At 10:00am local time today, in the Plaza of the Divine Saviour of the World in San Salvador (El Salvador), the Mass of Beatification of Archbishop Óscar Arnulfo Romero y Galdámez, who was born on August 15, 1917 in Ciudad Barrios (El Salvador) and who died a martyr, having been killed for the faith on March 24, 1980 in San Salvador, was celebrated. The principal celebrant of the Mass was Cardinal Angelo Amato, Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, who represented the Pope.
The Holy Father sent a Letter to His Excellency, José Luis Escobar Alas, the current Archbishop of San Salvador and President of the Episcopal Conference, marking the ceremony of Beatification.
His Eminence, José Luis Escobar Alas
Archbishop of San Salvador
President of the Episcopal Conference of El Salvador
Dear brother,
The beatification of Archbishop Óscar Arnulfo Romero Galdámez, who was Pastor of that beloved Archdiocese, is a reason for great joy for all Salvadorans and for those who rejoice at the example of the greatest sons of the Church. Archbishop Romero, who built peace through the power of love, bore witness to the faith with his life which was given in the extreme.
The Lord never abandons his people in their difficulties; he always cares for our needs. He sees oppression, he hears the cries of his children's pain and comes to their aid, delivering them from oppression and leading them to a new land which is fertile and abundant: a land of milk and honey (cf Ex 3:7-8). Just as he one day chose Moses and instructed him to act in His name and guiding his people, he continues to raise up pastors according to his own heart, who feed his flock with knowledge and with prudence (cf Jer 3:15).
In that beautiful Central American land, bathed by the Pacific Ocean, the Lord granted his Church a zealous Bishop who by loving God and serving the brothers and sisters, was converted into an image of Christ the Good Shepherd. In times of difficult coexistence, Archbishop Romero knew how to lead, defend and protect his flock, remaining faithful to the Gospel and in communion with the whole Church. His ministry was distinguished by a particular attention to the poor and the marginalized. At the moment of his death, while he celebrated the Holy Sacrifice of love and reconciliation, he received the grace to identify himself fully with Christ who gave his life for his sheep.
On this feast day for the Salvadoran nation, and also for neighbouring Latin American countries, we give thanks to God because he granted the martyred Bishop, the ability to see and hear the suffering of his people, and moulded his heart so that, in His name, he could direct them and illuminate them, even making of his work a full exercise of Christian charity.
The voice of the newly Blessed continues to resonate today to remind us that the Church, a convocation of brothers surrounding their Lord, is the family of God, in which there should be no division. Faith in Jesus Christ, when understood well and when its final consequences are assumed, generates communities which are builders of peace and solidarity. This is what the Church in El Salvador,in America and in the whole world is called to today: to be rich in mercy and to convert into the leaven of reconciliation for society.
Archbishop Romero invites us to sanity and reflection, to respect for life and harmony. We must renounce the violence of the sword, of hate and live the violence of love, that left Christ nailed to the Cross, that makes each one of us overcome selfishness so that there may be no more such cruel inequality between us. He knew how to see and experienced in his own flesh the selfishness that hides itself in those who do not wish to give up what is theirs for the benefit of others. And, with the heart of a father, he would worry about the poor majority, asking the powerful to convert weapons into sickles for work.
May those who have Archbishop Romero as a friend of faith, those who invoke him as a protector and intercessor, those who admire his image, find in him the strength and courage to build the Kingdom of God, to commit to a more equal and dignified social order.
This is a favourable moment for true national reconciliation in answer to the challenges we are facing today. The Pope shares your hopes, and unites Himself to your prayers so that the seed of martyrdom may flourish and become entrenched in the true paths of the sons and daughters of that nation, which proudly hears the name of the divine Saviour of the World.
Dear brother, I ask of you a favour: that you pray and that you ask others to pray for me, while I impart my Apostolic Blessing to all who are united in various ways to celebrate the newly Blessed.
Fraternally yours,
Francis
From the Vatican
23 May 2015
The Holy Father sent a Letter to His Excellency, José Luis Escobar Alas, the current Archbishop of San Salvador and President of the Episcopal Conference, marking the ceremony of Beatification.
Letter of the Holy Father, Pope Francis
for the Beatification of Oscar Romero
His Eminence, José Luis Escobar Alas
Archbishop of San Salvador
President of the Episcopal Conference of El Salvador
Dear brother,
The beatification of Archbishop Óscar Arnulfo Romero Galdámez, who was Pastor of that beloved Archdiocese, is a reason for great joy for all Salvadorans and for those who rejoice at the example of the greatest sons of the Church. Archbishop Romero, who built peace through the power of love, bore witness to the faith with his life which was given in the extreme.
The Lord never abandons his people in their difficulties; he always cares for our needs. He sees oppression, he hears the cries of his children's pain and comes to their aid, delivering them from oppression and leading them to a new land which is fertile and abundant: a land of milk and honey (cf Ex 3:7-8). Just as he one day chose Moses and instructed him to act in His name and guiding his people, he continues to raise up pastors according to his own heart, who feed his flock with knowledge and with prudence (cf Jer 3:15).
In that beautiful Central American land, bathed by the Pacific Ocean, the Lord granted his Church a zealous Bishop who by loving God and serving the brothers and sisters, was converted into an image of Christ the Good Shepherd. In times of difficult coexistence, Archbishop Romero knew how to lead, defend and protect his flock, remaining faithful to the Gospel and in communion with the whole Church. His ministry was distinguished by a particular attention to the poor and the marginalized. At the moment of his death, while he celebrated the Holy Sacrifice of love and reconciliation, he received the grace to identify himself fully with Christ who gave his life for his sheep.
On this feast day for the Salvadoran nation, and also for neighbouring Latin American countries, we give thanks to God because he granted the martyred Bishop, the ability to see and hear the suffering of his people, and moulded his heart so that, in His name, he could direct them and illuminate them, even making of his work a full exercise of Christian charity.
The voice of the newly Blessed continues to resonate today to remind us that the Church, a convocation of brothers surrounding their Lord, is the family of God, in which there should be no division. Faith in Jesus Christ, when understood well and when its final consequences are assumed, generates communities which are builders of peace and solidarity. This is what the Church in El Salvador,in America and in the whole world is called to today: to be rich in mercy and to convert into the leaven of reconciliation for society.
Archbishop Romero invites us to sanity and reflection, to respect for life and harmony. We must renounce the violence of the sword, of hate and live the violence of love, that left Christ nailed to the Cross, that makes each one of us overcome selfishness so that there may be no more such cruel inequality between us. He knew how to see and experienced in his own flesh the selfishness that hides itself in those who do not wish to give up what is theirs for the benefit of others. And, with the heart of a father, he would worry about the poor majority, asking the powerful to convert weapons into sickles for work.
May those who have Archbishop Romero as a friend of faith, those who invoke him as a protector and intercessor, those who admire his image, find in him the strength and courage to build the Kingdom of God, to commit to a more equal and dignified social order.
This is a favourable moment for true national reconciliation in answer to the challenges we are facing today. The Pope shares your hopes, and unites Himself to your prayers so that the seed of martyrdom may flourish and become entrenched in the true paths of the sons and daughters of that nation, which proudly hears the name of the divine Saviour of the World.
Dear brother, I ask of you a favour: that you pray and that you ask others to pray for me, while I impart my Apostolic Blessing to all who are united in various ways to celebrate the newly Blessed.
Fraternally yours,
Francis
From the Vatican
23 May 2015
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