St. Oscar Romero
1917-1980
📅 Feast Day: Mar 14
📖 Life Timeline
1917
Born in August 15, 1917 AD, El Salvador
1917
Born Oscar Arnulfo Romero y Galdamez on Aug 15, 1917 in Ciudad Barbera, El Salvador
1942
n Ciudad Barbera, El Salvador
1973
ador in 1970, then Bishop of Santiago de Maria in 1973
1977
Rutilio Grande, S
1980
Died — March 24, 1980 AD, San Salvador (assassinated)
2018
Canonized — 2018 by Pope Francis
✝ Biography
Born Oscar Arnulfo Romero y Galdamez on Aug 15, 1917 in Ciudad Barbera, El Salvador. Ordained priest in 1942. Appointed Auxiliary Bishop of San Salvador in 1970, then Bishop of Santiago de Maria in 1973. Initially a conservative prelate, he transformed when his friend Rutilio Grande, S.J. was assassinated on Mar 11, 1977 for denouncing government atrocities. Romero became Archbishop of San Salvador on Feb 23, 1977. During the civil war, he used his Sunday homilies (broadcast nationally) to denounce military repression, torture, and murder of civilians, priests, and nuns. Named and shamed military commanders. Said: 'If I am killed, I shall rise again within this people who is invoked with courage and hope.' Founded the Radio Veritas to broadcast human rights information. Received death threats but refused to stop. Assassinated on Mar 24, 1980 while celebrating Mass at the Hospital of the Divine Providence, shot by a military assassin. Beatified in 2015, canonized in 2018 by Pope Francis. Patron of human rights defenders and journalists in Central America.
🛡 Patronage
Patron of: Central America, human rights defenders, the oppressed, journalists, and those who speak truth to power.
💬 Words of the Saint
If I am killed, I shall rise again within the heart of the Salvadoran people.
📜 Key Facts
Born
August 15, 1917, Ciudad Barera, El Salvador
Died
March 24, 1980 AD, San Salvador (assassinated)
Feast Day
Mar 14
Canonized
2018 by Pope Francis
🕊 Legacy
Romero's martyrdom exposed the Salvadoran civil war to the world. His 449 sermons are a testament to prophetic courage. He is a hero of the liberation theology movement and human rights defenders worldwide.
📜 Personal Writings
Read excerpts from the saint's own words — their personal letters, spiritual writings, and teachings.
📖 Homilies and Letters
On the Poor
The Church must be the Church of the poor. For us who preach the Gospel, it is an obligation to be on the side of the oppressed. The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church. We must not be silent in the face of injustice. We must speak truth to power.
— St. Oscar Romero
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