Sri Lankan Youth Mark St. Oscar Romero Anniversary with Lecture, Way of the Cross

Catholic youth in Sri Lanka commemorated the life and witness of St. Oscar Romero with a lecture and a contextualized Way of the Cross on March 28, highlighting his enduring relevance for justice and faith in today’s world.

The event, organized by Jesus Today Youth, Sri Lanka, marked the sixth annual celebration of the Salvadoran martyr since the initiative began in 2020. It was held at the parish hall of St. Peter and Paul Church, a coastal suburb of Colombo.

The annual commemoration aims to introduce Romero’s legacy to young Sri Lankans, especially in a post-war society still grappling with questions of justice, reconciliation, and human dignity. Through its website and youth programs, the Jesus Today Collective continues to promote awareness of the saint’s life and message.

The program opened with a memorial lecture delivered by Fr. Bennett Mellawa, former university chaplain of the Diocese of Anuradhapura. Reflecting on Romero’s transformation, he emphasized that the archbishop was not initially a radical figure.

“Archbishop Romero was not born a revolutionary, nor was he one at the start of his priesthood or even the beginning of his episcopate,” Fr. Mellawa said. “His life shows that when we remain open to the voice of God, He shapes us into instruments of liberation.”

Drawing parallels between El Salvador during the years of military repression and contemporary social realities, Mellawa described Romero as the “voice of the voiceless,” who courageously denounced injustice despite threats and isolation.

He also pointed to the personal cost of Romero’s mission, noting that the archbishop endured misunderstanding, deep anxiety, and constant danger. These experiences, he said, made Romero a source of spiritual solidarity for those facing psychological burdens and social marginalization today.

The lecture concluded with a call for Sri Lankan Christians to remain attentive to the suffering of the poor and marginalized, even as the country moves beyond the visible scars of war.

The commemoration also featured musical tributes, including a “Romero Song” composed by Fr. Anton Jayananda and another by Christian writer Tharangani Resika.

In the second part of the program, youth members led a Lenten Way of the Cross that connected each station of Christ’s passion with key moments from Romero’s life. The reflections invited participants to see the suffering of Christ mirrored in contemporary struggles for justice and human dignity.

Copies of the book “I Shall Rise in My People”: The Life, Death, and Resurrection of St. Oscar Romero, published by the Jesus Today Collective, were distributed to participants, encouraging deeper engagement with the saint’s prophetic witness.