Prayer of Oscar Romero

Oscar Romero Oscar Romero, Archbishop of San Salvador in El Salvador, was assassinated on March 24, 1980, while celebrating mass in a small chapel in a hospital. He had always been close to his people and preached a prophetic gospel. He denounced the injustice in his country and supported the development of social organisations. He became the voice of the Salvadoran people when repression had crushed all other channels of expression. The following prayer was composed by Bishop Ken Utener of Saginaw, for a homily by Cardinal John Dearden in 1979. The words of the prayer are often attributed to Oscar Romero, perhaps because they beautifully summrise his philosophy, but they were never spoken by him.

It helps, now and then, to step back and take a long view. Photo Credit: Matthieu Alexandre/Secours Catholique

The Kingdom is not only beyond our efforts, it is even beyond our vision. Photo credit: Paul Jeffrey/Caritas

We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction of the magnificent enterprise that is God’s work. Photo Credit: Paul Jeffrey/Caritas

Nothing we do is complete, which is a way of saying that the Kingdom always lies beyond us. Photo Credit: Meabh Smith/Trocaire Caritas

No statement says all that could be said No statement says all that could be said. No prayer fully expresses our faith. No confession brings perfection. Photo Credit: Paul Jeffrey/Caritas

No pastoral visit brings wholeness No pastoral visit brings wholeness. No program accomplishes the Church’s mission. No set of goals and objectives includes everything. Photo Credit: Paul Jeffrey/Caritas

This is what we are about: We plant the seeds that will one day grow. Photo Creidt: Isabel Corthier/Caritas

We water seeds already planted, knowing that they hold future promise. Photo Credit: Caritas Australia

We lay foundations that will need further development. Photo Credit: Tommy Tenchard/Caritas

We provide yeast that produces far beyond our capabilities. Photo Credit: Laura Sheahen/Catholic Relief Services

We cannot do everything, and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that. Photo Credit: Tommy Tenchard/Caritas

This enables us to do something, and to do it very well. Photo Credit: Isabel Corthier/Caritas