First Morning as Pilgrims in El Salvador

By Maria Elena Perales

​On our first morning as pilgrims in El Salvador, we awoke to a serenade unlike anything we had ever heard before. The birdsong rose gently through the early morning —layered, vibrant, almost otherworldly—as if creation itself were welcoming us into the sacred journey ahead.

After gathering in prayer, we shared a bit about our intentions that brought us to this pilgrimage. 

Strengthened by this sense of community and belonging, we set out on the road toward the chapel where Monseñor Romero was assassinated—a place where faith and courage converged in the ultimate offering.

I could sense how we all became personally immersed in the anguish that must have filled the chapel where he was killed.  

I felt a strong connection as I reflected on his life and struggles when I found myself in the presence of his compassionate spirit while walking inside his home. It was almost like an unexpected gift that invited me to pause and simply receive.

When we returned to our colorful and cozy Casa Antigua we met some amazing women.  They shared some powerful testimony about  comforting, accompanying, and empowering women in rural and remote communities  to take care of their health.  Through their Women's Cancer Prevention Campaign, they reach out to women and walk with them at a time when no other health services are available to them.  
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This is love, compassion and conviction at its best.

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From Evie Storto

At the end of our first full day in San Salvador, my heart is full. We began the day entering the simple chapel where Monseñor Romero prayed, served, preached and ultimately gave his life for love of the people. Being in the chapel, the adjacent "hospital" and his home offered a poignant time for contemplating the incredible gift of his life in the face of tremendous cruelty and evil. 
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​This and other moments of the day reminded me again of a prayer we shared on Thanksgiving day.

The human heart can go the lengths of God.
Cold and dark we may be, but this
Is no winter now. The frozen misery
Of centuries cracks, begins to move.
The thunder is the thunder of the floes,
The thaw, the flood, the upstart Spring.
Thank God our time is now, when wrong
Comes up to face us everywhere,
Never to leave us till we take
The longest stride of soul we humans ever took.
Affairs are now soul size,
The enterprise is exploration into God.
Where are you making for? It takes
So many thousand years to wake,
But will you wake for pity’s sake!
—Christopher Frye, A Sleep of Prisoners​

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El Salvador Sunday November 30, 2025

Here I will stay... the Lord has guided me so far; and in His guidance, He has called and led me here. These are words from Carla Piette MM which reflect the feelings and thoughts of the four church women who at that time chose to stay with the Salvadoran people. Staying meant being part of the daily life of the people, experiencing their suffering, their anguish, their despair, and the lack of everything that could give them a dignified life

Today, we heard different stories that helped us remember part of Salvadoran history, showing how unconditional love, sacrifice, loyalty, and accompaniment in the suffering and struggles of the people are still meaningful. It is still life-giving and still worth living for. Committing to being present in the suffering of the people is not something of the past; rather, the stories we heard today told us the contrary. Today, more than ever, we are called to serve the most needy in this world. We are all called to share our humanity in a world that sometimes looks like a dehumanized world.

The stories of suffering from the people who have been deported to El Salvador are no less painful than those of the people who struggled during the civil war. The experience of discrimination and human rights abuses has taken away the dignity of those who experienced it and has left behind deep traumas that will take time to heal.

There are hopes, yes indeed there are, we could see it, in the people who are accompanying those suffering through different life situations. As I experienced this day, and on this pilgrimage, I asked myself:

What is it that brought me here at this time in my life - why am I here? What is the meaning of my presence in this place? Why did I choose to participate in this pilgrimage? Does it have any meaning? How does this commitment of unconditional love of these four women relate to me at this moment in my life?

I think that these and many other questions have been in the minds of many of us today. Yes, I am alone, but we are not alone in this life journey toward understanding the mystery of God in our lives.

Visiting the tombs of Maura, Ita, and Carla this morning and looking at the people around us gave me hope. Even though the history of our suffering is not being taught in an official way, I can see that there are people who are committed to sharing this history with the new generations of Salvadoran people. I know that they will find a way to do this, and most importantly, that God is leading the way.

​Norma Pocasangre MM
Maryknoll Sisters

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El Salvador Reflections December 1

Con este pueblo no cuesta ser buen pastor. (St. Oscar Romero) (With this people it is not hard to be a good pastor.) These words were written outside the Buen Pastor (Good Shepherd) Church located on the campus of the University of Central America.  I was struck by these words of Bishop Romero because I couldn’t help but agree wholeheartedly with his assessment of the Salvadoran people.  In my very short time here in El Salvador I have found the Salvadoran folks whom I have met to be very easy to love.  They are gracious, joyful, welcoming, intelligent, faith-filled and strong. That is why it is incomprehensible for me how thousands of them were tortured, disappeared, and/or killed during the twelve years of their civil war. Their quest for democracy, economic opportunity and freedom has been an ongoing saga which actually continues today. 

We began our day with a visit to the Cathedral of San Salvador to visit the tomb of St. Oscar Romero.  It was a beautiful tribute to this martyred saint. We then traveled to the University of Central America.  This is the Jesuit university in El Salvador and the site of the assassination of six Jesuit priests, their housekeeper and her daughter on November 16, 1989. There we heard from four human rights activists - two from Tutela Legal, Maria Julia Hernandez and two from MOVIR.  These organizations help those who have fallen victim to past atrocities and present authoritarian tactics of Nayib Bukele, the Salvadoran president, who has referred to himself as “the world’s coolest dictator.” I was struck by their sincere desire to confront the injustices of the present administration and by their articulate and courageous manner of explaining the present political reality of El Salvador. One of the speaker’s daughter has been arrested and detained for close to two years without being charged with a crime.  His restrained and calm retelling of this traumatic experience affected me deeply.

After the meeting with the activists, we went to the site of the massacre of the six Jesuits and their housekeeper and her daughter.  The story was powerful in its own rite, but the tour was given by two students from the University: Milton and Jorge.  They are studying engineering. Their retelling of the story was so sincere and compelling and they took such pride in being part of this school which has so much to do with working for justice in their country.  Once again, the goodness of the Salvadoran people shone through. As i listened to them I saw the future of El Salvador and it gave me much hope in the midst of such tragedy.

The day ended with a presentation of “What is happening today in El Salvador?” This excellent presentation was given by Oscar Serrano, the vice rector of the University. Although the information he presented was excellent and informative, I was struck more by him personally; his joy, his tongue-in-cheek humor, and his obvious love for his country and how he held this very dark portrait of what was happening in his country so lightly. He is here to continue the struggle.  His family is hoping that he doesn’t speak out too loudly and end up like so many others who have challenged this present administration.

I finished the day inspired, encouraged, and challenged to continue to advocate for those who have no voice.  I will return to the United States where I still enjoy protection in so many ways no matter what I say or do. However, these folks choose to remain here and in spite of fear of reprisal, continue the struggle for justice in their country. They have been such a powerful example for me.  

Linda Lukiewski, SSJ

Today I found myself thinking about an Advent theme. I thought about Mary saying “Yes” to becoming the Mother of God. That courage, love, faith and acceptance was something I felt these women martyrs also possessed. Maura, Ita, Carol, Dorothy and Jean all answered “Yes” to the calling they had from God. Although they offered their lives we could see and feel how their “Yes” is still bringing Truth and love throughout the world. These women have inspired me to say my own “Yes” more often to God’s callings in my own life.



Sharon Dalton, Mercy Associate from NH

blooming rose on the site of the Jesuits massacre, planted by the husband of Elba Ramos and the father of Celina - also the groundskeeper at the UCA

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