In Tlaxcala, Mexico, in the early 1500s, three indigenous boys embraced Catholicism after encountering Spanish Franciscan friars who were working to convert the locals of the area. Their names were Cristóbal, Antonio, and Juan. Each was martyred for their faith, making them the first Catholic martyrs on the continent.  
 
Cristóbal was born around 1515, the eldest son of his community’s chief. As the chief’s first-born son, he was to inherit the chief’s position, property, and the customs of his people. Cristóbal first encountered the Franciscan friars when he was 10 years old and soon desired to be baptized. After his baptism, he went to work trying to evangelize his family.
 
The Spanish missionaries were attempting to stop the worship of idols among the native peoples. Knowing this, Cristóbal took it upon himself to destroy some public idols in his village. He also poured out the alcohol his family kept because he thought it was his father’s dependence on alcohol that was keeping him from converting to Catholicism. Because of this destruction, his neighbors and family became enraged. They demanded the chief make an example of his son. His father, also furious, beat him with a wooden club and burned him alive. He died the following day of his injuries at age 12.
 
Antonio and Juan were born around 1516. Antonio was the grandson and heir of the prominent leader Xicoténcatl who was lord of the entire region. Juan was Antonio’s servant. Both boys attend a Franciscan school for their education, and both converted to Catholicism at a young age. When they were around 12 years old, they endeavored, with the support of the local Franciscan friars, to travel their local region and evangelize their community.
 
While in the town of Tepeaca, the boys tried to convince some of the locals to destroy their idols. The local men resisted and retaliated by attacking Juan. Antonio, trying to defend him, also got caught in the attack and both children were killed.  
 
All three boys were canonized by Pope Francis on October 15, 2017, and are collectively remembered as the young Martyrs of Tlaxcala.

Prayer

Holy Trinity, I deeply venerate your generosity and infinite majesty, for the firmness that you granted to the children Cristóbal, Antonio, and Juan, who, at the beginning of the evangelization of Mexico, and despite their young ages, were filled with immense love for carrying the word of your kingdom without stopping to think about the fear of suffering.
With their verve and their martyrdom, we inherited an example of an unbreakable and sincere faith. For the preference you had for these children, confer the special grace that, through their intercession, I ask of you (make your request). 
Amen.