In 1980, Archbishop Oscar Romero of El Salvador was shot and killed. This weekend, he will be made a saint at the Vatican. Here's why his canonization is huge for the Salvadoran community lat.ms/2EloZLM 
Archbishop Romero was shot through the heart while delivering a Mass at a chapel in a hospital. Although no one was convicted of the crime, a UN commission concluded in 1992 that army Maj. Roberto D’Aubuisson gave the order. lat.ms/2EloZLM
His death was seen as a key event at the start of El Salvador’s 12-year civil war, in which 75,000 people were killed and thousands disappeared. lat.ms/2EloZLM
Hundreds of thousands of Salvadorans fled to Southern California in the 1980s to escape the civil war and continue to emigrate here today. Romero’s activism became a symbol of hope, and he long has been a highly honored figure. lat.ms/2EloZLM
In 2013, a plaza was established in his honor in MacArthur Park, home to many Salvadorans. In Pico Union, Romero’s image is found scattered around the neighborhood. The intersection of Pico and Vermont is officially known as Oscar Romero Square. lat.ms/2EloZLM
“He had the heart to empower people,” Oscar Dominguez, president of the El Salvador Community Corridor told us. “He had the heart to fight injustice. He gave poor people hope that someone was going to stand up against the violence and the government.” lat.ms/2EloZLM
Tens of thousands of pilgrims are expected to descend on St. Peter’s Square on Sunday for the canonization. Salvadorans, many from Los Angeles, are everywhere, decked in blue and white, wearing hats and pins and shirts with images of Romero smiling. lat.ms/2QTNXDt
Among them are Maria Hilda and Guillermo Gonzalez of Granada Hills. Now, 68 and 71 years old, they thought they would never live to see this day.
"The moment we’ve waited for so long is finally here," Maria Hilda told @LATbermudez. lat.ms/2QTNXDt
"The moment we’ve waited for so long is finally here," Maria Hilda told @LATbermudez. lat.ms/2QTNXDt
Their time in Los Angeles has been devoted to speaking about this man who became their life so many years ago. They take Monseñor Romero’s photo, a microphone he used for his sermons and his story to churches, prayer groups and homes all over the city. lat.ms/2QTNXDt
When news came this year that Pope Francis had approved the canonization, the two were ecstatic. They fell to their knees in their living room and cried. lat.ms/2QTNXDt
For many Salvadorans, Sunday's canonization is an event not to be missed:
In Los Angeles, a special Mass will be held on Sunday at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Angels to honor seven people, including Archbishop Oscar Romero. Three thousand people are expected to fill the L.A. cathedral. lat.ms/2PvpTpV
