There is a saying, "wherever you go, there you are" and today that certainly proved to be true. I'm a city girl, no matter where I go and today I got to visit the Capital city of San Salvador and fell in love with central america again.I made a friend here. His name is Walter and he also volunteers at the orphanage as a spiritual advisor. He lives in San Salvador and offered to show us around and to attend mass with him at the National Cathedral. We left early this morning and had a grand tour. Our first stop was the Hospital 
Chapel of Divinia Providencia, where Archbishop Oscar Romero was shot during mass in 1980. I knew about Msgr. Romero from my Fordham days (as he was a Jesuit who fought for the working classes in El Salvador). Seeing this history was incredible. We then went to the national Cathedral in the city center and viewed the crypt of Msgr. Romero and attended Sunday mass there. Msgr. Romero is revered here as a modern day saint, he is called the man who "gave a voice to the voiceless" as he openly spoke in favor of the rights of the working poor, farmers and other marginalized groups. The tributes to him were beautiful and there is an amazing statue which lies underneath the church, its completely dark metal except for a small red sphere that is bursting from his chest- his heart. You touch the heart and say
a prayer for the oppressed and for his strength. It was amazing.
Chapel of Divinia Providencia, where Archbishop Oscar Romero was shot during mass in 1980. I knew about Msgr. Romero from my Fordham days (as he was a Jesuit who fought for the working classes in El Salvador). Seeing this history was incredible. We then went to the national Cathedral in the city center and viewed the crypt of Msgr. Romero and attended Sunday mass there. Msgr. Romero is revered here as a modern day saint, he is called the man who "gave a voice to the voiceless" as he openly spoke in favor of the rights of the working poor, farmers and other marginalized groups. The tributes to him were beautiful and there is an amazing statue which lies underneath the church, its completely dark metal except for a small red sphere that is bursting from his chest- his heart. You touch the heart and say
a prayer for the oppressed and for his strength. It was amazing. We then visited some other amazing churches and historical buildings and had lunch in a traditional Salvadorian cafe. I had some shredded chicken in a biscuit, it was really good. And then to the bakery for - get this!- chocolate donut. So delicious. Finally we went to some great markets to browse and bargain.
What I love about San Salvador is the clashing of the old and new worlds. On one corner you have this amazing building with traditional spanish architecture and across the street is 
a Pizza hut. There were all these strange little storefront shops- like an arcade that was only open on sunday and mondays worn pool tables which would be next to a higher end shoe store. Or the road towards the main market has a beautiful Gothic church at one end. There are stone monuments marking the stations of the cross all down the road. Today I noticed a woman had set up her fruit cart at station seven! I loved the history, the architecture, the commercialism and how it all comes together to form this chaotic harmony that is any major city.
a Pizza hut. There were all these strange little storefront shops- like an arcade that was only open on sunday and mondays worn pool tables which would be next to a higher end shoe store. Or the road towards the main market has a beautiful Gothic church at one end. There are stone monuments marking the stations of the cross all down the road. Today I noticed a woman had set up her fruit cart at station seven! I loved the history, the architecture, the commercialism and how it all comes together to form this chaotic harmony that is any major city. The final comment I will make is that I was quite aware of the poverty in San Salvador. Many more beggars, homeless people and shoeless children. I couldn't help but imagining Msgr. Romero walking the streets here in the late 1970's bringing a message of hope- it was a very special day.
Hi Vicki..You were able to give us all a good picture of the patches that make up the quilt of San Salvador, an amazing Cathedral in all its glory to the financial district and the marketplace, bustling with activity. Enjoyed the sites and comments.
ReplyDeleteLove, Mom