Pope to El Salvador pilgrims: Be
encouraged by Saint Óscar Romero
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| Pope Francis meets with pilgrims from El Salvador. Vatican, October 15th.- AFP |
Pope Francis meets with pilgrims from El Salvador, on the
occasion of the canonisation of Salvadorian Saint Óscar Romero.
By Francesca Merlo
In his address on Monday the 15th of
October, Pope Francis greeted four groups separately. He found, for each of
them, a lesson from Saint Óscar Romero, who was canonized in the Vatican one
day before, applicable to their lives.
Example and encouragement
Pope Francis’ first greeting went to his “brothers in the
episcopate”: the bishops of El Salvador - the birthplace of Saint Romero. He
reflected on the fact that Archbishop Romero “knew how to perfectly embody the
image of the Good Shepherd, who gave his life for his sheep.” He specified that
“now, more than before his canonisation”, the bishops could “find in him
‘example and encouragement’”. “An example of one who gives priority to those
most in need of God’s mercy”. “Encouragement” he continued, to bear witness to
the love of Christ”, whilst coordinating the collaboration of each member of
the Church. This, said the Pope, to help the bishops be “signs of this unity
within the diversity which characterises the holy people of God”.
Work for those seeking forgiveness
Pope Francis then greeted the “numerous priests and
religious men and women present”. He addressed them saying “you, who felt
called to live a Christian commitment, inspired by our new Saint…”. He urged
them to “work without rest” to help God forgive all those who repent.
Be a martyr
To the “pilgrims who came to Rome to attend the
canonisation.” he said that Saint Romero’s message “is to be directed at
everyone, without exception”. Saint Óscar Romero said that every Catholic must
be a martyr, “because being a martyr means bearing witness”.
Because, as Pope Francis explained, “God wishes to be
present in our lives and he calls us to announce his message of freedom to the
whole of humanity.”. He said that it is only in Him that we can be free: “free
of sin, free from evil, from hate in our hearts, free to love and welcome the
Lord” and our brothers and sisters. “A true freedom”, to “wake up the hope of
salvation in each heart”.
Prayer facilitates
The Pope admitted that he knows this “is not easy”, and this
is why, he said “we need prayer”. We need to be “united with God” and “in
communion with the Church”, which Saint Óscar Romero said cannot be done
“without ministry in the Church”.
Peace for Latin America
Finally, Pope Francis sent his greetings to “the holy people
of God in El Salvador” who he said rejoice in seeing one of their countrymen
being honoured. He praised them for their religious life, which they have
applied to both their social and family lives, despite having faced “the
scourge and division of war” in their recent history.
Pope Francis concluded using the memory of Saint Óscar
Romero as an “opportunity to launch a message of peace and reconciliation to
all of the cities of Latin America”.
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