You can tell the people that if they succeed in killing me, that I forgive and bless those who do it. Hopefully, they will realize they are wasting their time. A bishop will die, but the church of God, which is the people, will never perish. - Oscar Romero
A gift to the people of God
"I do not believe in death without Resurrection. If they kill me, I will rise again in the people of El Salvador." - Saint Oscar Romero
St. Oscar Romero - What a gift to the people of God!!
Ever since I heard of the canonization of Archbishop Oscar Romero of EL Salvador, I knew that I wanted to write a blog about him. And, as I puzzled over what aspect I would choose, I was fortunate enough to meet a man from El Salvador, now living in Canada, who had worked along with “Monsenor Romero,” and was in his presence the day before he died and attended his funeral. This man, let me call him Pedro, is very familiar with the economic and political struggles of his country, with the constant tensions between left and right wing politics not only in the government, but also powerfully dividing the Catholic Church. Moreover, my embryonic friendship with Pedro afforded me a glimpse into his eye witness accounts of the life of Oscar Romero.
Initially, Pedro’s sharing focused on the continuous, intense struggles of the Salvadoran people of God against the powerful forces of oppression in the government, in the armed forces and in the media which resulted in appalling fear, increasing poverty and escalating targeted deaths. Pedro was associated with the church groups that formed under Romero’s courageous leadership and contributed to the possibility of hope and positive change. Eventually, in our short conversation, Pedro moved from the big picture to the presence of Romero amidst his country’s suffering yet hope filled people. He focused on Romero’s courageous Gospel based words spoken and broadcasted throughout the country, which brought hope and courage to thousands, as well as on the simplicity of his life style and his humility.
I was particularly touched when Pedro recounted the attentiveness Romero showed towards others. He gave the example of being at a meeting where an older woman arrived, and the only empty chair was designated for the mayor of the town who had not yet arrived. Pedro described how Romero encouraged this woman to sit in the chair while another one was brought for the mayor. This is one small example of why Romero was revered not only for his courage and deep faith, but especially for his constant love of the poor.
At his last retreat, St. Oscar Romero made this note in his journal: “it is not easy to accept a violent death, which is very possible in these circumstances, and the Apostolic Nuncio to Costa Rica warned me of imminent danger just this past week ... my attitude should be to hand my life over to God regardless of the end to which that life might come … I shall feel God very close as I draw my last breath; but that more valiant than surrender in death is the surrender of one’s whole life – a life lived for God.”
St. Oscar Romero Presente!!
- Mabel St. Louis, csj
Archbishop Oscar Romero of San Salvador will be proclaimed Saint this Sunday, October 14, 2018.