The immersion group in front of the National Palace
Over Spring Break, fourteen students and two professors went on the El Salvador Encounter Program with the faith-based organization Christians for Peace in El Salvador (CRISPAZ). During the trip, we visited several martyrial sites. We honored the four churchwomen: Maura, Ita, Dorothy, and Jean; we paid our respects to the Jesuits, their housekeeper, and her daughter at the José Simeón Cañas Central American University (UCA); we prayed at the Divine Providence Chapel (Hospitalito) for Archbishop Romero; and we mourned and celebrated the lives lost in Arcatao.
During our homestay in Arcatao, we met many Salvadorans who survived the Civil War (1979-1992), and we learned the legacies of those who did not. We learned about present-day El Salvador, and we witnessed a mayoral election. We stayed with families and listened to their stories.
We celebrated mass at The Metropolitan Cathedral of the Holy Savior in San Salvador. This is where Archbishop Romero presided, and it is where he is buried today. During the mass, I took a moment to reflect in my journal. I share an excerpt with you:
Right now, we are at Mass at the Cathedral where Óscar Romero served as Archbishop – and where his body is laid to rest. The priest is giving a homily, but I am moved to write. Let’s be real. I’m not a good listener even when the Mass is said in English.
Andy (our leader from CRISPAZ) told us the construction of this cathedral took 40 years. In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells the people to destroy the temple– and it will be rebuilt. In 3 days. The people are so confused because it took 46 years to build the temple: how could it be rebuilt in only 3 days?
This made me think about where I am. The pew that I’m sitting in in a cathedral that took 40 years to build. And this beautiful country – a place of immense hope in the resurrection and the coming of the Kingdom.
This is a beautiful place, and I don’t mean aesthetically (though it is), but I mostly mean the spirit. These are beautiful people. Andy and Sonia (our house mother) – I already love them. They have kind hearts and immense hope.
Gracias a Díos que estoy aquí.
Students prayed at the tomb of Archbishop Romero
In El Salvador, we met people doing the best they could with what they had, continuing the mission of Romero, the churchwomen, the Jesuits and their housekeeper, and the civilian martyrs. Ultimately, we witnessed the mission of Christ. I pray that I emulate the lives and the works of the lay ecclesial ministers, the feministas, the advocates, the activists, the fighters, and the survivors. May we not forget what we learned and those we met.
The group visited Monseñor Romero’s House & the Divine Providence Chapel (Hospitalito), place where Mons. Romero lived during his time as Archbishop of San Salvador, and where he was shot.