In the Chapel at the Divine Providence Hospital, San Salvador, March 24, 1980...

"This body broken and blood shed for human beings encourages us to give our body and blood up to suffering and pain, as Christ did – not for self, but to bring justice and peace to our people. Let us be intimately united in faith and hope at this moment."

That very moment's prayer of faith and hope was met with gunshots, shrieks, panic, and mayhem. A bullet pierced the heart of the future Saint, splattering his blood upon the altar of the defiled sanctuary. Monsignor Oscar Romero’s homily, and life, were, in an instant, ended by assassination.

On this Mothers Day, with Markos Moulitsas in El Salvador paying final respects to the matriarch of his family, and Democrats beginning the process of laying to rest the presidential campaign of the matriarch of their party, I think it is appropriate to remember Archbishop Oscar Romero’s quest for justice and message of hope.