Discovering the Unseen: Top 6 Fascinating and Inspiring Fun Facts About Oscar Romero
1. Saintly Waiting Line
When the saints go marching in, sometimes they have to wait in line: Saint Oscar Romero was finally canonized in 2018 by Pope Francis, after years of church-politics-induced delay. As Archbishop of El Salvador, Romero advocated for social justice and human rights during a time of government oppression, ultimately becoming a martyr and symbol of resistance against Latin American authoritarian regimes when he was assassinated in 1980.
Source => theatlantic.com
2. Carpenter to Canonization
From humble woodworker to heavenly hero: Before embracing the divine calling, Archbishop Oscar Romero was just a regular Joe aspiring to be a carpenter under his father's wing. Little did he know, at age 13, that he would eventually swap wood shavings for holy vestments, and marching down from the dusty workshop to the bumpy road that led him to become a fervent defender of El Salvador's poor and oppressed. His vocal stance against injustice, tragically culminating in his 1980 assassination during Mass, paved the way for his ultimate star-on-top-of-the-tree moment: canonization by Pope Francis in 2018.
Source => irishtimes.com
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3. Holy Handyman Skills
Who knew Jesus wasn't the only holy carpenter on the block?: Oscar Romero, the archbishop who became the voice of the voiceless in El Salvador, followed in his father's footsteps as a skillful carpenter before entering the priesthood at 13, and even dabbled in gardening and cleaning during his seminary years in Rome, where he earned a Licentiate in Theology cum laude in 1941.
Source => en.wikipedia.org
4. Pious Picasso & Peace
You might say he was a "Pious Picasso" with a penchant for peace: Archbishop Oscar Romero was deeply devoted to Our Lady of Peace, often seeking her guidance amid El Salvador's chaotic times, and even commissioned a painting of her to grace his office and offer solace during those turbulent days.
Source => ncronline.org
5. Clergy Superhero
Who said religious leaders can't live a double life as fearless social justice warriors? It's a bird, it's a priest – no, it's Oscar Romero: The once-politically hesitant Archbishop who transformed into a vocal champion for the poor and oppressed in El Salvador, stirring a national social movement and armed rebellion while ruffling the feathers of the military regime with his fiery homilies calling for equality and an end to injustice. Spoiler alert - this ecclesiastical superhero tale, unfortunately, ends with martyrdom as Romero becomes the tragically sought-after target of death squads.
Source => newyorker.com
6. Arresting Assassination Delay
If at first you don't succeed, try, try again: took a judge in El Salvador until 2018 to order an arrest in the pursuit of justice for Archbishop Oscar Romero, who was assassinated in 1980! The serious scoop: Romero, a symbol of social justice for many, lives on as his beatification in 2015 resonated amiably with the hearts of Catholics everywhere.
Source => en.wikipedia.org
