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Oil Dedicated to Child Martyrs of Tlaxcala

Child Martyrs of Tlaxcala, two of the children Our Lady appeared to at Fatima, canonized by Pope Francis as saints on May 13. But many folks are not aware that that the Holy Father also canonized three other children that day. These kids came from Mexico and martyred for their faith in 1527 and 1529.

The people of Tlaxcala were very “religious” and superstitious. They worshipped many gods, bowed down to numerous idols and even practiced polygamy. The Catholic missionaries had a challenge on their hands. They decided that the best way to begin teaching the gospel was by gathering the sons of the caciques (Indian chiefs) and the peasants as their first students.

The Indian chief had agreed to send his three younger sons to the Franciscan school. But he refused to let Cristobal go. The boy was next in line to succeed his father and Acxotecatl did not want his son’s mind turned against his heritage. Cristobal’s brothers told Father Motolinia that he and some of his friars should convince the Indian chief to send the boy to their school. They were successful.

At first Cristobal’s father thought that his boy was just repeating things he heard and did not really believe he meant them. He was sure the boy would eventually reject these strange ideas. But Cristobal, determined to get his father to take him seriously, began smashing idols in their home and pouring out their pulque. Acxotécatl forgave Cristobal at first, but when the boy did not obey his father’s wishes, Acxotécatl knew he must take the boys life away from him.