Holy Cross remembers Jesuits martyred in El Salvador

By Tanya Connor

A martyr is defined as someone who willingly suffers death rather than renounce his or her religion, or someone who suffers much for his or her cause. Both apply to the Jesuits murdered in El Salvador 20 years ago this week; their cause and religion were one and the same.

Andrea Koris, a sophomore at the College of the Holy Cross, made this point Monday at an anniversary observance on the campus’ Martyrs Plaza.

“Their faith in God and their unwavering fight for social justice on behalf of the Salvadorans were intrinsically linked – they knew that the only way they could claim to love and follow God was if they fought for the human dignity of his people and actively sought to create his kingdom on earth,” she said of the Jesuits. “It was a faith of action – they lived in love with the poor and showed them another option for life – an option that said they do not have to remain in poverty. This ultimately cost the Jesuits their lives.”

Ms. Koris’ reflection, which included observations from her El Salvador immersion trip last spring, was part of a candlelight vigil led by students from Pax Christi – Holy Cross and the Magis Program for deepening faith. It followed a talk by Holy Cross Professor Emeritus James B. Nickoloff which was part of a series regarding Jesuits and martyrdom.

The vigil included music, prayer and a reading of the names of the slain with the response, “presente,” as if they were testifying to God’s power in the world.

Participants extended their hands in blessing over students headed for a protest at the United States School of the Americas in Fort Benning, Ga., which trained the Jesuits’ killers. Gordon Wong and Tia Carley, Pax Christi co-chairs, said they are among 12 students, a faculty member and a parent scheduled to attend the protest and Catholic social teaching events today through Sunday.

Professor Nickoloff said the Jesuits believed their intellectual work could change the balance of power, and did not rule out doing things just because of danger.

The subjects of their lectures were not fully in their hands, he said, but because of their trust in God the priests were free – from desire for wealth, power and prestige and from worry about failure. However, they were also bound – by their love for God and the Salvadorans.

They might have wanted to study something else and probably tired of setbacks, he said. Life also includes music, sport and travel. But they knew the poor were also sick of being poor.

The Jesuit martyrs were responsible for a shift in thinking; holiness refers more to “our convertibility than our convertedness,” he said. Openness to a change of direction is important. God’s voice comes through the despised, who refuse to go away.

Professor Nickoloff likened the Jesuits to Scripture’s story of the man born blind, whom the community rejected after Jesus healed him. (Jn 9) He said the Jesuits were born blind, unaware of poverty and injustice in the world and the connection between the two. Their change is historic.

Responding to a question, Professor Nickoloff said he thinks there is no future for Jesuit and Catholic education unless the Gospel is what it’s about. The particulars should be discussed locally, he said. He told students they are the people the college is there for; they have a right to be heard and make demands.

Professor Nickoloff’s talk was to close the college’s series about the Jesuits and martyrdom. Two events were postponed and one has been rescheduled. Cardinal Sean O’Malley of Boston is scheduled to celebrate Mass at 4 p.m. Jan. 25. Still to be announced is the date of a talk by U.S. Rep. James P. McGovern, D-Worcester, about the investigation into the murders.