Oscar Romero, Martyr of El Salvador

In addition to being Holy Thursday in the Latin Calendar, today is also the 25th anniversary of the death of Archbishop Oscar Romero of San Salvador. The Boston Globe has a good piece by Richard Higgins, and the BBC has a radio program entitled "Requiem for Romero." If you don't know much about Romero, a good place to start would be the website of the Romero Society. Also, if you're looking to celebrate both Romero and Holy Week, the 1989 film "Romero," starring Raul Julia, is, IMHO, one of the better stories of conversion available in modern film. It's also a Paulist Fathers production (Go Paulists!) -- but one has to think that they got a big chuckle out of prominently displaying the endorsement of Bruce Williamson of Playboy Magazine on the front of the movie poster...

As we continue Holy Week, we might remember Romero and the people of El Salvador in prayer.

All powerful, ever-living God,
you gave Oscar Romero the courage to witness to the gospel of Christ
even to the point of giving his life for it.
By his prayers help us to endure all suffering for the love of you
and to seek you with all our hearts,
for you alone are the source of life.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.