Special Broadcast:
Background
On November 16, 1989, Ignacio Ellacuría, S.J., Ignacio Martín-Baró, S.J., Segundo Montes, S.J., Juan Ramón Moreno, S.J., Joaquín López y López, S.J., Amando López, S.J. and Elba Ramos, a housekeeper for one of the local Jesuit communities, and her 15 year-old daughter Celina Ramos, were murdered at the University of Central America in San Salvador, El Salvador.
The lives and loss of these martyrs have significantly influenced the Ignatian family in the United States and throughout the world. Jesuit institutions have re-defined what it is to be universities, high schools, parishes, etc. in light of the martyrs, discerning new ways of addressing issues of social justice locally and abroad. Across the Ignatian family new ways of proceeding have developed over the course of twenty-five years. ISN is a direct product of the spirit of the martyrs, forming in response to their tragic deaths at the hands of many individuals who received training at the former U.S. Army School of the Americas.
Commemoration Materials
Jesuit Martyrs Poster
The paintings for this 16×24 poster were originally created by Mary Pimmel-Freeman (Rockhurst University ’07) as a thesis project. Since then, the paintings have been displayed at the annual Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice as a reminder of the martyrs’ witnesses.
Jesuit Martyrs Prayer Cards
Front of the Prayer Card: The paintings on the front of the card were originally created by Mary Pimmel-Freeman (Rockhurst University ’07) as a thesis project (same as the poster). Since then, the paintings have been displayed at the annual Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice as a reminder of the martyrs’ witnesses.
Back of the Prayer Card: The back features a litany adapted from a prayer by James Martin, S.J.
Prayer and Event Resources
Featured Resources
A Faith that Does Justice: The History and Legacy of the Jesuit Martyrs
Featuring an overview of the historical and political context leading to the murders of the Jesuits as well as a martyrs legacy resource with short biographies of each of the martyrs and their companions, this kit offers opportunities for learning, reflection, and activities for making contemporary connections.
Blood of the Martyrs, produced by Loyola Productions, is a 37-minute documentary which tells the story of the six Jesuits and Elba and Celina Ramos, all murdered in El Salvador in 1989. This documentary, originally produced in 2014 in honor of the 25th anniversary of the martyrs deaths is now available via Amazon Video and YouTube to buy or rent.
Blood and Ink, written by Robert Lassalle-Klein, provides a vital, definitive account of the lives and work of the Jesuit community of the University of Central America, their commitment to the poor, and the price they paid. Read chapters 1-3 | Buy the book