08/18/2026
Paper Crane: Oscar Romero (August 15, 1917 - 3/24/1980)
International Peace Month
Romero was Archbishop of San Salvador in the 1970s, a time of great turmoil and political violence. As a voice for justice, he stood up against the government and wealthy landowners who were oppressing the poor. As a voice for Christ, he championed nonviolent methodology. His boldness was inspired by the assassination of his close friend and priest, Rutilio Grande. “The shepherd does not want security while they give no security to his flock,” Romero exclaimed. Romero would eventually suffer the same fate as his friend a few years later while celebrating Mass, literally lying in a pool of his own blood at the foot of the cross.
Below are some quotes by Romero. For most people, Christians included, his words seem radical. They’re the teachings of Jesus: forgive infinitely, turn the other cheek, go the extra mile, give more than you’re asked, love others with a selfless love. Very few take Jesus at his word because it might end in martyrdom. Romero was one such person.
“The violence we preach is not
the violence of the sword,
the violence of hatred.
It is the violence of love,
of brotherhood,
the violence that wills to beat weapons
into sickles for work.”
“Let us not tire of preaching love;
it is the force that will overcome the world.
Let us not tire of preaching love.
Though we see that waves of violence
succeed in drowning the fire of Christian love,
love must win out; it is the only thing that can.”
“The church is calling to sanity,
to understanding, to love.
It does not believe in violent solutions.
The church believes in only one violence,
that of Christ, who was nailed to the cross.
That is how today’s gospel reading shows him,
taking upon himself all the violence
of hatred and misunderstanding,
so that we humans might forgive one another,
love one another, feel ourselves brothers and sisters.”
“Do not let the serpent of rancor nest in your hearts.
There is no greater misfortune than a vindictive heart,
even though it be turned against those
who have tortured your children,
against the criminal hands
that have placed them among the missing.
Do not hate.”
“Peace is not the product of terror or fear.
Peace is not the silence of cemeteries.
Peace is not the silent result of violent repression.
Peace is the generous, tranquil contribution of all
to the good of all.
Peace is dynamism. Peace is generosity.
It is right and it is duty.
In it each one has a place in this beautiful family,
which the Epiphany brightens for us with God’s light.”
———-
“I will write peace on your wings and you will fly all over the world.”
~ Sadako Sasaki
- block print by Kreg Yingst
