Public
Prayer Service at noon (Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes; next to the roadway behind Dubuis Hall). Co-sponsored by the Latinx Heritage Committee.
Óscar Romero was appointed Archbishop of San Salvador, El Salvador in 1977, during a period of widespread human rights violations and political unrest. He became an outspoken advocate for the marginalized following the murder of his friend and fellow priest, Fr. Rutilio Grande, also an outspoken advocate for the poor and oppressed. Archbishop Romero was well known for his radio homilies to the people and was considered by many to be the “voice of the voiceless,” encouraging others to become advocates, as well. Archbishop Romero was shot while celebrating Mass March 24, 1980.
Pope Francis declared Archbishop Romero a martyr February 2015 and beatified him later that year on May 23. Blessed Óscar Romero was canonized a saint on October 14, 2018 alongside Pope Paul VI.
On this feast day of St. Óscar Romero, let us remember these words:
“We might be left without a radio station: God’s best microphone is Christ, and Christ’s best microphone is the Church, and the Church is all of you. Let each one of you, in your own job, in your own vocation—nun, married person, bishop, priest, high school or university student, day laborer, wage earner, market woman—one in your own place … live the faith intensely and feel that in your surroundings you are a true microphone of God our Lord.”
For more information, please contact ministry@uiwtx.edu
Location: Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes; next to the roadway behind Dubuis Hall)
The grotto was built in 1904, to mark the 50th anniversary of the promulgation of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is a replica of the grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes in France. Being for many years a place of destination of Sisters’ processions for Marian feasts, it is a special spot available to everyone for private and communal prayer and reflection.