The martyrdom of Fr Rutilio Grande SJ, Manuel Solorzano and Nelson Lemus - a Jesuit priest, the parish sacristan and his 16 year old assistant - marked the beginning of a campaign of persecution of the Church in El Salvador and led to the awakening of Archbishop Romero.

Rutilio and his companions were assassinated on March 12th 1977. They were shot by a death squad as they drove from Aguilares to celebrate Mass in the nearby village of El Paisnal. The killings occurred less than three weeks after Oscar Romero was named Archbishop of San Salvador. Their murders shook the new Archbishop to his core.

As we approach the 50th anniversary of his martyrdom in 2027, you can use the menu above to learn more about Fr Rutilio Grande SJ through books, articles, photographs and videos.