On October 15, 2017, St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican was the scene of a historic event for the Catholic community in Mexico and around the world. In a ceremony presided over by Pope Francis, the canonization of Christopher, Anthony, and John, known as the “Boy Martyrs of Tlaxcala,” took place.
These three young men, murdered between 1527 and 1529 for their Christian faith, were elevated to the altars along with 32 other blesseds from Brazil, Spain, and Italy.
The faces of these Mexican saints were displayed on banners hanging from the balconies of St. Peter’s Basilica, highlighting the importance of this moment for the Mexican Catholic community.
The ceremony, which began around 10:00 a.m., brought together thousands of faithful, including a large delegation of pilgrims from Mexico.
According to the context of what happened that day, the Child Martyrs of Tlaxcala were pioneers in the evangelization of the indigenous peoples of the Americas.
Educated by Franciscans, these young men dedicated themselves to promoting the Christian faith in their communities, confronting traditional religious practices that included idol worship. This commitment to their faith earned them hostility from their own families and communities.
Christopher, the eldest of the three, died in 1527 at the hands of his own father, who beat and burned him after being enraged by his rejection of pagan practices.
Antonio and Juan were murdered in 1529 by residents of their villages, who opposed the destruction of idols and the Christian preaching the children promoted.
The canonization of the three young men was, at that time, the culmination of a process that began decades earlier.
The canonization ceremony at the Vatican was attended by an official Mexican delegation, led by the then Deputy Director General for Religious Affairs of the Presidency of the Republic. Also in attendance were the then Governor of Tlaxcala, his family, and his entourage, who accompanied the Mexican pilgrims at this historic moment.
With this canonization, Pope Francis spoke at the time about the importance of martyrs in the history of the Catholic Church, highlighting their role as witnesses to the faith in contexts of persecution and conflict.
The ceremony in St. Peter’s Square not only celebrated the sanctity of these young men but also underscored the lasting impact of their legacy on the global Catholic community.
The canonization of Christopher, Anthony, and John joins the list of Mexican saints recognized by the Catholic Church, further consolidating the deep connection between Mexico and the Vatican. This event, charged with symbolism and emotion, will remain etched in the memory of the faithful as a reminder of the transformative power of faith.
Source: infobae
