Reader :

Good morning everyone. Today we celebrate the feast of Saint Oscar Romero. He was not a celebrity. He was not an influencer. He was not famous for sport, music or politics. He was a Catholic archbishop in El Salvador who decided that following Jesus actually meant something. And that decision cost him his life.

Romero lived in a time of great violence, injustice and fear. People were disappearing. The poor were ignored. The powerful were untouchable. At first, he kept his head down. But when he saw innocent people suffering, something shifted in him. He realised that being a Christian is not about staying comfortable. It is about standing with those who are hurting.

Romero once said, “Aspire not to have more, but to be more.” That hits hard in a world obsessed with more. More money. More followers. More likes. More status.

Today we are invited to ask ourselves a big question: When things are unfair, do I just scroll past, laugh along, or stand up.

All :

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Leader :

God of courage, You called Saint Oscar Romero to speak truth when it was dangerous. You gave him strength when he was afraid. You filled him with love for people who were poor, ignored or oppressed.

Help us to see injustice around us.
Help us not to be numb to it.
Give us the courage to speak up when someone is bullied.
Give us the strength to choose what is right when it would be easier to stay silent.

Make us brave.
Make us compassionate.
Make us people who live our faith out loud.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

All :

Amen.

Reader :

A reading from the holy gospel according to John.

Jesus continued, “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain of wheat. But if it dies, it produces much fruit.”

(Pause)  The Gospel of the Lord.

All :

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Leader :

Today, inspired by Saint Oscar Romero, who refused to stay silent in the face of injustice, we bring our prayers before God. As young people, our voices matter. Our choices matter. Let us pray with confidence and courage.

Reader :

For the Church throughout the world, that the Church may never be afraid to speak truth, defend the vulnerable, and stand with those who suffer, even when it is unpopular or risky. (pause) We pray.

All :

God, make us brave.

Reader :

For world leaders, especially in places affected by violence and injustice, that they may choose compassion over power, service over control, and justice over corruption. (pause) We pray.

All :

God, make us brave.

Reader :

For young people everywhere, that we may have the courage to stand up when someone is bullied, excluded or judged, and never trade our values for popularity. (pause) We pray.

All :

God, make us brave.

Reader :

For our school community, that we may create a culture where kindness is normal, respect is expected, and no one feels invisible. (pause) We pray.

All :

God, make us brave.

Reader :

For those who are poor, displaced, or living in fear, that they might find safety, dignity and people who defend their rights. (pause) We pray.

All :

God, make us brave.

Reader :

For each of us, that we may not just talk about faith, but live it boldly in our classrooms, online, on the sporting field and at home. (pause) We pray.

All :

God, make us brave.

Reader :

For those who have died, especially those who gave their lives for justice, that they may share in the fullness of life with God. (pause) We pray.

All :

God, make us brave.

Leader :

Loving God, you gave Saint Oscar Romero the strength to live with courage and to die with faith. Hear the prayers we have spoken and the ones we carry quietly in our hearts.

All :

Amen.

Reader :

May God bless us with the courage of Saint Oscar Romero.

All :

We stand ready! Send us!

Reader :

May we have eyes that see injustice and a heart that refuses to ignore it.

All :

We stand ready! Send us!

Reader :

May we have a voice that speaks truth and love.

All :

We stand ready! Send us!

Reader :

May we never trade our values for approval.

All :

We stand ready! Send us!

Reader :

And may God bless us, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

All :

Amen.

Leader :

Go and be young people of courage. Go and be young people who stand up, not stand by. Go and choose to be more, not just have more. Saint Oscar Romero, pray for us.

All :

Thanks be to God.