Students and staff of Perth’s Holy Cross College travelled to Rome to witness the Canonisation of their college patron, Saint Oscar Romero, on 14 October. Photo: Supplied.
Emeritus Archbishop Barry Hickey was joined by a group of students and staff from Holy Cross College to attend the Canonisation of Oscar Romero in St Peter’s Square on 14 October.
The Canonisation was held in conjunction with a Mass, celebrated by Pope Francis.
College Principal Mandy Connor said the students and staff were blessed to have witnessed the event in Rome.
“Holy Cross College chose Oscar Romero as their College patron in their first year in 2010, as he in his life spoke so clearly to the college vision, a community of transformation in the spirit of the risen Christ. At this time we could never imagine we would be there for his Canonisation,” she added.
Emeritus Archbishop Hickey with staff of Holy Cross College during the Canonisation of Saint Oscar Romero on 14 October. Photo: Supplied.
Ms Connor acknowledged the College’s gratitude to Emeritus Archbishop Barry Hickey for his assistance in obtaining tickets for the Canonisation Mass.
During their time in Rome, the group had the opportunity to meet with people from El Salvador who had known Oscar Romero.
“To be around the Salvadorian people who had met him, shook his hand and even worked with him was one of the emotional experiences of my life. I will never truly know the impact he had on those he encountered, but I will be forever grateful for the impact he had on me,” said Year 10 student John Topliss.
Prior to the Canonisation, the group walked from Arpino to the Benedictine Monastery at Monte Cassino, a 40-kilometre section of the pilgrimage route of the Camino di San Benedetto.
Saint Oscar Arnulfo Romero y Galdamez, the fourth Archbishop of San Salvador, was known for speaking out against poverty, social injustice, assassinations, and torture.
St Oscar Romero was assassinated on 24 March 1980, at the age of 62, while celebrating Mass in the chapel of the Hospital of Divine Providence.