Play about St Oscar Romero premiered at Cardiff primary school

St John Lloyd Catholic Primary School, Cardiff, has recently performed a specially written play about St Oscar Romero. In a child friendly way, the pupils portrayed his life and death and made the links between his message and their own life experience. It was a really moving performance and the children, from the six year olds through to the ten and eleven year olds, embraced the message of justice and peace with joyful enthusiasm coupled with a real sense of understanding. The very competent story teller led us through the various stages of Oscar's life journey.

As St Oscar was born on the Feast of the Assumption, the play began with a procession in honour of Our Lady with some participants going to visit the newest member of the Romero family. Oscar then appeared as a nine-year old, who highlighted the injustice of having no opportunity for further schooling and pointing out the disparity between the lives of the rich and poor. This was emphasised by a drum roll to accompany the chanting of "Bring forth the kingdom of justice, bring forth the kingdom of peace." Later In response to the singing of "Will you come and follow me?" Oscar shared with his family, his decision to become a priest. After Oscar joined the Seminary, we witnessed his conversation with the Rector discovering how Oscar left the Seminary to earn four pence a day in the local gold mine to pay for his mother's medicine, which as the Rector pointed was neither just nor fair. We rejoiced with villagers singing the Peruvian Gloria when Oscar, newly ordained, returned to his home town for his first Mass.

We followed Oscar's journey as parish priest, Bishop and later as Archbishop. The very confident and sincere Year Six pupil, who played Oscar Romero showed his change of heart as he sang "God's Spirit is in my heart" and began his preaching on Radio El Salvador, calling us to be God's Microphones. There was outcry from the rich and from the military. The protestors, 8 and 9 year olds, were strong in denouncing Oscar, while the poor simply called out for justice and peace. In a very poignant scene Oscar prepared for Mass and his actions were amazing as he put his heart and soul into his portrayal of the Mass. As the curtain closed, a single gunshot sounded and the poor people took up the sad cry "Romero is dead. He worked for the poor" while the soldiers and the rich shouted gleefully, "Romero is dead. He spoke against us." Oscar came to centre stage and imitating the young Oscar said, "It's not fair!" and then in his role as Archbishop, "Be God's Microphones and speak out for justice and peace."

The message did not end there for the audience was shown the ways in which the children have responded, by becoming a School of Sanctuary, a Gold UNICEF Rights Respecting School, and achieving the first level of the Oscar Romero Award. The younger pupils explained the Cafod animals, such as DJ the Dolphin for Distributive Justice. It was beautiful to see these young pupils fully embracing Catholic Social Teaching especially in their robust rendering of the Cafod Social Teaching Song. "It's as easy as CST".

We are incredibly proud to have shared our special performance of the life, faith and mission of Oscar Romero, reflecting on his courage, his commitment to justice and his unwavering trust in God. His inspiring example reminds us of the importance of standing up for what is right, showing compassion to others and having faith even in the most challenging times. Our pupils have brought St. Oscar Romero's story to life and shared his powerful message with our school, parish and, by video, with the wider community as far afield as Australia, France and Ireland. Along the way they have collected several hundred pounds for CAFOD and Aid to the Church in Need.

One member of the audience wrote afterwards, "What touched me most was seeing such young children, some only six years old, bringing Oscar Romero to life and embracing his struggle for justice and peace. What a precious way for them to grow up with such strong values and a heart for others! I am sure that this play will leave a lasting mark on their lives, perhaps in ways they will discover even more as they grow older. To be God's Microphones is a true Mission!"

Earlier this summer St John Lloyd RC Primary School become the first Catholic primary school in Wales to achieve the Oscar Romero Award at Participation level. The school has been recognised for its work on promoting Catholic Social Teaching into the culture, curriculum, and ethos of the school. See: www.indcatholicnews.com/news/55225

Watch a video of the play: https://youtu.be/-9M4-FnYwdY?

Copies of the script are available from demontfortmarie@hotmail.com