Samour to offer personal look at St. Oscar Romero at SLC

Jake Samour is excited to offer new perspective on a saint.

Samour, who directs the Diocese of Wichita’s Office of Marriage and Family Life will Present “St. Oscar Romero: Our Family, Our Country, Our Saint” at the Spiritual Life Center on Tuesday, July 22.

“What I am most looking forward to in the first presentation is the opportunity to share a more personal side of St. Oscar Romero – someone who, for many, was a saint and martyr, but for me and my family, was first a friend, a pastor, and a spiritual father. It’s a rare gift to share stories that aren’t found in books – stories of our visits to his home when he was first a priest, then a bishop of a rural diocese, his kindness, and quiet disposition. I hope that through these personal memories, people will encounter not just the public figure, but the man of deep faith who walked humbly with God and has been part of my life and vocation.”

Samour says the second portion of his talk will explore the more controversial side of St. Oscar Romero’s life and how his bold preaching in defense of the poor led many to label him a supporter of liberation theology, or even a communist. 

“At the height of the Cold War, when justice itself was politicized, Romero’s message challenged the powerful and exposed the suffering of the oppressed,” Samour said. “But far from aligning with any ideology, Romero stood firmly with the Church. His words and actions flowed from a deep commitment to the gospel. Drawing from his homilies and personal diary, I hope to show how this humble bishop sought to serve his people with fidelity to Christ and the Church. Romero ignited a people, not through politics, but through a life rooted in truth, charity, and the heart of Jesus. His witness, ultimately sealed by martyrdom, continues to speak powerfully to me today and to many in our world.”

Although Samour is looking forward to helping others learn more about the saint, he acknowledges that preparing for the presentation has taught him a lot too.

“In preparing for these talks, I have had conversations with my dad and siblings that brought back details I had either forgotten or never fully appreciated,” Samour said. “For instance, hearing my father recall the deep, fatherly way Romero guided him spiritually, the way he stood up to my grandfather when my grandfather didn’t want to approve of their marriage, reminded me how much of Romero’s courage was rooted in his relationships. It’s one thing to revere a saint from afar – it’s another to know how important it was for my dad. Important enough to have him come to ask for my mom’s hand.”

And as he puts the finishing touches on his talks, Samour acknowledges asking for the saint’s intercession. “Yes, we often lift his name during our family prayers and ask for his intercession – but he has been on my mind and in our litany of saints more as I prepare for the presentations on July 22 at the SLC,” he said. “I want the talks to reflect not only truth and memory, but also carry the spirit of Romero’s humility, charity, and faith. I have asked him to help me speak not just with words, but with conviction and love, just as he always did.”

Learn more and register at slcwichita.org. Cost is $25, lunch included. Optional Mass will be at 9:15 a.m.