Today, we commemorate the feast of St Óscar Romero, the Archbishop of San Salvador and a fearless advocate for the poor and oppressed. It was on this day, 45 years ago, that Romero was assassinated while celebrating Mass at the Chapel of the Divine Providence in San Salvador, a moment that transformed him into a global symbol of justice and faith.

Romero’s journey to becoming the “voice of the voiceless” was deeply shaped by his friendship with Jesuit priest Rutilio Grande SJ, whose life was devoted to defending El Salvador’s marginalised communities. Grande’s assassination in 1977 catalysed Romero’s commitment to social justice, prompting him to speak out boldly against the oppression of El Salvador’s poor. As Pope Francis described it, Romero was “Rutilio Grande’s miracle,” a testament to how Grande’s death stirred Romero’s conscience and deepened his resolve.

His life exemplified the Jesuit call to “faith that does justice,” echoing the words of St. Ignatius of Loyola, who taught that love is best expressed through action. Declared a martyr by Pope Francis and canonised in 2018, his legacy continues to inspire movements for social justice worldwide. His feast day invites us to reflect on how we, too, are called to confront systems of injustice and stand in solidarity with the marginalised.

To deepen your understanding of Romero’s enduring impact, we invite you to explore several insightful resources:

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Thinking Faith

Visit Thinking Faith, the online journal of the Jesuits in Britain, to find a collection of articles on Romero's legacy.

- “Transfigured by justice” – Bishop Nicholas Hudson considers how Romero used elements of the gospel accounts of the Transfiguration as lenses through which to reflect on the situation of the people he served. Read >>

- “Starting from the world of the poor” – Martin Maier SJ traces Romero’s personal transformation up to the moment of his martyr’s death in the middle of a sermon on 24 March 1980. Read >>

- “The people's saint” – This article examines who Romero was, his impact on the Church in El Salvador, and the circumstances of his assassination. Read >>

- “The Continuing Presence of Archbishop Romero” – Rodolfo Cardenal SJ writes about the legacy of the martyr who declared, “if they kill me, I will rise again in the people of El Salvador.” Read >>

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The Way

Discover two articles from The Way, the international journal of contemporary Christian spirituality, published by the Jesuits in Britain:

- “Oscar Romero, Religion and Spirituality” – J. Matthew Ashley marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of Oscar Romero’s martyrdom. Read>>

- “The Crucified People: Óscar Romero and Martyrdom” – Ambrose Mong reflects on Romero’s life and the significance of his martyrdom. Read>>

‍Review by Fr Frank Turner SJ

Fr Frank Turner SJ has offered a compelling review for the Romero Trust of a new volume of essays that highlights how Romero put Catholic Social Teaching into practice. You can read the full review here.

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As we mark the 45^th anniversary of his martyrdom, we are reminded that Romero’s life and death were not in vain. His witness continues to challenge us to keep the “rumour of God” alive in a world where the cry of the poor still echoes.