Vigil for Jesuit Martyrs at the UCA

Wow, this weekend I was blessed to participate in a vigil for six Jesuit priests, their housekeeper, and housekeeper’s daughter.  In 1989, the army removed them from their rooms in the middle of the night and murdered them one by one.  The Jesuits were committed to educating Salvadorians about their rights and supporting the poor in a time of extreme violence.  Jesuit universities throughout the US also host vigils for them on this weekend in November.

Saturday, we began the day with a lax soccer tournament at the university.    We then walked to a street that runs through the UCA (University of Central America).   Each department within the school created an alfombra, which is a large, carpet-looking piece of art created from colorful salt grains.  The alfombras were huge, vibrant, and moving.  The details were intricate.  Each alfombra told a powerful story or shouted an important message about human rights, faith, and/or Salvadorian history.  The alfombras lead to the area where we celebrated Mass that evening.  Check out the pictures below!

About six in the evening, a couple thousand people and I began processing around the university with candles in hand.  People traveled from all over El Salvador for the vigil.  We processed for two hours, passing memorial posters and tables decorated for the martyrs.  People sang together and load speakers projected readings.   We also remembered other groups of people who were killed throughout the war (teachers, church groups, and whole villages).

At eight, we began a Mass that reminded me of a World Youth Day mass due to its size and production.  There were about fifty priests on the altar and the homily was charged with a challenge to continue working for the rights of all while remaining hopeful.  It was powerful and well delivered.

At ten, some of the biggest bands in El Salvador performed for the people on the same stage as Mass.  The people celebrated together until 2am.  I didn’t make it that late, but I am continuously moved by the way Salvadorians celebrate life.