St. Óscar Romero
Archbishop of San Salvador during the Salvadoran civil war. Initially perceived as a quiet conservative, he was transformed by the assassination of his Jesuit friend Fr. Rutilio Grande and became a fearless advocate for the poor and victims of state violence. He was assassinated at the altar while celebrating Mass on March 24, 1980, the day after delivering a homily appealing directly to soldiers to stop killing their fellow Salvadorans.
Life & Times
Also known as: Óscar Arnulfo Romero y Galdámez; Saint Romero of the Americas · Born: August 15, 1917 · Died: March 24, 1980 · From: Ciudad Barrios, San Miguel; San Salvador, El Salvador.
Patronage
St. Óscar Romero is invoked as the patron of el salvador, the americas, persecuted christians, catechists, advocates for the poor. Those in these callings or circumstances often turn to this saint in prayer.
“If they kill me, I will rise in the Salvadoran people.”— Interview with Mexican journalist José Calderón Salazar, two weeks before his assassination (March 1980)
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About Catholic Saints
Catholic saints, including St. Óscar Romero, are Christians whom the Catholic Church has formally recognized as having lived lifes of heroic holiness and who now dwell with God in heaven, offering an example of faith for those still on their earthly journey. Catholics don't worship saints, but ask them to pray to God with us and for us — much as one might ask a trusted friend to pray for them — trusting that those closest to God can join their voices to ours before Him. Discover more saints in the Catholic Shop Saints section.