Who is Saint Oscar Romero?
As Archbishop of El Salvador, Father Oscar A. Romero was a source of strength and hope for the poor and the oppressed of his country. He worked with and for them, taking their struggles as his own. Father Romero wrote and spoke passionately about the need for Christians to work for justice, and he frequently faced threats and danger from those opposed to his ideas.
On March 24, 1980, while celebrating the Eucharist, Saint Romero was shot and killed at the altar by a death squad assassin. He paid the highest price for the commitment about which he spoke so often and so eloquently. Because of his courageous stand for justice, he became a martyr not only for poor Salvadorans but for all people struggling to overcome oppression and poverty. Today, his sermons are read as powerful reminders of Christians' obligation to fight for a just society. The example of Romero's courageous life and death continue to inspire those who struggle for human dignity and justice.
Archbishop Oscar Romero: A Shepherd's Diary. Translated by Irene B. Hodgson; foreword by Thomas E. Quigley. London: CAFOD, 1993.
Oscar Romero: Reflections on His Life and Writings. by Marie Dennis, Renny Golden, Scott Wright. Maryknoll, NY. Orbis Books, 2000.
BC Bookstore Item # 1570753091
Cry of the People: United States Involvement in the Rise of Fascism, Torture, and Murder and the Persecution of the Catholic Church in Latin America. Penny Lernoux. Garden City, NY: Doubleday, 1980.
Archbishop Oscar Arnulfo Romero, Prophet to the Americas. Margaret Swedish. Religious Task Force on Central America and Mexico, 1995
A committee of students, faculty and administrators was formed at Boston College in 1992 to award a scholarship in memory of Saint Oscar Romero. The work of the committe is carried out by the following subcomittees:
- The Award Ceremony Subcommittee coordinates the annual celebration and award ceremony.
- The Selection Subcommittee solicits applications for the scholarship award, interviews applicants, and presents a decision to the Committee.
- The Alumni Award Subcommittee selects an alumni member who receives an award in honor of the Rev. John A. Dinneen, S.J., who was instrumental in establishing the scholarship.
- The Activities Subcommittee develops activities throughout the year including, but not limited to, speeches/lectures, presentations, cultural/informational gatherings, Latino Alumni Weekend, and community awards.
- The Publicity Subcommittee creates more awareness of the existence and activites of the Romero Committee, the scholarship, and the Award Ceremony.
2023 - 2024 Saint Oscar Romero Scholarship Committee
Committee Officers
Co-Chair & Treasurer
Marcela V. Norton
Co-Chair
Milvia Sanchez
OLAA Advisor
Joana Maynard
Subcommittee Officers
Activities Subcommittee
Kevin Lopez, Jonathan Mora, Sebastian Cota
Alumni Subcommittee
Anyenda O. Inyagwa
Award Subcommittee
Marcela Norton, Christopher Soldt
Communications Subcommittee
Open
Selection Subcommittee
Judy Ferres, Edilma Hosein, Milvia Sanchez
If you have any questions regarding the committee or are interested in becoming a member, please email bcromero@bc.edu or call 617-552-1996.