Today the Episcopal Church honors and remembers not someone from the Early Church, or an Anglican or an Episcopalian, but a Roman Catholic archbishop from El Salvador who lived during our time, Oscar Romero, who was born on 15 August 1917 and died on 24 March 1980. He is a modern day martyr who became known as the “bishop of the poor” for his work defending the Salvadoran people. After calling for international intervention to protect those being killed by government forces, Romero was assassinated on this day in 1980.
Oscar Romero was born in Ciudad Barrios, a small town in El Salvador . Longing to be a priest, he left home at 14 on his horse and rode to San Miguel, 7 hours away, where he could begin preparing himself for his vocation.
He was ordained in Rome in 1942. Romero remained in Italy to obtain a doctoral degree in theology, but before he could finish his degree, he was summoned back home in 1943 from Italy (which was under the Fascists) by the bishop at the age of 27. He traveled home with Fr. Valladares, who was also doing doctoral work in Rome. On the route home they made stops in Spain and Cuba, being detained by Cuban police for having come from Benito Mussolini's Italy and placed in an internment camp. After several months in prison, Fr. Valladares became sick and some priests of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer helped to have the two transferred to a hospital. From the hospital they were released from Cuban custody and allowed back home, where they sailed for Mexico and then back home to El Salvador.
In El Salvador, Romero worked as a parish priest promoting various groups, including starting an Alcoholics Anonymous group. He was later appointed Rector of the seminary in San Salvador. In 1966, he began his public life when chosen to be the Secretary of the Bishops’ Conference for El Salvador. He also became the director of the archdiocesan newspaper.
In 1970 he was appointed auxiliary bishop to San Salvador Archbishop Luis Chávez y González. He took up his appointment as Bishop of the Diocese of Santiago de María in December 1975.
He spoke out against poverty, social injustice, assassinations and torture. As a result, Romero began to be noticed internationally.
In 1979, the Revolutionary Government Junta came to power amidst a wave of human rights abuses by paramilitary right-wing groups and the government.
Romero was shot on 24 March 1980, while celebrating Mass at a small chapel located in a hospital called "La Divina Providencia", one day after a sermon where he had called on Salvadoran soldiers, as Christians, to obey God's higher order and to stop carrying out the government's repression and violations of basic human rights.
Here is a little trivia: A statue of Oscar Romero sculpted by John Roberts fills a prominent niche on the western facade of Westminster Abbey in London. The statue was unveiled in the presence of Queen Elizabeth II in 1998. Barry Woods Johnston sculpted the statue of Oscar Romero displayed in the National Cathedral (the Episcopal Cathedral of Sts. Peter & Paul) in Washington, D.C.
Let us pray: Almighty God, you called your servant Oscar Romero to be a voice for the voiceless poor, and to give his life as a seed of freedom and a sign of hope: Grant that, inspired by his sacrifice and the example of the martyrs of El Salvador, we may without fear or favor witness to your Word who abides, your Word who is Life, even Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be praise and glory now and for ever. Amen.
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE FOR ALL OF THE WORK LAST NIGHT FOR OUR LENTEN SERIES! This was our first time to host the Lenten Series and to share our home with the people of Grace since 2008. Thank you to everyone, from those who cleaned before, to those who set up the altar, to those who prepared the food, and to everyone who helped clean up. I may be partial, but St. Aug’s does the best food (and I’m glad a few cupcakes and M&Ms found their way in too). THANKS AGAIN!
LENTEN PROJECT -- NETS FOR LIFE! NetsforLife® works to eliminate malaria in some of the most remote areas of sub-Saharan Africa. Churches are often the only functioning institutions in these communities located “at the end of the road.” Episcopal Relief & Development is a key part of this program. Their presence and power unite people to bring about lasting change for the whole community. By drawing on this trusted delivery system—churches and faith-based groups— vulnerable people are reached with life-saving nets and other services. NetsforLife® serves people in need regardless of faith affiliation.
We at St. Augustine’s can help. Each net only costs $12.50; it is a small price to pay to help save someone made in the image and likeness of God. Let’s work toward a goal of 50 nets during this Lenten season and help God in healing the world.
CALENDAR REMINDERS
The next program in the Lenten Series is at Grace, Wednesday, 30 March starting at 6:00 p.m. with Stations of the Cross, followed by the Eucharist. We will then have a light meal and begin the teaching by the Rev. Gena Davis. Please come!
We will have a pot luck lunch for Easter so begin thinking about what to bring.
PLEASE REMEMBER EVERYONE ON OUR PRAYER LIST, especially the men and women of our Armed Forces serving at home and abroad, the people of Japan and Libya.
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550
Oscar Romero was born in Ciudad Barrios, a small town in El Salvador . Longing to be a priest, he left home at 14 on his horse and rode to San Miguel, 7 hours away, where he could begin preparing himself for his vocation.
He was ordained in Rome in 1942. Romero remained in Italy to obtain a doctoral degree in theology, but before he could finish his degree, he was summoned back home in 1943 from Italy (which was under the Fascists) by the bishop at the age of 27. He traveled home with Fr. Valladares, who was also doing doctoral work in Rome. On the route home they made stops in Spain and Cuba, being detained by Cuban police for having come from Benito Mussolini's Italy and placed in an internment camp. After several months in prison, Fr. Valladares became sick and some priests of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer helped to have the two transferred to a hospital. From the hospital they were released from Cuban custody and allowed back home, where they sailed for Mexico and then back home to El Salvador.
In El Salvador, Romero worked as a parish priest promoting various groups, including starting an Alcoholics Anonymous group. He was later appointed Rector of the seminary in San Salvador. In 1966, he began his public life when chosen to be the Secretary of the Bishops’ Conference for El Salvador. He also became the director of the archdiocesan newspaper.
In 1970 he was appointed auxiliary bishop to San Salvador Archbishop Luis Chávez y González. He took up his appointment as Bishop of the Diocese of Santiago de María in December 1975.
He spoke out against poverty, social injustice, assassinations and torture. As a result, Romero began to be noticed internationally.
In 1979, the Revolutionary Government Junta came to power amidst a wave of human rights abuses by paramilitary right-wing groups and the government.
Romero was shot on 24 March 1980, while celebrating Mass at a small chapel located in a hospital called "La Divina Providencia", one day after a sermon where he had called on Salvadoran soldiers, as Christians, to obey God's higher order and to stop carrying out the government's repression and violations of basic human rights.
Here is a little trivia: A statue of Oscar Romero sculpted by John Roberts fills a prominent niche on the western facade of Westminster Abbey in London. The statue was unveiled in the presence of Queen Elizabeth II in 1998. Barry Woods Johnston sculpted the statue of Oscar Romero displayed in the National Cathedral (the Episcopal Cathedral of Sts. Peter & Paul) in Washington, D.C.
Let us pray: Almighty God, you called your servant Oscar Romero to be a voice for the voiceless poor, and to give his life as a seed of freedom and a sign of hope: Grant that, inspired by his sacrifice and the example of the martyrs of El Salvador, we may without fear or favor witness to your Word who abides, your Word who is Life, even Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be praise and glory now and for ever. Amen.
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE FOR ALL OF THE WORK LAST NIGHT FOR OUR LENTEN SERIES! This was our first time to host the Lenten Series and to share our home with the people of Grace since 2008. Thank you to everyone, from those who cleaned before, to those who set up the altar, to those who prepared the food, and to everyone who helped clean up. I may be partial, but St. Aug’s does the best food (and I’m glad a few cupcakes and M&Ms found their way in too). THANKS AGAIN!
LENTEN PROJECT -- NETS FOR LIFE! NetsforLife® works to eliminate malaria in some of the most remote areas of sub-Saharan Africa. Churches are often the only functioning institutions in these communities located “at the end of the road.” Episcopal Relief & Development is a key part of this program. Their presence and power unite people to bring about lasting change for the whole community. By drawing on this trusted delivery system—churches and faith-based groups— vulnerable people are reached with life-saving nets and other services. NetsforLife® serves people in need regardless of faith affiliation.
We at St. Augustine’s can help. Each net only costs $12.50; it is a small price to pay to help save someone made in the image and likeness of God. Let’s work toward a goal of 50 nets during this Lenten season and help God in healing the world.
CALENDAR REMINDERS
The next program in the Lenten Series is at Grace, Wednesday, 30 March starting at 6:00 p.m. with Stations of the Cross, followed by the Eucharist. We will then have a light meal and begin the teaching by the Rev. Gena Davis. Please come!
We will have a pot luck lunch for Easter so begin thinking about what to bring.
PLEASE REMEMBER EVERYONE ON OUR PRAYER LIST, especially the men and women of our Armed Forces serving at home and abroad, the people of Japan and Libya.
Your servant in Christ,
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550
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