WOMEN WITNESSES OF MERCY CELEBRATING THE EXTRAORDINARY WITNESS

Resource EDUCATION OF WOMEN DURING THE YEAR OF MERCY

Ita Ford & “I Will Walk With You” the feeling impotent? Can I say to my was born in , New neighbors I have no solutions to this York on April 23,1940. After college situation; I don’t know the answers, but I will walk with you, search with you, be at Marymount, she joined the with you. Can let myself be evangelized Sisters in 1961. Health by this opportunity? Can I look at and problems forced her to leave after accept my own poorness as I learn it three years. This was a difficult from the poor ones? personal trial her as she saw her But even in the midst of this plans derailed. For the next seven anguished searching, Ita was years she worked as an editor for known for her lively and generous a publishing company and then spirit. Maryknoll friends said of reapplied to Maryknoll and was her, “Ita’s buoyant personality, accepted. In 1973 she arrived in The destinies of Ita her wit, her sense of humor and Chile only a few months before the fun were striking contrast to the Ford, Maura Clarke, U.S.-backed military coup suffering and pain she experienced and overthrowing Salvador Allende’s throughout her life. Her twinkling were democratically elected eyes and elfin grin would surface joined together in just government. The following irrepressibly even in the midst of the last months of their years were bitter and filled with poverty and sorrow.” bloodshed. Thousands lives. Murdered together of suspected government by National Guardsmen Commitment to justice opponents were detained, In 1980 Ita and Carla responded in in 1980, executed, or disappeared. to a call for help from El Salvador’s their deaths became Thousands more endured torture Archbishop Oscar Romero. While a martyrdom for the and imprisonment. Ita lived in a poor enroute to their new mission they church of the poor shantytown in Santiago with Sr. Carl learned of his assassination on in El Salvador and for a Piette. There they ministered March 24, 1980. They were about to the poor during a time of thousands of Christians to join the martyred church of El repression, fear and increasing Salvador. in the . misery. Ita’s years in Chile made a profound impact. In 1977, coping In June, the two nuns began with feelings of inadequacy, she working with the Emergency wrote: Refugee Committee in Chalatenango. They witnessed Am I willing to suffer with the people here, the suffering of the powerless, first-hand the Salvadoran reality: the homeless, the persecuted, friend saying, the victims of savage repression “I do feel, and today I can say, now I and the counterinsurgency and have a heart of flesh. “ And Ita said, “You ‘re right, we do have hearts of the violence of a ruthless military flesh now. The Salvadoran people dictatorship determined to wipe have converted us.” out any trace of opposition. Ita and Carla wrote to Maryknoll Following Carla’s death, Sr. President Melinda Roper: Maura Clarke who was exploring the possibility of working in El Since the death of Monsignor Romero the news coverage on Salvador has Salvador, came to help Ita in the declined to almost nothing. The refugee work in Chalatenango. Committee fears that decisive action Maura was a great personal will he taken by our [U.S.] government support, and said of her new under the guise of ‘stopping colleague, “Ita is a powerful communism’ — and that all of Central example, a blessing to be with America will be involved if it happens. her.” But real healing came It’s a heavy scene — but if we have a preferential option for the poor as for Ita at the five-day regional well as a commitment for justice as a assembly of Maryknoll Sisters basis for the coming of the Kingdom, on Thanksgiving weekend we ‘re going to have to take sides in in Nicaragua. Friends there El Salvador — correction — we have. said they saw her old spirit returning. At the closing liturgy on “The Salvadoran People Have December 1, Ita read a passage “You’re right, we do Converted Us” from one of Romero’s final On August 23 Carla and Ita took have hearts of flesh homilies: their jeep to pick up a political Christ invites us not to fear now. The Salvadoran prisoner and take him home, a people have converted persecution because, believe me, service they often performed brothers and sisters, the one who us.” for those whose lives were is committed to the poor must risk threatened with violence. On the same fate as the poor, and in El Ita Ford the way back they were caught Salvador we know what the fate of in a flash flood. Carla pushed the poor signifies: to disappear, to be Ita out the jeep window. As the tortured, to be held captive and to be f rampaging water carried her ound dead. downstream, Ita remembered The following day, December 2, praying, “Receive me, Lord, I’m 1980, she and Maura boarded a coming.” Finally she managed plane to return to El Salvador. to grab onto a branch and pull herself to the river bank. Sister Maura Clarke, M.M. “The Angel of Our Land” Carla’s body was found the next Maura Clarke was born on morning. For Ita, the impact of January 13,1931, and lived in the loss of her dearest friend Queens, New York. She joined was profound. It also left her Maryknoll in 1950 and in 1959 with the question of why she had was sent to Siuna, a remote city been spared. After the tragedy, in eastern Nicaragua. There she catechist Noemi Ortiz visited her taught school and did pastoral and wrote: work in a Capuchin parish. After we rescued Ita from the waters, By 1972 she was working in I remember Ita [lying] on the bed and Managua, when a devastating we were all around her, and she was earthquake hit this capital city. sharing the following with us. She said that Carla had just written a letter to a An estimated ten to twenty thousand people perished. desperate. Trapped on an upper floor of She returned for a visit in 1980, the parish house, the Maryknoll in time for the first anniversary Sisters devised a rope of sheets, celebration of the victory. She climbed down and began was described as “bubbling with tending the wounded and joy” at the spirit she found upon digging bodies of the dead her return, a spirit of incredible from the rubble. Friends said of relief, of hope and freedom after Maura, “She was out-standing the 45-year Somoza dynasty. And in her generosity…She would she was happy to be back with give whatever she had to the her friends of 20 long years. poor. She was accustomed to living in poverty.” Others said “Will I Be Faithful?” she was “supportive…always But Maura had also been saw the good in others…was pondering the appeal of very gentle…could always make Archbishop Romero for help in those whose lives she touched El Salvador. On August 5, just feel loved.” In Nicaragua, she two and a half weeks before the was known by the people as “the death of Sr. Carla Piette, Maura angel of our land.” Clarke went to El Salvador to In 1977 Maura returned to the explore the possibility of working United States to take her turn there. It was a hard decision doing the work of mission and to leave behind 20 years of vocation promotion. Traveling in relationships in Nicaragua at various parts of the country with such an exciting moment in the Maryknoll Sisters’ World its history, and to take on the Awareness Team, she once said: human and pastoral challenge “I see in this work a channel for of El Salvador in a time of awakening real concern for the persecution. After Carla’s death, victims of injustice in today’s her Maryknoll sister, Ita Ford “Christ invites us not world; a means to work for needed help. Maura decided to to fear persecution change, and to share…deep journey to El Salvador to work because, believe concern for the sufferings of the at Ita’s side. She was quickly me, brothers and poor and marginalized, the non- immersed in emergency work for sisters, the one who is persons of our human family.” the victims of the repression. She committed to the poor Maura was not in Nicaragua for wrote: must risk the same fate the July 1979, fall of the Somoza We have the refugees, women and as the poor, and in El dictatorship, but she greeted the children, outside our door and some Salvador we know what news with joy. After 20 years in of their stories are incredible. What is the country, she knew only too happening here is all so impossible, the fate of the poor well the the effect this military but happening. The endurance of signifies: to disappear, the poor and their faith through this to be tortured, to be dictatorship had on the lives of terrible pain is constantly pulling me the people. She had seen for to a deeper faith response. held captive and to be herself how the international The days were often difficult and found dead.” earthquake relief money ended the internal struggle radically up in the pockets of the elite… Archbishop challenging: the dictator Anastasia Somosa, Oscar Romero his family and his friends. My fear of death is being challenged Meanwhile, the lives of the poor, constantly as children, lovely young girls, old people are being shot especially those in thedevastated and some cut up with machetes capital, became even more and bodies thrown by the road and people prohibited from burying them. from scratch but it must be His A loving Father must have a new plan and He is teaching me and life of unimaginable joy and peace there is real peace in spite of many prepared for these precious unknown, frustrations and the terror around us uncelebrated martyrs. One cries out: and the work.. God is very present in Lord how long? And then too what His seeming absence. creeps into my mind is the little fear, or big, that when it touches me very The day following the assembly, personally, will I be faithful? Maura gave her all for the people In November, Maura, Ita, and two of El Salvador and for her God. others travelled to Nicaragua for the regional assembly of the “Martyrs” Means Witnesses Maryknoll sisters. There, before The deaths of Ita, Maura, all the Maryknoll Sisters of Jean and Dorothy can be truly Central America, Maura affirmed understood as a martyrdom her commitment to remain in because the women did what El Salvador, “to search out the Jesus of Nazareth did, and what missing, pray with the families he told us we should do — they of prisoners, bury the dead, and loved the poor, and laid down work with the people in their their lives for them. In this way, struggle to break out of the they became “friends” of Jesus bonds of oppression, poverty, (John 10:15, 15:12-14, 13:34-35). and violence” (words written by In doing so,they became martyrs, friends of Maura). She told them which also means “witnesses.” the days would be difficult and Their stories, their names recited ... they loved the poor, together now as a litany, speak to and laid down their dangerous, but assured the other sisters of her “certain confidence us on the most profound levels lives for them. In this of faith— the meaning of the way, they became in God’s loving care of her, Ita, and all the people.” She wrote: Christian journey, the meaning of ‘friends’ of Jesus... discipleship, the cross, and the I want to stay on now, I believe now resurrection. that this is right...Here I am starting

This essay was originally adapted, with permission from the website of the Religious Task Force on Central America and Mexico, and used with permission from the InterReligious Task Force on Cental America www.irtfcleveland.org. References: Dear, John S.J. Jean Donovan: The Call to Swedish, Margaret. A Message too Precious Discipleship. Erie: Benet Press, 1986. to be Silenced: The Four Churchwomen and the Meaning of Martyrdom. Glavac, Cynthia, O.S.U. In the Fullness of Washington, Life: A Biography of Dorothy Kazel. O.S.U. D.C.: The Religious Task Force on Central Cleveland: Ursuline Academy of America and Mexico, 1992. Cleveland, 1996. Zagano, Phyllis. Ita Ford: Missionary Martyr Noone, Judith M., M.M. The Same Fate as . New Jersey: Paulist Press, 1996. the Poor. New York: Orbis Books, 1995

www.futurechurch.org 17307 Madison Avenue 216.228.0869 Lakewood, OH 44107

WOMEN WITNESSES OF MERCY CELEBRATING THE EXTRAORDINARY WITNESS

Resource EDUCATION OF WOMEN DURING THE YEAR OF MERCY

Jean Donovan & Dorothy Kazel On the evening of December 2, Dorothy deeper sense of how precious is life. Kazel and Jean Donovan drove their She received a masters degree in van to the airport outside San Salvador business administration from Case to pick up Maryknoll Sisters Ita Ford Western Reserve University, then took and Maura Clarke who were returning a job as management consultant for an from a Maryknoll regional assembly accounting firm in Cleveland. She was in Managua. After leaving the airport, on her way to a successful business their van was commandeered at a road career. block by members of El Salvador s National Guard. They were taken to an Not a shy or withdrawn type, Jean’s isolated location, sexually abused, shot friends characterised her as outgoing, and buried in a shallow grave along a and someone who often did outra- roadside. geous things to get attention. Her Art by Marcy Hall mother, Patricia, described her as “a Who are these women, and what led gutsy, loving, caring person.” She them to this fate, the “same fate as the loved riding her motorcycle and was poor, “ as the Maryknoll Sisters called known for once pouring scotch, her The destinies of Ita it. (Noone, Judith) What were they drink of choice, over her breakfast doing in El Salvador? How did they Ford, Maura Clarke, cereal. Her spirit and generosity drew understand their role as missioners, loyal friends who later were left to Jean Donovan and and why did this lead them into conflict grapple with the choices Jean made. Dorothy Kazel were with forces of a military government that killed them? And what, after all, joined together in just Search for Meaning does this have to say to us? But Jean was not content. She began the last months of their to search for deeper meaning in lives. Murdered together Jean Donovan her life. While volunteering with the Jean Donovan was born on April 10, by National Guardsmen Cleveland diocesan youth ministry 1953, the younger of two children with the poor, she heard about the in El Salvador in 1980, and raised in an upper-middle class diocese’s mission project in El Salvador. their deaths became family in Westport, Connecticut. Her It was what she had been looking for. father, Raymond, was an executive a martyrdom for the Jean attributed her decision to “a gut engineer, and later chief of design, at feeling,” and said: “I want to get closer church of the poor the nearby Sikorsky Aircraft Division of to Him, and that’s the only way I think I in El Salvador and for the United Technologies, a large defense can.” contractor for the U.S. thousands of Christians Jean was also much affected by in the United States. Jean was deeply affected when her time spent in Ireland as an exchange brother Michael was struck with student, where Fr. Michael Crowley, Hodgkins disease, from which he made himself a former missionary in Peru, a complete recovery. The experience of introduced her to the world of the poor the disease and his courageous battle and a life of faith committed to a more to conquer it left a strong impression radical following of Jesus of Nazareth. and, as she said later, gave her a Jean was haunted by this experience and began to question her own values very personal ways. Friends were killed in life. by death squads and she had witnessed The director of the Maryknoll mission one such killing. In the fall of 1980 Jean program, Sister Mary Anne O’Donnell, took a break from this tense reality described Jean as intelligent, loving to attend the wedding of a friend in and apostolic. She believed that, Ireland. She was reunited with her despite (or because of?) her fun-loving, fiance, Dr. Douglas Cable. Many of her hard-living ways, she had the signs of friends tried to persuade her to leave El being a good missioner. Salvador, but she comforted them with the quip, “They don’t kill blond-haired, “St. Jean the Playful” blue-eyed North Americans.” After her training, which included a In fact, she and Dorothy often stint at Maryknoll, Jean arrived in El used their very visible presence to Salvador in July 1979. The repression accompany people in danger, or to was intensifying and the church was get supplies into areas not accessible increasingly a major target. She became to others. They became a well-known Caritas coordinator for the diocesan sight, driving along the countryside mission program. In addition to keeping in their mission van. As violence the books, she worked in La Libertad engulfed the country, Jean felt the with Dorothy Kazel, distributing food to personal challenge of trying to cope, the poor, the refugees and carrying out to understand what was happening. family education programs. Her mother It tested her faith. “I think that the Patricia said of her work: hardship one endures, maybe, is God’s way of taking you out into the desert Jean took her commitment to the and to prepare you to meet and love campesinos very seriously. She was him more fully.” And while she had strongly motivated by St. Francis of been a loyal patriotic Republican, “Several times I have Assisi and by Archbishop Oscar Romero. decided to leave El she also saw the direct connection She translated God’s teachings into between the violence in El Salvador Salvador. I almost clothing for the poor, feeding the hungry, and the policies of the United States. In could except for the and caring for the wounded refugees November 1980, Ronald Reagan won — mainly children — who had lost what the presidential election promising a children, the poor little they had… bruised victims of this strong stand against “Communism.” As for the people of La Libertad, they The Salvadoran government got the insanity. loved Jean Donovan and dubbed her message. Who would care for “St. Jean the Playful.” them? “Except for the children” Coping with Repression Wrote Jean’s mother Patricia: heart Whose would be Jean was deeply devoted to San Things grew progressively worse in so staunch as to favor Salvador’s Archbishop Oscar Romero, El Salvador after the United States the reasonable thing in often coming to the cathedral on election…The military believed they Sundays to hear his homilies. These a sea of their tears and were given a blank check — no were commonly held to be the only restrictions. In light of what happened, helplessness? source of news and truth left in who’s to say they weren’t? Jean had Not mine, dear friend, El Salvador. After Msgr. Romero’s told us that she feared there would be a assassination by the military in March bloodbath in El Salvador. not mine.” 1980, Jean and Dorothy were among the many who kept vigil at his coffin. Two weeks before she was murdered, Jean Donovan They were also present at his with the bloodbath already begun, she funeral when security forces attacked wrote to a friend in Connecticut: the overflow crowd outside the Several times I have decided to leave cathedral. The massacre and resulting El Salvador. I almost could except for stampede left 44 dead and hundreds the children, the poor bruised victims of wounded. As Jean sat crowded among this insanity. Who would care for them? the desperate people who fled into the Whose heart would be so staunch as to cathedral for safety, she fully believed favor the reasonable thing in a sea of that she might die that day. their tears and helplessness? Not mine, The repression touched her in other dear friend, not mine. Betrayal by U.S. Government was a personal challenge: homeless people, especially women and children, to the refugee centers. Jean’s death was a profound blow I’m 26 years old. I should be married. She wrote home about the corpses for her family. When, she first told I shouldn’t be running around doing that daily were being found along them she was going to El Salvador, all of these things. But then I think, the roadsides and described the they pulled out a map to find out I’ve got so many things I want to do. mutilations as ‘sick, demonic.’” Sr. where it was. Now they had lost It’s hard when I see my friends getting Sheila Marie Tobbe OSU, a friend their only daughter in this tiny married and having babies, that’s and visitor to El Salvador, said of the country that had become a major something I’ve thought about…am I work of Dorothy and her companion focus of U.S. foreign policy. But ever going to have kids ? Sometimes I Jean Donovan: Jean’s death was not the only blow. wonder if I’m denying that to myself. I Following her death they had to really don’t want to, but that’s maybe They went to El Salvador, a country deal with what for them became the what I’m doing. And then I sit there named after the Savior of the World, betrayal by the very government and talk to God and say, why are you to preach the good news to the poor. they thought embodied values doing this to me? Why can’t I just be They trained catechists, assisted of justice and political good. your little suburban housewife? He in the formation of Basic Christian When they approached the State hasn’t answered yet. Communities, carried out sacramental Department for information, they preparation programs, and oversaw were treated coolly at first, then with Sr. Dorothy Kazel, O.S.U. the distribution of Catholic Relief outright hostility. Eventually State “An Alleluia from Head to Foot” aid and Caritas food supplies.[They Department officials told them to Dorothy Kazel was born on June 30, were also] engaged in working with stop bothering them. In April 1981, 1939 and joined the Ursuline Sisters, refugees: securing food and medical at a hearing before the Senate a teaching order in Cleveland, in supplies, finding shelters for them, Foreign Relations Committee, all 1960. Before entering religious life, taking the sick and wounded to but one Republican Senator left the she was engaged to be married. But medical clinics. They were unable to room when her brother, Michael, she experienced a call to religious take the wounded to government- appeared to testify. life and postponed her marriage in sponsored hospitals for fear that these innocent victims would be The final insult came when the order to test her calling. killed right there in the hospital...In Donovans received a bill from the Dorothy taught for seven years in the process of these duties, they fell State Department for $3,500 for Cleveland and became involved in in lovewith the beauty and warmth the return of Jean’s body to the ecumenical and interracial of the Salvadoran people. (Reflection, U.S. The scandal of the way the community programs in the city. At December 14,1980). U.S. government treated this case, a 1968 community retreat, another including Reagan administration sister remembers Dorothy saying This cruel reality deeply affected officials accusing the women of that she wanted to beremembered Dorothy’s understanding and “running a roadblock,” of engaging as “an alleluia from head to foot.” experience of her own faith as she in “an exchange of fire,” of being shared the suffering of the people In 1974 Dorothy joined the diocese “not just nuns…but political and accompanied them in their grief of Cleveland’s mission team in El activists,” enraged the Donovans and in their hope. In a November Salvador. The team consisted of nine and the families of the other women. 1980 letter, she wrote: members working in three parishes. As levels of U.S. military aid Their main tasks involved visiting the [El Salvador is] writhing in pain — a escalated, Jean’s mother wrote, homes of parishioners and preparing country that daily faces the loss of “Jean deserves, at the very least, people for the sacraments. Her so many of its people — and yet that her native land not reward brother James said of Dorothy’s a country that is waiting, hoping, her killers.” The head of the decision, “She wanted to work with yearning for peace. The steadfast National Guard, whose troops were the people who didn’t have the faith and courage our leaders have to responsible for the , Gen. advantages of the people in the continue preaching the Word of the Eugenio Vides Casanova, went on to United States. She wanted to spread Lord even though it may mean ‘laying become Minister of Defense under the Gospel to people who needed down your life’ in the very REAL sense the “democratic” government of help.” is always a point of admiration Jose Napoleon Duarte (1984-89). and a vivid realization that JESUS is Suffering Faith HERE with us. Yes, we have a sense Talking to God By the late 1970’s, the increased of waiting, hoping, and yearning for a Jean’s time in El Salvador led her to repression and political violence was complete realization of the Kingdom, those fundamental challenges of the changing the character of the team’s and yet we know it will come because meaning of life, of faith, in a world work. Explained Maryknoll priest we can celebrate Him here right now. torn by injustice and violence against Stephen T. DeMott: “Dorothy spent the poorest, the most vulnerable. It more and more time transporting “Please Explain it For Me” I had been fortunate to meet women theologians…They, along with the little While danger was closing in on the I’ve actually read about you, do give mission, team, Dorothy and the others me the hope that the reign of God is wrestled with what they should do. On making headway — and for this I am October 3, she wrote to a friend: grateful. Do continue to be Spirit-filled We talked quite a bit today about what and challenging. Please keep the people happens IF something begins. Most of of El Salvador before the Lord as we are us feel we would want to stay here… literally living in a time of persecution and We wouldn’t want to just run out on the in need of his strength. people…! thought I should say this to you because I don’t want to say it to “Martyrs” Means Witnesses anyone else — because I don’t think they Dorothy never made it back to the would understand. Anyway, my beloved United States. On the evening of friend, just know how I feel and ‘treasure December 2,1980, she and Jean it in your heart.’ If a day comes when Donovan got into their van to pick up others will have to understand, please Maryknoll Sisters Maura Clarke and Ita explain it for me. Ford from the airport. Their cruel yet That same month, Dorothy wrote a ultimately victorious fate is now history. letter to Sr. Theresa Kane, a member of Their deaths can be truly understood as the leadership team for the Sisters of a martyrdom because the women did Mercy. She was responding to an article what Jesus of Nazareth did, and what she had read about a talk given by he told us we should do - they loved Theresa to the Leadership Conference the poor, and laid down their lives for “Please keep of Women Religious. She wrote: them. In this way, they became“friends” the people of El I was especially impressed with what of Jesus (John 10:15, 15:12-14, 13:34- Salvador before you had to say about the ‘middle class 35). In doing so, they became martyrs the Lord as we are nature of US nuns’ work’ — and how which also means “witnesses.” Their literally living in a important it is to serve the poor and stories, their names recited together oppressed. I believe that wholeheartedly now as a litany, speak to us on the most time of persecution — that’s why I’m here in El Salvador. I profound levels of faith — the meaning and in need of his should be coming back to the states of the Christian journey, the meaning strength. next year — it will be then that I face a of discipleship, the cross, and the ” greater challenge… Within this past year resurrection. Dorothy Kazel This essay was originally adapted, with permission from the website of the Religious Task Force on Central America and Mexico, and used with permission from the InterReligious Task Force on Cental America www.irtfcleveland.org.

References: Dear, John S.J. Jean Donovan: The Call to Swedish, Margaret. A Message too Precious Discipleship. Erie: Benet Press, 1986. to be Silenced: The Four Churchwomen and the Meaning of Martyrdom. Glavac, Cynthia, O.S.U. In the Fullness of Life: A Washington, D.C.: The Biography of Dorothy Kazel. O.S.U. Cleveland: Religious Task Force on Central America and Ursuline Academy of Mexico, 1992. Cleveland, 1996. Zagano, Phyllis. Ita Ford: Missionary Martyr Noone, Judith M., M.M. The Same Fate as the . New Jersey: Paulist Press, 1996. Poor. New York: Orbis Books, 1995

www.futurechurch.org 17307 Madison Avenue 216.228.0869 Lakewood, OH 44107

WOMEN WITNESSES OF MERCY CELEBRATING THE EXTRAORDINARY WITNESS

Resource EDUCATION OF WOMEN DURING THE YEAR OF MERCY

What is Mercy? Lessons from El Salvador by Russ Petrus

I grew up on a tree lined, brick street, What is Mercy? in a well cared-for home with loving I suppose my Salvadoran story parents and two great brothers and Over the course of begins with the Jesuit theologian Jon a golden retriever. My childhood was four years, as a parish Sobrino. Long before I ever traveled the kind where you could set out to El Salvador, I was introduced to youth minister, I had the on your bike on a Saturday morning Sobrino’s writing during my graduate privilege of traveling to play with friends, explore the studies and returned to his work neighborhood, eat lunch at the home to that mountain before, during and after my trips of whoever you were with at that village five times. It to El Salvador. Sobrino had been moment, and return home in time for was there that my faith working and writing at the University a homemade dinner just as the street of Central America in San Salvador, came to life, that all lights were coming on. After some which he helped found, as the civil my education started family time, I went to bed happy, war (1980-1992) raged around him. loved, safe, satisfied, and secure. I to really make sense. Sobrino was travelling when members was given a Catholic education, grade I was and continue to of the military broke into the rectory school through grad school. be transformed by El and brutally murdered his six fellow Salvador: its people, Despite service opportunities, great Jesuits, their housekeeper, and her teachers, an abundance of reading, 15-year old daughter. Transformed its suffering, its history, and parents who didn’t try to shield by his Salvadoran experience – its martyrs, and its me from the world around me, Sobrino in turn transformed my own theologians. nothing in my upbringing could have faith and certainly transformed my prepared me for my first trip to the understanding of mercy. rural mountain village of Chiltiupan, El On my first trip to El Salvador, as Salvador. our coaster bus was climbing the Over the course of four years, as mountain into Chiltiupan, I was a parish youth minister, I had the comfortable to look upon homes privilege of traveling to that mountain built out of what we would consider village five times. It was there that my garbage – old tires, scrap metal, faith came to life, that all my education stones, mud, and sticks – from a safe started to really make sense. I was distance, behind the glass of a window and continue to be transformed by El as we went on. Salvador: its people, its suffering, its But the words of Sobrino in his book, history, its martyrs, and its theologians. The Principle of Mercy: Taking the Crucified People from the Cross, wouldn’t let me. Reflecting on mercy sentiment, a sense of feeling sorry in light of the Parable of the Good for the other. It is a fundamental Samaritan he writes, “For Jesus, to way of understanding oneself in be a human being is to react with relationship to the rest of the world. mercy. Without this reaction, the If I am to be truly human and truly essence of the human is vitiated in Christian, mercy should compel me its root as occurred with the priest to join myself with those who are and the Levite who ‘saw him and suffering, to see the very suffering I went on’.” am tempted to turn away from as my To continue to hide in the confines own suffering, to make myself a part of the bus out of some sense of of the story and to do something to comfort, to consider the poverty I put an end to it. was seeing from a purely intellectual point of view would make me like the priest or the Levite, who turned “We cannot do everything, away and went on. No, mercy and there is a sense of demanded that I get off the bus and liberation in realizing that” go beyond those makeshift walls. But as I took in what I heard and And so we did. Sister Rose, the saw in Chiltiupan, I found myself Ursuline nun who was the missionary not knowing where to start. On the in Chiltiupan, took us into the plane back to the United States I homes to meet the people and remember asking God, ‘in the face to hear their stories. I heard the of so much suffering, how can I stories of victims of war, hunger, possibly do anything to eradicate “mercy demanded undiagnosed illnesses, severe it?’ I was heart-broken and I didn’t that I get off the bus depression, and poverty. It seemed know what to do about it. Jesus, in almost too much to bear and again and go beyond those the parable of the Good Samaritan I was tempted to turn away from the and through the words of Jon makeshift walls” stories, to go back to the bus. Sobrino was asking too much of me But again, the words of Sobrino – of anyone. Would I ever go back? wouldn’t let me. He goes on further Could I ever go back? to say that “the ideal human being, These are the questions I often the complete human being, is asked of God and myself after that the one who interiorizes, absorbs first trip to Chiltiupan. in one’s innards, the suffering of another …in such a way that this In response, the words of a prayer* interiorized suffering becomes a inspired by Oscar Romero, the part of them…” I needed to hear martyred Archbishop of San the stories of the people – no matter Salvador, began to echo in my head: how much they broke my heart or We accomplish in our lifetime only overwhelmed me – and allow myself a tiny fraction of the magnificent to be transformed by them. enterprise that is God’s work. Nothing we do is complete, For Sobrino, “mercy is a basic which is a way of saying that the attitude toward the suffering of Kingdom always lies beyond us… another, whereby one reacts to We cannot do everything, and there eradicate that suffering for the is a sense of liberation in realizing sole reason that it exists, and in that. the conviction that, in this reaction to the ought-not-be of another’s This enables us to do something, suffering, one’s own being, without and to do it very well. any possibility of subterfuge, hangs It may be incomplete, but it is a in the balance.” Understood in this beginning, a step along the way, way, mercy is more than a fleeting an opportunity for the Lord’s grace to enter and do the rest… party, of course! Before I knew it the pastor was The youth group and I began asking me what my plan was for planning. We’d invite all of the the youth trip to El Salvador that children who lived in Chiltiupan to was quickly approaching. I kept attend. We’d set the whole thing up reminding myself, “We cannot do in front of the church. There would everything and there is a sense be carnival games, prizes, face of liberation in realizing that. This painting, food, music, dancing and enables us to do something, and to even a piñata. Teens from Chiltiupan do it very well.” would help us run the various But what was it that we could do? stations and give directions to all of the children. As I set out to plan the youth trip, I began to reflect on my experiences on that first trip to El Salvador, trying “JESUS is HERE with us” to identify the experiences I had Hundreds of children from that I wanted the teens to have as Chiltiupan turned out for our first well. I remembered that on the first fiesta, which became an annual day, we traveled to the site where tradition. As I walked around “At that fiesta and the four churchwomen, Dorothy checking in on the teens as they time and time again, Kazel, Jean Donovan, Ita Ford, and led the children in games as I saw I was inspired by the Maura Clarke had been brutally the smiles and heard the laughter murdered. I remembered the faith and hope of the of the kids, I was overcome by a feeling that I was walking on holy Salvadoran people. familiar feeling. It was the same ground when we were there. I had feeling that I had when I first Despite everything the feeling that Jesus was present walked onto the ground where they had experienced, there in a unique way. I remembered the four churchwomen had been despite their suffering, being struck by Sr. Rose’s talk about murdered. It was the feeling that I the women and all they did for the they still found reasons was walking on holy ground, that poor, the children, and the refugees to celebrate the gift of Jesus was present there in a unique who had been displaced by war. life and the presence way. Each trip back to Chiltiupan, I The common thread in each of got that feeling again and again. It and goodness of their stories as Sr. Rose told it was must have been the same feeling that – despite the gravity of the God.” that Sister Dorothy Kazel felt when situation and the suffering that they she wrote “The steadfast faith witnessed and experienced on a and courage our leaders have to daily basis – they each were filled continue preaching the Word of with joy. I remembered that Jean the Lord even though it may mean Donovan had even come to be ‘laying down your life’ in the very known as “St. Jean the Playful” by REAL sense is always a point of her friends at home and even by the admiration and a vivid realization people of La Libertad. that JESUS is HERE with us. Yes, we On my first trip, during a have a sense of waiting, hoping, and conversation with a group of yearning for a complete realization Salvadoran teens, I had asked them of the Kingdom, and yet we know it what life was like in Chiltiupan. will come because we can celebrate Much to my surprise, their answer Him here right now.” was the same that any of the teens At that fiesta and time and time in my youth group would have again, I was inspired by the faith given about their own home town: and hope of the Salvadoran people. “boring.” Despite everything they had It all came together. What could a experienced, despite their suffering, group of teenagers and I, a youth they still found reasons to celebrate minister in his twenties, in the words the gift of life and the presence and of Romero, “do very well”? Throw a goodness of God. Presente! In El Salvador, there is a tradition of responding “presente!” (or On my most recent trip to El “present!”) to a litany of the names Salvador, I knew that I was changing of saints and martyrs. Their faith tells jobs and that it might be my last them that Oscar Romero, Dorothy trip there for a while and perhaps Kazel, Jean Donovan, Ita Ford, my last one ever. It was hard to Maura Clarke and the countless say goodbye to the people who anonymous martyrs who died in the had taught me so much, who had civil war and beyond are there, with inspired me, and who had brought them. Today, when I participate in a my faith to life. But I am convinced litany of saints, I can’t help but say that I have only begun to learn from the names of the women, men, and my Salvadoran experience and children in Chiltiupan and respond that through it God is continuing “presente!” as I know they continue to transform me in ways that I can’t to be a part of my story, my life, my even begin to comprehend. journey. Art by Marcy Hall

*Archbishop Romero was not -- in fact -- the source of the prayer. Bishop Ken Untener, had written Their faith tells them the prayer for Cardinal Dearden, then Archbishop of Detroit, to read at a memorial mass for priests. How this prayer came to be attributed to Oscar Romero remains a mystery. However, the words do that Oscar Romero, the life that Archbishop Romero lived. Dorothy Kazel, Jean Donovan, Ita Ford, Maura Clarke and the countless anonymous Questions for Reflection martyrs who died in the civil war and & Discussion beyond are there, with Sobrino defines mercy as “a basic attitude toward the suffering of another, them. whereby one reacts to eradicate that suffering for the sole reason that it exists, and in the conviction that, in this reaction to the ought-not-be of another’s suffering, one’s own being, without any possibility of subterfuge, hangs in the balance.” How does this definition impact your own understanding of mercy?

Where do you see suffering today? In the world? Your community? Your own life?

The prayer, often attributed to Oscar Romero, reminds us that “We cannot do everything and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that. This enables us to do something, and to do it very well.” In the midst of the suffering you see -- despite any feelings of helplessness -- what can you do to help eradicate that suffering?

Dorothy Kazel was able to see Jesus present to her and the people of El Salvador even in the midst of their suffering. Are you able to see the presence of Jesus in the midst of your own suffering? The suffering of others? How so?

The people of El Salvador believe celebrate the presence of saints and martyers in their daily life. Do you have personal saints, witnesses, or holy people that walk with you in your life? How are you present to the people in www.futurechurch.org 17307 Madison Avenue 216.228.0869 Lakewood, OH 44107 your life?

WOMEN WITNESSES OF MERCY CELEBRATING THE EXTRAORDINARY WITNESS

Resource EDUCATION OF WOMEN DURING THE YEAR OF MERCY

SOLIDARITY The lives of Maura Clarke, Ita Ford, almost could except for the children, Jean Donovan and Dorothy Kazel the poor bruised victims of this were extraordinary witnesses to the insanity. Who would care for them? principle of solidarity, one of the seven Whose heart would be so staunch themes of Catholic Social Teaching. as to favor the reasonable thing in a Solidarity is rooted in the conviction sea of their tears and helplessness? that we are one human family Not mine, dear friend, not mine.” regardless of our national, racial, Ultimately, Jean and the other women ethnic, economic, and ideological suffered the same fate as thousands of differences. To stand in solidarity the Salvadoran people -- one final act with the whole of the human family in a long line of acts of solidarity. is to understand and believe that our Pope Paul VI famously said, “If you own well being is inextricably linked want peace, work for justice.” Justice “Today more than to the well being of the other, to the -- and therefore peace -- is the ever, I think it is common good. ultimate goal of solidarity. If we truly necessary to educate Saint Paul’s image of the Body love our neighbor, we will stand in ourselves in solidarity, of Christ is a good visual for solidarity with them, seeking peace understanding solidarity. We are all and justice for them in a world that is to rediscover the value torn by violence and conflict. and meaning of this very individually members of the Body of Christ, if one of us suffers, the whole of The world continues to stand in need uncomfortable word, us suffers. of solidarity. In fact, Pope Francis which oftentimes has In giving the Great Commandment, says the world is in need of it now been left aside, and to Jesus said to “love your neighbor as more than ever: “Today more than make it become a basic yourself” (Mt. 22:39). Loving one’s ever, I think it is necessary to educate ourselves in solidarity, to rediscover attitude in decisions neighbor is a global imperative in a shrinking world. We are our brothers’ the value and meaning of this very made at the political, and sisters’ keepers, wherever they uncomfortable word, which oftentimes economic and financial may be. has been left aside, and to make it levels, in relationships become a basic attitude in decisions These four women lived solidarity made at the political, economic between persons, and the Great Commandment. In the and financial levels, in relationships peoples and nations.“ midst of the civil war, they had every between persons, peoples and reason, and likely many opportunities, nations.” to leave El Salvador. But their love Pope Francis for the Salvadoran people kept them As you contemplate the witness there, in solidarity with the people. of these four women, consider contemplating, too, the concept of Jean Donovan wrote, “Several times solidarity, and how you might live it I have decided to leave El Salvador. I more fully in your own life. Solidarity in Scripture Solidarity in Tradition If there is any encouragement in Christ, any [Solidarity] is not a feeling of vague compassion solace in love, any participation in the Spirit, any or shallow distress at the misfortunes of so many compassion and mercy, complete my joy by people, both near and far. On the contrary, it is being of the same mind, with the same love, a firm and persevering determination to commit united in heart, thinking one thing. Do nothing oneself to the common good; that is to say, to out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, the good of all and of each individual, because humbly regard others as more important than we are all really responsible for all. yourselves, each looking out not for his own On Social Concern (Sollicitudo rei Socialis), #38 interests, but(also) everyone for those of others. Philippians 2 We have to move from our devotion to independence, through an understanding of For the sake of the house of the LORD, our God, interdependence, to a commitment to human I pray for your good. solidarity. That challenge must find its realization Psalm 122 in the kind of community we build among us. Love implies concern for all - especially the As a body is one though it has many parts, and poor - and a continued search for those social all the parts of the body, though many, are one and economic structures that permit everyone body, so also Christ. For in one Spirit we were all to share in a community that is a part of a baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, redeemed creation (Rom 8:21-23). slaves or free persons, and we were all given to Economic Justice for All, #365 drink of one Spirit. Now the body is not a single part, but many....The eye cannot say to the hand, Given these conditions, it is obvious that “I do not need you,” nor again the head to the individual countries cannot rightly seek their own feet, “I do not need you.”Indeed, the parts of interests and develop themselves in isolation the body that seem to be weaker are all the more from the rest, for the prosperity and development necessary...But God has so constructed the body of one country follows partly in the train of the as to give greater honor to a part that is without prosperity and progress of all the rest and partly it,so that there may be no division in the body, produces that prosperity and progress. but that the parts may have the same concern Peace on Earth, #131 for one another.If [one] part suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if one part is honored, all the parts The solidarity which binds all people together share its joy. as members of a common family makes it 1 Cor 12 impossible for wealthy nations to look with indifference upon the hunger, misery and This is my commandment: love one another as I poverty of other nations whose citizens are love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay unable to enjoy even elementary human rights. down one’s life for one’s friends. The nations of the world are becoming more John 15 and more dependent on one another and it will not be possible to preserve a lasting peace so “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your long as glaring economic and social imbalances heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. persist. This is the greatest and the first commandment. On Christianity and Social Progress (Mater et The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor Magistra), #157 as yourself. The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.” Matthew 22 Questions for Reflection & Discussion How do you understand solidarity? Besides those offered in this reading, what people, teachings, Scripture passages, images help you better understand and live solidarity in your own life?

Have you ever had an experience of someone standing in solidarity with you? Briefly describe the situation and what it meant to you to have someone standing with you.

Reflecting on your own life, how do you or could you practice solidarity: In the way you spend your time?

In purchasing decisions you make?

In your prayer life?

With your family?

With your community?

With the world?

What people or populations do you find it easy to stand in solidarity with? What people or populations do you find it difficult to stand in solidarity with? Why do you think that is? What can you do to increase your solidarity with those people?

In your experience or opinion, what is the greatest challenge to you personally for living in solidarity with others? How might you overcome that challenge?

www.futurechurch.org 17307 Madison Avenue 216.228.0869 Lakewood, OH 44107 WOMEN WITNESSES OF MERCY CELEBRATING THE EXTRAORDINARY WITNESS OF WOMEN DURING THE YEAR OF MERCY

PRAYER Resource PRAYER SERVICE HONORING Maura Clarke, Jean Donovan, Ita Ford & Dorothy Kazel Introductory Rites Begin in silence in a dimly-lit church. Have one light in the sanctuary illuminating some image of El Salvador (a map, a photo, the image by Marcy Hall of the four women, or some other work of art). The service begins with a procession led by an incense bearer or cross bearer. Following behind are four people, each carrying either an image or the name of one of the four women. The images or names are placed in the sanctuary, flanking the image of El Salvador and a candle is lit near them. After the procession, and opening song or music, the congregation stands for a moment of The Feast Day of the silent reflection. Salvadoran Religious Women is December READER: Our sisters died because they lived as the Gospel of Jesus 2nd. Celebrate on that directed them to live. That Gospel illuminates and touches all aspects day or any other time. of human life and is never separated from it. It proclaims total freedom The prayer service’s for all persons and societies from the slavery of selfishness, hatred and image of light is fear. This Gospel judges the proud and powerful who put their trust particularly meaningful in idols of money, power and status. It lifts up the needy and the poor during the seaon of who put their trust in God and in God’s love. To those who are blind Advent. to the message of that Gospel, our sisters and countless others who daily witness to it by their lives are dangerous! They threaten political structures which promote false idals and destroy the image of God in Where possible have the human person. Ita, Maura, Dorothy and Jean were committed to an equal representation the Gospel and thus gave their lives in love with and for the poor. That of North and Central and that alone is why they died. (words of Sister Melinda Roper, president of the Maryknoll Americans taking visible Sisters, and Father James Noonan, superior general of the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers, December, roles in the liturgy. 1980) Following the reading there is a moment of silence, followed by an opening song:

Opening Song: Christ Be Our Light/ Sé Nuestra Luz by Bernadette Farrell, Spanish Translation by Pedro Rubalcava and Jaime Cortez (Copyright 1993, 2011 by Bernadette Farrell, Published by OCP). If possible, alternate between English and Spanish while singing. If your congregation is unfamiliar with the Spanish translation, try singing only the refrain in Spanish, repeating it twice at the beginning. As the opening song is sung, the lights of the church come on. LEADER: Let us pray in a spirit of repentance for the violence, selfishness, fear, greed, hunger for power and control that have darkened our world. Let us pray that the light of God’s justice and mercy may break forth like the dawn, dispelling the darkness, as proclaimed in the days of the prophets, of Jesus of Nazareth, of Maura, Ita, Dorothy and Jean all all the martyers of Central America.

Penitential Rite: Response: God of light, have mercy on us.

LEADER/READER: Loving God, we live in a world darkened by injustice and inequity, and so we have need of your mercy... Loving God, we live in a world darkened by hatred, intolerance and fear, and so we have need of your mercy... Loving God, we live in a world darkened by violence, conflict, and war and so we have need of your mercy...

ALL: Loving God, source of all light, the eternal radiance of your love, justice and mercy shines forth from those in every generation who have answered your call to commit themselves to the Gospel that scatters all darkeness. May the witness of Maura, Ita, Dorothy, and Jean, bring your light into our lives and so give us the courage and strength to commit ourselves to the Gospel. For this we pray, AMEN.

LITURGY OF THE WORD

First Reading: Isaiah 2:2-5 Psalm: Psalm 27 The Lord Is My Light by David Haas. Copyright 1983, GIA Publications, INC. Second Reading: From the Letter of Ita Ford to her niece and godchild, Jennifer Ford Dear Jennifer, The odds that this note will arrive for your birthday are poor, but know that I’m with you in spirit as you celebrate 16 big ones...I want to say something to you and I wish I were there to talk to you because sometimes letters don’t get across all the meaning and feeling...First of all, I love you and care about you and how you are...That holds if you’re an angel or a fgoof-off, a genius or a jerk...Yesterday I stood looking down at a 16-year-old who had been killed a few hours earlier...The reasons why so many people are being killed are quite complicated, yet there are some clear, simple strands. One is that many people have found a meaning to life, to sacrifice, to struggle, and even to death. And whether their life span is 16 years, 60 or 90, for them, their life has had a purpose...Brooklyn is not passing through the drama of El Salvador, but some things hold true wherever one is, and at whatever age. What I’m saying is, I hope you come to find that which gives life a deep meaning for you...something worth living for, maybe even worth dying for... I can’t tell you what it might be -- that’s for you to find, to choose, to love. I can just encourage you to start looking, and support you in the search...I want to say to you: don’t waste the gifts and opportunities you have to make yourself and other people happy...I hope this doesn’t sound like some kind of a sermon because I don’t mean it that way. Rather, it’s something you learn here, and I want to share it with you. In fact, it’s my birthday present to you. If it doesn’t make sense right at this moment, keep this and read it sometime from now. Maybe it will be clearer...much, much love, ...Ita. Gospel Acclamation: Alleluia! Raise the Gospel by Bernadette Farrell. Copyright 2001, 2002. Published by OCP.

Gospel: John 12:44-50 or Matthew 5:14-16 Preaching: Using the example set by Maura Clarke, Ita Ford, Jean Donovan and Dorothy Kazel, preach on the need to be God’s light in the darkness of our world. Each of us has been given gifts for sharing the mercy and love of God to the world. As Ita Ford challenged and encouraged her niece to find “something worth living for, maybe even worth dying for ... to not “waste the gifts and opportunities you have to make yourself and other people happy,” challenge and encourage the congregation use their gifts, their blessings, their opportunities to bring the light of God’s mercy, justice, and love into the world. When the preaching has ended, allow some time for quiet reflection.

Prayers of Petition LEADER: As she wrote in her letter to her niece, Jennifer, we have Ita -- and each of these women -- supporting us as we make meaning of our lives and seek to be witnesses of God’s light in the world, and so we pray in confidence,

Response: Loving God, hear our prayer

READER: That the Chuch, called to be a witness of God’s mercy, may be strengthened by the witnesses of Maura, Ita, Jean and Dorothy to always stand with the poor and the marginalized, we pray... That nations might turn away from the darkness of war and violence and turn toward the light of dialogue and peace, we pray... That those whose lives are shadowed by war, violence, conflict, and every form of human oppression may know the loving and caring presence of God through those who have committed themselves to the Gospel, we pray... That those who have died because of war and violence may rejoice in the the light of God’s eternal care, we pray... That we who are gathered here tonight might be strengthened to commit ourselves more fully to being witnesses of God’s mercy in the world, we pray... For whom else and what else shall we pray? (congregation is given time to name their own petitions)...

LEADER: Loving God, receive the prayers of your people. Make resplendent your light in us, that with Maura, Ita, Jean and Dorothy we may be your witnesses in the world. We pray this in Jesus’ name, AMEN. Rite of Commitment This is a candle lighting ritual, so pass out candles beforehand or have them already in chairs or pews. Have a number of representatives from the community, 2 or 4 would work, come forward to light their candles first -- one each from the candles near the images or names of the four churchwomen. They then proceed share the flame of their candles with the congregation. As the flame is passed, the one giving the light says“Receive the light of God” the response is “I will share this light with the world” Reflective music may be played in the background, leading through the final blessing and into the closing song.

Final Blessing Leader: As we commit ourselves to living the Gospel, to being witnesses of mercy, to bringing God’s light in the world, we ask our loving God to guide us and strengthen us and so we pray for God’s blessing, You have have given us the example of these martyrs who died for the sake of the Gospel. Indeed, you promise to us everything we need to walk in the way of your light, the way of peace and justice. Bless us now and always, we pray, that we may go forth from this place with the assurance that you accompany us on our way. AMEN.

And may God bless us all, the one who creates us, redeems us, and sets us free. AMEN.

Closing Song: This song should express the commitment of the community to be a witness of God’s light in the world. Some options include: City of God by Dan Schutte. Copyright 1981, Dan Schutte and New Dawn Music, alt. Published by GIA Publications. Digo “Sí,”Señor/I say “Yes,” Lord by Donna Peña. Copyright 1989, GIA Publications. For the Healing of the Nations by Fred Kaan. Copyright 1968, Hope Publishing Company. We Are Called by David Haas. Copyright 1988, GIA Publications. We Are the Light of the World by Jean Greif. Copyright 1966, Vernacular Hymns Publishing Co.

www.futurechurch.org 17307 Madison Avenue 216.228.0869 Lakewood, OH 44107