The Child Martyrs of Tlaxcala.

Cristobal was born in 1514 as the son of an indigenous leader, and considered the heir of his father Chief Acxotecatl, over his 3 brothers.

Antonio was born in 1516 as the grandson of the noble Xiochtenacti and was considered his heir.

Juan was born in 1517, was of humble origins, and worked as Antonio’s servant.

Cristobal and Antonio had converted to Catholicism after learning about the faith from missionaries of the Order of Friars Minor who were providing their education.  Antonio’s servant, Juan, followed likewise as they were great friends.

Cristobal’s father did not want to send his favorite son to the Franciscan school but was convinced when the Franciscans and his other sons persuaded him to do so.  The son’s original name was unknown in the native Nahuatl language by the mission but while baptized, he chose the name Cristobal, meaning ‘Christ Bearer.” The Chief did not give much importance to his son’s spirit of evangelism but could tolerate it no longer when his son began breaking the Nahua religious symbols in their home.  He grew infuriated and one of his wives urged him to kill Cristobal, so he didn’t inherit the throne with the new faith.

After a tribal party, the Chief remained alone with his son Cristobal, and grabbing him by the hair, threw him to the ground and beat him so badly that he broke the child’s skull and arms.  As he was being tortured, Cristobal called on God and offered forgiveness to his father.  Instead of showing mercy, his father had him burned at the stake over a bonfire.  He did not pass right away and died the next morning in his mother’s arms at the age of 13.  Cristobal had told him that although he wanted to inherit his father’s kingdom, that now he would inherit an even greater one. 

His father buried his remains in a room of the house where it might not be discovered but was soon apprehended for the murder by the Spaniards who sentenced him to death.  The Franciscan friar Andrea found his remains and had them exhumed.

From their early childhood, Antonio and Juan both attended school together and volunteered as interpreters and guides for the Franciscans even after they were warned of dangers they might face.  They began to detest the native rituals, and Juan was beaten to death with clubs by a group of his people who saw him as a threat to their customs.  In an act of loyalty to his servant, Antonio ran to his aid and was killed in the act.  At the ages of 12 and 13, they died alongside each other.

The bodies of both teenagers were thrown off a cliff, but the Dominican friar Bernardino recovered them and moved them Tepeaca.

All three gave their lives for Faith when they refused to recant their commitment to Jesus.

They are the patron saints of Tlaxcala, Mexican children, and people ridiculed for their piety.

Their feast day is September 23.

For God’s Glory.