CatholicSaints.Info

Also known as

• Christopher
• Cristobalito

Memorial

• 23 September

Profile

Son of a pagan tribal chief. Convert to Christianity. Educated at the first Franciscan school in Tlaxcala. Beaten and then martyred by order of his father for refusing to deny his faith. One of the Three Child Martyrs of Tlaxcala.

Born

• c.1514–1515 in Atlihuetzía, Tlaxcala, Mexico

Died

• burned to death in 1527 at Tizatlán, Tlaxcala, Mexico

Venerated

• 3 March 1990 by Pope John Paul II (decree of martyrdom)

Beatified

• 6 May 1990 by Pope John Paul II

Canonized

• 15 October 2017 by Pope Francis
• canonization recognition celebrated at Saint Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City, Italy presided by Pope Francis

Readings

With great joy I have also proclaimed as Blessed the three child martyrs of Tlaxcala: Cristobal, Antonio and Juan. At a tender age they were drawn to the words and witness of the missionaries and they became helpers, as catechists for other indigenous people. They are sublime and instructive examples of how evangelization is a task of all God’s People, excluding no one, not even children. With the Church in Tlaxcala and in Mexico, I am pleased to be able to offer all of Latin America and the universal Church this example of child-like piety, of apostolic and missionary generosity, crowned by the grace of martyrdom. – from the beatification homily of Pope John Paul II

MLA Citation

• “Saint Cristobal of Tlaxcala“. CatholicSaints.Info. 21 January 2023. Web. 25 April 2024. <>