Find prayer resources to celebrate the life of Saint Oscar Romero.
"The martyrdom of Saint Oscar Romero, the Archbishop of San Salvador, was a powerful witness and an inspiration for the Church." Dilexi te, Pope Leo XIV
So Jesus said to them, ‘When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he.’
In today’s gospel, Jesus speaks of his coming death – he will be lifted up on the cross and God will turn this symbol of violence and oppression into the means of healing and peace.
Archbishop Oscar Romero was martyred 46 years ago today while celebrating Mass in El Salvador. A prophetic voice for those marginalised and experiencing poverty, Romero refused to stay quiet in the face of injustice and increasing violence in his country, even when his life was threatened. Like Jesus, he anticipated his fate. In an interview, a few weeks before his death, the Archbishop said:
“I have frequently been threatened with death. I should tell you that, as a Christian, I do not believe in death without resurrection. If they kill me, I will rise again in the Salvadoran people. Martyrdom is a grace of God I do not believe I deserve. But if God accepts the sacrifice of my life, may my blood be the seed of liberation and a sign that hope will soon be a reality… A bishop will die, but the church of God – the people – will never die.”
The legacy of St Oscar Romero does indeed live on, not just in the Salvadoran people but in hearts and minds all over the world. As we celebrate this remarkable saint today, may his deep commitment to justice continue to inspire us to work for a better world for all.
Prayer
God of Resurrection,
may the example of St Oscar Romero
turn our hearts towards our neighbours
who face violence and experience poverty.
Inspire within us a yearning for justice,
and help us to build a better world for all people.
Amen.
Act
Use our resources to celebrate the life of Saint Oscar Romero.