I was in St. Peter’s square yesterday when Pope Francis canonized five saints, two of them well known, Paul VI, who was pope as the Second Vatican Council ended and Archbishop Romero of San Salvador who was shot to death while celebrating Mass at the Hospital of Divine Providence on March 24, 1980.
Pope Francis, a believer in symbols, wore the blood stained cincture that Bishop Romero wore when he was shot and celebrated the Mass with Paul VI’s favorite chalice and carried the pastoral cross he carried on his pastoral journeys.
The square was filled on this bright sunny day, the crowd spilling over to the neighboring streets. You can see more here.
I remembered in the square yesterday Blanca and Julio who lived in El Salvador at the time the archbishop was murdered and revere him as a holy man and so I took some pictures of the many who came from their country to honor Romero as a national and even an international hero who spoke for the justice for the poor. Blue was everywhere.
I’m sure Pope Francis was delighted to canonize Romero. We need bishops like him.
And what about those saints canonized yesterday not so well known? The pope said in his homily that holiness takes different forms. The saints not well known are just as important and those that are. That’s true.
The Victor's Place 
Thanks for being there for us. Oh when the saints come marching in..
O I want to be in that number.
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Dear Fr. Victor-
My mother always said everything happens in threes and many times she was right. It just happened to me. On Saturday I read a lovely article in the October issue of St. Anthony Messenger about the life and upcoming canonization of Archbishop Romero, a very special man, priest, bishop, saint on earth, and now in Heaven. Then yesterday, Sunday, Fr. Richard Rohr’s meditation and video were about Archbishop Romero. Now today I’ve read your account of the actual event with your beautiful photo. Instead of “twice-blessed” I am three times blessed. Mother was right — again!
I’m happy you’re enjoying beautiful weather. It rains a lot here, but after drenching rain all day last Thursday, Friday followed with a beautiful autumn day of smiling sunshine and cheerful blue sky; plus strong winds left over from from Hurricane Michael, as was Thursday’s rain, according to the weather forecasters. Our hearts hurt for the victims of Michael and their losses. We pray for them and their recovery which, according to news reports, has already begun. Last year in October I wrote the poem “March Wind” which I attached. That day and this past Friday were like identical twins.
Hope and pray your meetings are productive and your free time is enjoyable.
Love and God’s blessings to you from Ted and me, Gloria
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Such a glorious day, God’s is uplifting the whole Church to
learn from such great saints and live by their example.
St Oscar Romero & all the saints pray for us .
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Such a glorious day, God is uplifting the whole Church to
learn from such great saints and live by their example
St. Oscar Romero & all the saints pray for us
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