33 years ago today, in 1989, six Jesuit priests along with their housekeeper and her daughter were murdered in their residence at the University of Central America in San Salvador, El Salvador. The priests were targeted for their unwavering faith and for speaking out against the injustices and extreme cruelty that the Salvadorian people were suffering. 

The President of Jesuit High School Sacramento, Fr. John McGarry, S.J. first heard about the killings while he was preparing to become a priest. 

“I was a graduate student in theology preparing for the priesthood in Berkley, and I heard about it on the news in the morning,” Fr. McGarry said. “[The news] impacted me greatly because these were fellow Jesuits of mine.”

The victims were Fr. Ignacio Ellacuría S.J., Fr. Ignacio Martín-Baró S.J., Fr. Segundo Montes S.J., Fr. Juan Ramón Moreno S.J., Fr. Joaquín López y López S.J., Fr. Amando López S.J., and Elba and Ms. Celina Ramos. Fr. McGarry sees these people as great examples of true spirituality and belief. He remembers them not just as martyrs, but as role models that were so devoted to God that they let their own lives be taken rather than renouncing their faith. 

“I think to me that’s the most important thing, how committed they were to the people they lived with and served with and were in solidarity with,” Fr. McGarry said. “For me their example of solidarity and fidelity is what sticks with me.” 

Fr. McGarry believes we can learn more about our own calling by reflecting on the life of these martyrs. 

“The way that they taught with their heart and their mind, and how that caused them to be martyred,” Fr. McGarry said. “We can learn from that. We’re not all called to be martyred, but we’re all called to give witness to what Jesus taught us.” 

The martyrdom of the Salvadoran Martyrs is not only of great historical importance, but the way they lived their lives can still guide us in our lives today.