Blessed Rutilio Grande
Salvadoran Jesuit priest assassinated in 1977 with two lay companions
- Rank
- Blessed
- Kind
- Priest, Martyr
- Life
- 1928 – 1977
- Era
- 20th century
- Feast
- 12 March
- Countries
- El Salvador
Life story
Rutilio Grande García was born on 5 July 1928 in El Paisnal, El Salvador. He entered the Jesuits, studied in several places and was ordained a priest. After a period working in priestly formation, he moved to pastoral work at Aguilares, where he served from 1972 until his death in 1977 among poor sugar-cane workers.
At Aguilares he organised Christian base communities and encouraged lay people to read Scripture and to become aware of their rights. This displeased some landowners and officials. He was a friend of Archbishop Óscar Romero, and accounts say his assassination deeply affected the archbishop.
On 12 March 1977 he was shot on the road from Aguilares to El Paisnal. Killed with him were Manuel Solórzano, a 72-year-old catechist, and Nelson Rutilio Lemus, a 16-year-old who often served at Mass. Salvadoran security forces are blamed for the killings. On 21 February 2020 Pope Francis approved the decree of martyrdom, and he was beatified on 22 January 2022 in San Salvador, with Cardinal Gregorio Rosa Chávez presiding. His feast day is 12 March.
Works and witness
- Entered the Jesuits and was ordained a priest
- Ministered at Aguilares among farm workers from 1972
- Organised Christian base communities
- Shot dead on 12 March 1977 with two lay companions
- Beatified on 22 January 2022
Saints from the same country
References
- Dicastery for the Causes of Saints: decree on martyrdom (21 February 2020) and beatification records, 22 January 2022
- Society of Jesus (Jesuits) biographical sources on Rutilio Grande
- Martyrologium Romanum (12 March)
- Romero Trust, biography of Rutilio Grande
Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.