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The patron for the Youth Guild of the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe is Saint José Sánchez del Río, the 14-year-old from Mexico who, for the witness of his Catholic Faith, was imprisoned, tortured, and martyred as he shouted out his final words, “¡Viva Cristo Rey! ¡Viva la Virgen de Guadalupe!” which means, “Long live Christ the King! Long live the Virgin of Guadalupe!”
Since the Church has declared him the patron of children, teenagers, and persecuted Christians, his example is especially powerful. He is a great saint for young people under the mantle of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and the perfect patron for the Shrine's Youth Guild.
“Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 19, 14)
The Youth Guild of Saint José Sánchez del Río accepts memberships from toddlers to teenagers (younger and older accepted too). Youths are encouraged to register themselves, if possible, yet parents and grandparents may also register children and grandchildren. Registration information is below.
Members of the Youth Guild receive three very important benefits:
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On the Feast Day of Saint José Sánchez del Río, February 10, the Shrine will host a special Mass for the youth guild, at the conclusion of which the celebrant will bless guild members with a first-class relic of Saint José Sánchez del Río.
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The youths enrolled in the Guild are remembered in the Prayers of the Faithful daily during Holy Mass.
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As members are commended to the special intercession of Saint José Sánchez del Río, each guild member receives a medal of the young saint.
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Beginning in January 2022, members receive monthly editions of the Shrine’s new youth journal, Full of Grace.
GUILD MEMBERSHIP
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Full of Grace - a New Youth Journal
The Full of Grace Youth Journal highlights aspects of the Catholic Faith that are inspirational and educational to today’s youths. Each youth journal features the following:
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A new young saint for each month
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Pope Saint John Paul II’s letters to youth
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Scripture commentary and catechesis
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Holy cards
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A new Bible verse to memorize that month
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Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary
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Q&A with Cardinal Burke and Father Check
Youth Guild Medals
His Eminence, Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke, commissioned that the official Saint José Sánchez del Río Medal be designed by an Italian craftsman who makes religious medals in his studio in Italy! Every member of the Youth Guild receives a medal of the guild’s young patron.
The front of the medal features a likeness of the 14-year-old saint, martyred during the Cristero War. At the top of the front of the medal are the words, “Saint José Sánchez del Río.” The back of the medal displays the Coat of Arms of the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe. “Pray for us” are the words at the top of the back of the medal while those same words mark the bottom, though in Spanish: “Ruega por Nosotros.”
