Cardinal Angelo Amato is representing Pope Francis at Archbishop Oscar Romero's beatification ceremony. It will be held this Saturday in San Salvador.
At least five cardinals will be involved, including Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga. The Honduran cardinal also announced this week that Romero will be the patron of Caritas. Many remember the Salvadoran monsignor as somebody who cared deeply about all people.
MSGR. RICARDO URIOSTE
Vicar General of Msgr. Romero
'I heard about Monsignor Romero, his great work in San Miguel, where everyone loved him very much. He used to speak on the radio, preach very well, organize Catholic Alcoholics Anonymous groups. He spent time with shoeshiners, and was very close to the people at all times.â?
The motto of his beatification is 'martyr for love.â? Archbishop Romero was assassinated while celebrating Mass on March 24, 1980. It is believed he was murdered for speaking out on behalf of the poor just before El Salvador's civil war began.
His chapel has become a pilgrimage destination and many items from his life are kept nearby.
Additionally, Pope John Paul II has prayed at his tomb in the cathedral where he is buried.
The beatification ceremony culminates a process that was bogged down in Rome for years. Pope Benedict XVI reopened and encouraged the process to continue during his last months as Pope.
Pope Francis completed and approved it with great satisfaction.
JMB/ATO
RR-beatificacionromero.org/
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