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Modern Spiritual Masters
Oscar Romero: Reflections on His Life and Writings
On the twentieth anniversary of his death, this volume celebrates the life, spirit and legacy of Oscar Romero, the martyred archbishop of San Salvador.
"It is an extraordinary privilege to read this account of Oscar Romero because it reveals his deep inner spirit. To know him in this way becomes a call to find the face of God in the poor as he did and to live the way of gospel love, whatever the cost. Romero is truely a 'spiritual master' of this century." --Bishop Thomas J. Gumbleton
"The word of Monsenor Romero is, like the truth and because it is true, 'always old and always new,' as St. Augustine said. Today as much as yesterday, that word keeps casting light on the reality of our world, unmasking lies, demanding justice and conversion. With martyrs like this there is hope for humanity. It is that, so beautifully, that this book shows us." --Jon Sobrino, S.J.
"It is an extraordinary privilege to read this account of Oscar Romero because it reveals his deep inner spirit. To know him in this way becomes a call to find the face of God in the poor as he did and to live the way of gospel love, whatever the cost. Romero is truely a 'spiritual master' of this century." --Bishop Thomas J. Gumbleton
"The word of Monsenor Romero is, like the truth and because it is true, 'always old and always new,' as St. Augustine said. Today as much as yesterday, that word keeps casting light on the reality of our world, unmasking lies, demanding justice and conversion. With martyrs like this there is hope for humanity. It is that, so beautifully, that this book shows us." --Jon Sobrino, S.J.
144 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
December 1, 2013
Oscar Romero is one of my heroes. He is indeed a saint.
Archbishop Romero had the courage to stand again state terrorism in El Salvador, speaking out when so many others kept silent and speaking on behalf of poor El Salvadorans who were brutalised and murdered by their own government. It is hard to imagine standing against that kind of state terror - death squads, mutilations, rapes, bombings, murders and the torture of his people in El Salvador.
The way Archbishop Romero stood against this violence with love, compassion, truth and justice is something that is both inspirational and challenging. It is inspirational because it makes us realise that we too can emulate his courage and his love. It is challenging because it pushes us to do so. It pushes us to look beyond our own lives and see if there are things that we need to stand for, to see if there are people we need to stand with but also to see if there are issues that we too need to stand up and speak about, whether in our homes, schools, work places or places of worship.
Oscar Romero's story encourages us to look beyond ourselves and become fully involved in the world around us.
This book provides an excellent summary of his life and teaching. It is easy to read and accessible and gives a great introduction for those who may wish to study further. As a priest I find Oscar Romero to be truly inspirational. His life and death point to what is important for priestly ministry - true love of God and true love of people. Romero had them both and will always be an example for me and a person I want to reflect on and be like.
The Modern Spiritual Writers Series is an excellent way to find out more about some of the spiritual leaders through history and from our time. They are easy to read and understand and also not too long. They have an excellent way of introducing the readers to the key characteristics and teachings of the spiritual leader and what distinguishes them. I fully intend to read more from this series and hopefully in so doing will learn more for now I will continue to reflect upon the life and death of this most amazing and courageous man.
Archbishop Romero had the courage to stand again state terrorism in El Salvador, speaking out when so many others kept silent and speaking on behalf of poor El Salvadorans who were brutalised and murdered by their own government. It is hard to imagine standing against that kind of state terror - death squads, mutilations, rapes, bombings, murders and the torture of his people in El Salvador.
The way Archbishop Romero stood against this violence with love, compassion, truth and justice is something that is both inspirational and challenging. It is inspirational because it makes us realise that we too can emulate his courage and his love. It is challenging because it pushes us to do so. It pushes us to look beyond our own lives and see if there are things that we need to stand for, to see if there are people we need to stand with but also to see if there are issues that we too need to stand up and speak about, whether in our homes, schools, work places or places of worship.
Oscar Romero's story encourages us to look beyond ourselves and become fully involved in the world around us.
This book provides an excellent summary of his life and teaching. It is easy to read and accessible and gives a great introduction for those who may wish to study further. As a priest I find Oscar Romero to be truly inspirational. His life and death point to what is important for priestly ministry - true love of God and true love of people. Romero had them both and will always be an example for me and a person I want to reflect on and be like.
The Modern Spiritual Writers Series is an excellent way to find out more about some of the spiritual leaders through history and from our time. They are easy to read and understand and also not too long. They have an excellent way of introducing the readers to the key characteristics and teachings of the spiritual leader and what distinguishes them. I fully intend to read more from this series and hopefully in so doing will learn more for now I will continue to reflect upon the life and death of this most amazing and courageous man.
May 2, 2021
This one you could read in bits and not feel disoriented about stopping part way through a chapter. Lots of good reflections and thought provoking content.
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February 26, 2024a bit repetitive but overall a decent read. would recommend to any salvis who are interested in learning more about romero and his beliefs
April 1, 2022
Decent writing in this book, though redundant or a confusing timeline at times. But having Romero’s gut-punch teachings collected in one place is powerful without commentary necessary.
I wish more in the church outside of LatAm knew about Oscar Romero — he was a giant of a man who died for all the right reasons. His spine ought to make any interrogate their own hearts for the timidity that obstructs the Kingdom’s flow in their disincarnate lives. I left this read wondering how best to stand with the poor as an extension of Christ’s good news.
I wish more in the church outside of LatAm knew about Oscar Romero — he was a giant of a man who died for all the right reasons. His spine ought to make any interrogate their own hearts for the timidity that obstructs the Kingdom’s flow in their disincarnate lives. I left this read wondering how best to stand with the poor as an extension of Christ’s good news.
February 13, 2024
5/5 stars for the message but the writing does get repetitive. A wonderful collection of Romero’s homilies during his time as archbishop and great context about El Salvador’s Civil War. The US funding of the war and absolute disregard for human life is reminiscent of the Gazan genocide. I hope all Catholic leaders will look to Romero’s legacy when preaching about the genocide and understanding the role of the Church during this time. With the arrival of Lent and Romero’s discussion on the importance of Lent during war I couldn’t recommend a better time to read this.
July 27, 2024
Outstanding selections. I'm not Catholic so I don't agree with him on abortion but this collection works as moral and political inspiration, biography, theology, and more.
February 14, 2013
Back when I was in college, in the Bible survey course I took, we were assigned to read through the three books of Jewish law (Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy) and consider the purpose behind these laws -- for whom were they written and why? When the professor invited us to share our thoughts on this, the first student to respond said confidently that these laws were written to suppress the lower classes and to keep them in line through fear of divine retribution. The professor then asked the student which specific laws from the reading led him to that conclusion. The student sat dumb for several moments, having no answer to that challenge. The professor then proceeded to cite a handful of laws which suggested that, in fact, they had been directed at the more powerful and well-off members of society, for the purpose of giving some basic protection and rights to the weak and helpless.
At its heart, of course, the Judeo-Christian ideology is far more radical than most of its practitioners would want to admit. Which is why this book, and the life of Oscar Romero it describes, is so spiritually invigorating.
Archbishop Oscar Romero was appointed to be a conservative, don't-rock-the-boat head of the Catholic Church in El Salvador. But shortly after his appointment, circumstances (and the Spirit) conspired to make him a fierce and passionate champion of the poorest of his people, and a thorn in the side of the Salvadoran government and military.
Throughout this book, Romero is revealed to be a saint whose time has come. Much of what he said and dealt with in his day seems just as relevant to us now.
"He knew the church too sins and challenged us to accept a church slow to be purified," one passage says. "The church of El Salvador was not 'one,' but deeply divided like the society it reflected. ... The church is holy and unholy, a grace and an obstacle to grace, a sacrament and a scandal. The church is flawed like us, both a vessel of redemption and in need of redemption. For this reason Romero called the church to a deeper conversion to the poor where false gods are unmasked and where the good news is received and enfleshed."
This quick and easy read cuts right at the heart of what the church, what a Christian life, should be all about.
At its heart, of course, the Judeo-Christian ideology is far more radical than most of its practitioners would want to admit. Which is why this book, and the life of Oscar Romero it describes, is so spiritually invigorating.
Archbishop Oscar Romero was appointed to be a conservative, don't-rock-the-boat head of the Catholic Church in El Salvador. But shortly after his appointment, circumstances (and the Spirit) conspired to make him a fierce and passionate champion of the poorest of his people, and a thorn in the side of the Salvadoran government and military.
Throughout this book, Romero is revealed to be a saint whose time has come. Much of what he said and dealt with in his day seems just as relevant to us now.
"He knew the church too sins and challenged us to accept a church slow to be purified," one passage says. "The church of El Salvador was not 'one,' but deeply divided like the society it reflected. ... The church is holy and unholy, a grace and an obstacle to grace, a sacrament and a scandal. The church is flawed like us, both a vessel of redemption and in need of redemption. For this reason Romero called the church to a deeper conversion to the poor where false gods are unmasked and where the good news is received and enfleshed."
This quick and easy read cuts right at the heart of what the church, what a Christian life, should be all about.
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August 2, 2010Archbishop Oscar Romero is a fascinating figure to me. I think this is the third book I've read about him. Romero was a "go along to get along" sort of Catholic in El Salvador when a brutal civil war erupted in his country, and tens of thousands of innocent people began to be murdered, raped, tortured, and 'disappeared' by the US backed military dictatorship. When Romero's dear friend, Fr. Rutilio Grande, was murdered not long after Romero became the Archbishop, something fundamental changed in Romero's view of the message of Jesus. From that point forward, and through horrific repression and eventual martyrdom, Romero sided with, spoke for, and led the poor of El Salvador. He was a remarkably brave man.
The suffering of the people of El Salvador, and the brutal attack on the Catholic Church, has left that poor, tragic nation in dire straights still today. The spirit of Romero continues to inspire those who believe in the preferential option for the poor, and for the power of love to overcome the power of hate. As I read his story, I couldn't help but think of my favorite passage from the Gospel of St. John: "...and the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot overcome it."
Rest in peace, good shepherd. You are not forgotten.
The suffering of the people of El Salvador, and the brutal attack on the Catholic Church, has left that poor, tragic nation in dire straights still today. The spirit of Romero continues to inspire those who believe in the preferential option for the poor, and for the power of love to overcome the power of hate. As I read his story, I couldn't help but think of my favorite passage from the Gospel of St. John: "...and the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot overcome it."
Rest in peace, good shepherd. You are not forgotten.
March 1, 2008
The story of Oscar Romero is very interesting but this book is poorly put together.
"The Christian who does not want to live this commitment of solidarity with the poor is not worthy to be called a Christian."
"I will not tire of declaring that if we really want an effective end to violence we must remove the violence that lies at the root of all violence: structural violence, social injustice, exclusion of citizens from the management of the country, repression. All of this is what constitutes the primal cause, from which the rest flow naturally."
"The Christian who does not want to live this commitment of solidarity with the poor is not worthy to be called a Christian."
"I will not tire of declaring that if we really want an effective end to violence we must remove the violence that lies at the root of all violence: structural violence, social injustice, exclusion of citizens from the management of the country, repression. All of this is what constitutes the primal cause, from which the rest flow naturally."
March 10, 2010
I've been reading various treatments on Oscar Romero, and this one is short and to the point. I hope to write an essay sometime along the lines of "A Conservative Protestant Appreciation of Oscar Romero." As an aside, I think I found John Sobrino's account of Romero's life and transition from "conservative" to the way of the cross as the most jarring, but then that book weakens by the end. This one stays strong for an intro.
December 24, 2016
Helpful overview and commentary to give a broader analysis of Romero's theological development. Romero is my hero.
December 30, 2011
Inspiring book about an incredible man. I think I dog-eared over twenty of the books 130 pages.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews