoted as models of Christian life and intercessors for the universal Church. … That spirituality of the child martyrs should take us (to) live the mission, taking the message of Christ to our relatives, friends, neighbors, colleagues … in our Diocese of Tlaxcala to other places in Tlaxcala and the world.

Child Martyrs of Tlaxcala, Sts. Cristobal, Antonio, and Juan, pray for us!

Next in the series: Blessed Émilie Tavernier Gamelin, Sept. 24.
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