SAN SALVADOR -- Salvadorans in El Salvador initiated a jubilee year commemorating the life and legacy of Archbishop Oscar Romero March 24.

Some 10,000 people marched through San Salvador city streets to the Cathedral where Mass was celebrated in the plaza outdoors. Throughout the breezy evening, the faithful --- a mix of poor campesinos, youth and international delegations --- carried candles, banners, and hopes for a more just world.

Romero's principal commitment "was the common good of all with an emphasis on the poor," said San Salvador Auxiliary Bishop Gregorio Rosa Chávez, principal celebrant. "God never abandons his people and their hope for dignity and human rights."

March 25, 2005 will mark 25 years since Monseńor Romero --- as he is affectionately called --- was slain by an assassin while celebrating Mass. The bishop had been outspoken in denouncing government death squads and repression of the poor during the 1970s.

Today Salvadorans continue to grapple with an economic crisis in which some 200 people leave El Salvador every day to escape poverty and to find opportunity and jobs they can't find in their own country.

"There are two pathways for the world --- fear and hope," said Bishop Rosa Chávez, following heated presidential elections won by the right wing Arena party March 21.

The Gospels, said the bishop, offer good news in how to keep moving forward with hope. "We have a commitment to say 'no' to fear and 'yes' to hope," he said.

Jubilee activities leading up to the 25th anniversary of Archbishop Romero's martyrdom include liturgies, cultural events, days of reflection, a youth conference in August, a theological symposium, and ecumenical services. The activities are largely being coordinated by the Archdiocese of San Salvador, Comite Nacional Romero and Fundacion Monseńor Romero.

Archbishop Romero's message is universal, said Bishop Eduardo Antonio Alas of the Diocese of Chalatenango.

"The presence of Msgr. Romero announces our hope for a world with greater solidarity and humanity," said Bishop Alas in Spanish during an interview with The Tidings.

He hoped that throughout the jubilee year Christians will come to rediscover Msgr. Romero's core values, including his commitment to prayer, fidelity to God's word and his decision to live as a poor man among the poor.

The bishop acknowledged that the figure of Msgr. Romero is still used by ideological and political movements to promote their political agenda. He hoped the jubilee year would help people to comprehend more fully that Msgr. Romero's commitment to the poor was based in his deep faith in God.

His humble acceptance of probable martyrdom was "triumphant," said the bishop, because "he died defending his people…. All he had was his faith which was very rich, his prophetic words, and the freedom to say them."

The paradox is that in killing him, his words "are like seeds that have spread throughout the world," said Bishop Alas.

Mauro Castagnaro traveled to El Salvador with an Italian delegation.

"Msgr. Romero strengthens the faith of many Italian Christians. Your pastor is now our pastor," said Castagnaro during a liturgy March 24 at the chapel where Archbishop Romero was slain in 1980.

Gaspar Romero told The Tidings he saw God's hand in the growing devotion to his brother's life and message. "Most people are forgotten with time. But more people are getting to know my brother. There is no logical explanation," he said.

Elba Ortega said she appreciated the archbishop's commitment to the people's liberation.

"He fought against injustice. Although he didn't succeed he left us much. He left us footprints which inspire us to keep moving forward," said the 18-year old novitiate.

Edwin Garcia Magno said the archbishop made him proud to be Salvadoran.

"We are prepared to follow and to give our lives for the poor which is what Christ and Msgr. Romero teach us," said Magno, 21. "Msgr. Romero helped us to become conscious of the dignity and the rights we have as persons. For us he keeps living and we have his message very clear in our hearts. All of us are now Msgr. Romero's microphone."

Editor's note: For more information about the Msgr. Oscar Romero jubilee year activities as well as copies of the archbishop's homilies, see www.romeroes.com.