Stonyhurst Curator to deliver Archbishop Romero Lecture

Jan Graffius examines Romero relics

This year's Archbishop Romero Memorial Lecture will be given by Jan Graffius, the Curator at Stonyhurst College, who has been working on the conservation and display of the relics and personal possessions of Monseñor Romero and of the six Jesuit theologians of the University of Central America (UCA) for the past five years. Entitled 'Blood and Sweat: the Witness of Romero's Relics', the lecture will be delivered at the Lauriston Jesuit Centre, Edinburgh on Monday 24 September; Bar Convent in York on Tuesday 25 September; and Amigo Hall, next to Southwark Cathedral, London, on Thursday 27 September, all at 7pm.

Jan has visited El Salvador three times to work on the conservation of the relics of Archbishop Romero and the murdered Jesuits. On her first visit to San Salvador in 2007, Jan began the delicate task of examining the vestments worn by the 20th century martyr when he was assassinated while celebrating Mass. She spent many hours working in the three small rooms at the Cancer Hospital of the Carmelite Sisters where Archbishop Romero lived in great simplicity. Close by is the chapel where he was murdered on 24 March 1980.

On her return to Stonyhurst, Jan described what she had found and the personal impact the experience had had upon her. "His rooms contain many personal possessions, such as clothing, books, official and unofficial papers, photographs and most importantly, the vestments and clothes he was wearing when he was shot. These hang separately from the other possessions and are in need of proper supports to help preserve the thin cotton fabric which is soaked in dried blood. Handling and examining these vestments was an emotional experience and a great responsibility. I made condition reports and took photographs of everything".

For more information about Archbishop Oscar Romero and the annual lecture in his name, visit www.romerotrust.org.uk