September 2nd, 2013: Santiago Nonualco

Ever since my trip to Peru, Bolivia, and Argentina in 2008, Maryknoll Lay Missioners (http://www.mklm.org/) have been in my heart.  The core values of of the missioners: Gospel values, option for the poor, conversion, witness, crossing cross cultural boundaries, community, forming ecclesial teams, and building bridges with the U.S. church, really resonate with me.  This particular trip was sponsored by both Maryknoll and JustFaith Ministries (http://www.justfaith.org/).  Maryknoll Lay Missioners were the main tour guides for us while were were in El Salvador.  Maryknoll has been in El Salvador for almost 50 years.  

On Saturday, August 3rd, we visited the site of where four church women - two Maryknoll Sisters, one Ursline sister and a lay missioner - Jean Donovan, were martyred in Santiago Nonualco.  One of the things that struck me most was that we met a priest, Fr. John, who was on site the day the women were found dead.  This same priest had also carried Romero's casket just nine months prior to the women dying.  Fr. John's living testimony was moving and passionate.  These women were his friends.  The story of how these women died was chilling.  It's hard to grapple with how humanity can be so cruel and insensitive.  I found an article, written by a sister who served in El Salvador at the same time as Ita Ford, Jean Donovan, Maura Clarke, and Dorothy Kazel.  Her story will provide you with more insight into what happened the evening of December 2nd, 1980.  

Article from Maryknoll Sister Madeline Dorsey, who served in El Salvador at the time, reflects on those harrowing days and the deaths of her friends and colleagues.     

Prior to their brutal murders all of these women had several chances to leave El Salvador, but they did not.  They felt a deep calling to stay present and accompany those whom were suffering from the effects of the civil war.  It made me question what would I do if I felt threatened because of the ministry I was doing?  It made me reflect upon my time at Annunciation House and leaving after an immigrant, Juan Patricio, was brutally killed.  I left early from my year of volunteer work because of consequences that could have happened, but never did.  I was not even being physically threatened.  I was given an option out and I took it.  Yet these women, in the face of a lot of violence stayed.  At one point Jean Donovan said, "Several times I have decided to leave El Salvador.  I almost could, except for the children, the poor, bruised victims of this insanity.  Who would care for them?  Whose heart could be so staunch as to favor the reasonable thing in a sea of their tears and loneliness?  Not mine, dear friend, not mind."  Do I feel guilt for leaving Annunciation House when I did?  10 years later, even though I can rationally give reasons as to why I left, I can honestly say that on some level I do carry guilt for not standing up for what I do believe in.

What about hope?  Violence is still very prominent in El Salvador.  El Salvador ranks first among the countries in Latin America in violent deaths, 370 homicides a month.  Yet, the presence of those accompanying the people on the margins is alive and relevant.  The humility and love the lay missioners have is akin to the love Christ has for each one of us.  I can only hope that God can give me the grace to aspire to love as deeply and to not be afraid of adversity, even if it means my life.