We remember today Oscar Romero (15 August 1917 – 24 March 1980) a Catholic archbishop of El Salvador and modern day martyr.

Romero knew he wanted to be a priest when he was just a boy. His local school only provided classes through third grade, but he was tutored by a teacher until he went to the minor seminary at age thirteen. He eventually studied at the Gregorian University in Rome where he was ordained and went on to study spiritual theology before returning to El Salvador. He served as a priest until in 1970 he became a bishop and in 1977 archbishop.

Romero was regarded as a conservative priest and bishop until Rutilio Grande, a Jesuit priest and personal friend of Romero, was assassinated.  Romero became an outspoken advocate for the poor, for social justice and against assassination and torture. His position infuriated the El Salvadoran Government.  On March 24, 1980, Romero celebrated mass at a hospital chapel. As he finished his sermon, a gunman entered the chapel and shot him in the heart. Around a quarter of a million people attended his funeral on March 30. During the funeral gunfire broke out killing at least 31 people.

Martyrs aren’t just people from long ago. To take a stand for what the faith teaches–like God’s concern for the poor–can be dangerous even today. Where the church would be without heroes like Archbishop Romero and the many martyrs who went before him? What can we hope to achieve without the courage to stand up for the Lord in whom we believe?

Read Matthew 16:24-25 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Wayne