Archbishop Oscar Romero: “If they kill me, I shall rise again in the Salvadoran people” Oscar Romero was born on Aug. 15, 1917, in El Salvador. He had six brothers. He entered the seminary when he was 13, studying in El Salvador and Rome. He was ordained in 1942, appointed auxiliary bishop in 1970 and in 1977 he was appointed archbishop of San Salvador. During that time, Romero demonstrated a total commitment to the Salvadoran people, especially to the poor. When some rich benefactors offered a luxurious residence in an upscale neighborhood of San Salvador, he said that if his people had no access to that neighborhood, he did not want to live there. Instead, he chose to live in a very small sacristy in the chapel of the Hospital of Divine Providence. Later, the Carmelite community Mother Superior built a simple house to Archbishop Romero. But he again said he could not live there. This time, however, the Mother Superior said, “Archbishop, I’m not asking if you want to live in this new house. I’m telling you that you will live there. And if you say no, you can no longer continue living here. So, choose either to live in the new house or be out!” With a big smile, Archbishop Romero said, “I cannot argue with Mother Superior; yes, I will live in the house, thank you.” Archbishop Oscar Romero not only lived in solidarity with the poor, but was also the voice of the poor. He spoke against economic and political oppression. He fought for human rights, peasants and workers. When they killed his friend, Father Rutilio Grande, a Jesuit, his prophetic voice only grew louder; then he started receiving threats. But he denounced all the injustices without fear. A few days before his death, in a homily broadcast on the radio, he said: “I would like to appeal in a special way to the army’s enlisted men, and in particular, to the ranks of the National Guard and the police: Brothers, you are part of our own people. You kill your own campesino brothers; before an order to kill that a man may give, God’s law must prevail: Thou shalt not kill. No soldier is obliged to obey an order against the law of God. No one has to fulfill an immoral law.” Then, on Monday, March 24, 1980, the archbishop celebrated Mass at the chapel of the Hospital of Divine Providence, in San Salvador city. During the presentation of the gifts, a man entered the church and shot Archbishop Oscar Arnulfo Romero, ending his life, in the middle of Mass. At the time of his death, he was 62 years old. Today we recognize that he was a martyr and now he is blessed. In the Catholic Church, the process of beatification is a long way in which we say, loudly, that the future saint or blessed has lived a holy life and can be an example for all Catholics. It is a step closer to sainthood. But I want to tell you something very important. Today we celebrate not only the history and memory of Archbishop Romero, but also his legacy. His example of faith, solidarity and humility is extraordinary. His prophetic voice speaks to us today. His message of justice, peace, unity, community and love is in the voice and teachings of our Pope Francis. When Pope Francis talks about the economy or society, or when he talks about respecting the poor and the importance of sharing, caring and loving each other, we know that much of his message had been sowed using the words, the example, and the blood of Archbishop Romero. So, the words of our new blessed martyr continue sounding today through the voice, the teachings and example of Francis, our pope. And we have a responsibility, an obligation by our baptism to put his message into action. We have to be a prophetic voice also, fighting against all injustices and promoting solidarity, peace and love in our neighborhoods, in our family, our church and the world. There, we recognize what Jesus tells us in today’s Gospel: “Holy Father, keep them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one as we are one.” A few days before he was killed, the archbishop said, “If they kill me, I shall rise again in the Salvadoran people.” This is an expression of a powerful and true faith! A faith we share in Jesus, the risen one! “If they kill me, I shall rise again in the Salvadoran people.” Today, on the day of his beatification, we proclaim that thanks to Christ’s resurrection, Archbishop Oscar Romero has resurrected too, not only in the Salvadoran people, but in the teachings of Pope Francis, and hopefully, in the actions of all of us.