The youngest saint of the Catholic Church is very difficult to find due to several reasons. We have a list of six young saints based on the records available from the earliest centuries, but these six saints are believed to be some of the youngest known Catholic saints.
1. St. Jacinta Marto
Died at the age of 10 due to influenza just three years after seeing visions of an angel and Our Lady while tending sheep in Fatima, Portugal.
2. St. Francisco Marto
A sibling of St. Jacinta was also one of the three children blessed with a vision of Our Lady of Fatima. St. Francisco died at the age of 11 due to influenza.
3. St. Maria Goretti
Was just 11 years old when she died as a result of stab wounds from an attacker. She adamantly refused his advances to maintain her purity.
4. St. Tarcisius
Is known as a “martyr of the Eucharist” because at the age of 12 he was beaten by a gang of boys when he refused to hand over the Holy Eucharist that he was transporting.
5. St. Kizito
Was the youngest of the Martyrs of Uganda and was burned alive for his faith at the age of 14.
6. St. José Luis Sánchez del Rio
Was another young martyr for the faith. He died at the age of 14 saying, “I will never give in. Vivo Cristo Rey y Santa Maria de Guadalupe!”