杏MAP导航 to El Salvador pilgrims: Be encouraged by Saint 脫scar Romero
By Francesca Merlo
In his address on Monday the 15th of October, 杏MAP导航 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
杏MAP导航 Francis鈥� first greeting went to his 鈥渂rothers in the episcopate鈥�: the bishops of El Salvador - the birthplace of Saint Romero. He reflected on the fact that Archbishop Romero 鈥渒new how to perfectly embody the image of the Good Shepherd, who gave his life for his sheep.鈥� He specified that 鈥渘ow, more than before his canonisation鈥�, the bishops could 鈥渇ind in him 鈥榚xample and encouragement鈥欌��. 鈥淎n example of one who gives priority to those most in need of God鈥檚 mercy鈥�. 鈥淓ncouragement鈥� he continued, to bear witness to the love of Christ鈥�, whilst coordinating the collaboration of each member of the Church. This, said the 杏MAP导航, to help the bishops be 鈥渟igns of this unity within the diversity which characterises the holy people of God鈥�.
Work for those seeking forgiveness
杏MAP导航 Francis then greeted the 鈥渘umerous priests and religious men and women present鈥�. He addressed them saying 鈥測ou, who felt called to live a Christian commitment, inspired by our new Saint鈥︹��. He urged them to 鈥渨ork without rest鈥� to help God forgive all those who repent.
Be a martyr
To the 鈥減ilgrims who came to Rome to attend the canonisation.鈥� he said that Saint Romero鈥檚 message 鈥渋s to be directed at everyone, without exception鈥�. Saint Óscar Romero said that every Catholic must be a martyr, 鈥渂ecause being a martyr means bearing witness鈥�.
Because, as 杏MAP导航 Francis explained, 鈥淕od wishes to be present in our lives and he calls us to announce his message of freedom to the whole of humanity.鈥�. He said that it is only in Him that we can be free: 鈥渇ree of sin, free from evil, from hate in our hearts, free to love and welcome the Lord鈥� and our brothers and sisters. 鈥淎 true freedom鈥�, to 鈥渨ake up the hope of salvation in each heart鈥�.
Prayer facilitates
The 杏MAP导航 admitted that he knows this 鈥渋s not easy鈥�, and this is why, he said 鈥渨e need prayer鈥�. We need to be 鈥渦nited with God鈥� and 鈥渋n communion with the Church鈥�, which Saint Óscar Romero said cannot be done 鈥渨ithout ministry in the Church鈥�.
Peace for Latin America
Finally, 杏MAP导航 Francis sent his greetings to 鈥渢he holy people of God in El Salvador鈥� 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 鈥渢he scourge and division of war鈥� in their recent history.
杏MAP导航 Francis concluded using the memory of Saint Óscar Romero as an 鈥渙pportunity to launch a message of peace and reconciliation to all of the cities of Latin America鈥�.
Thank you for reading our article. You can keep up-to-date by subscribing to our daily newsletter. Just click here
