Rutilio Grande was born on May 7, 1928 in El Paisnal, El Salvador. He grew up in a devout Catholic family and from an early age, showed a deep passion for serving others. At the age of 14, he felt a calling to the priesthood and dedicated himself to his studies.
Grande was recruited into the priesthood by Archbishop Luis Chavez y Gonzalez, who recognized his potential and commitment to the church. He was sent to the seminary of San Jose de la Montana to receive his training, where he excelled in his studies and deepened his spiritual practices.
After his ordination as a Jesuit priest, Grande returned to his hometown of El Paisnal to serve the community. He quickly gained a reputation for his compassion, dedication, and strong advocacy for social justice. He worked tirelessly to support the poor and marginalized, often risking his own safety to speak out against injustice.
Grande's ministry was deeply rooted in the teachings of liberation theology, which emphasized the importance of standing in solidarity with the oppressed and working to create a more just society. He became a vocal critic of the government and the powerful elite, who he believed were exploiting the people for their own gain.
Tragically, Rutilio Grande's tireless advocacy for the poor and oppressed ultimately cost him his life. On March 12, 1977, he was assassinated along with two companions by a right-wing death squad. His murder sent shockwaves through the country and marked the beginning of a brutal civil war that would ravage El Salvador for over a decade.
Despite his untimely death, Grande's legacy lived on. He became a symbol of resistance and hope for the downtrodden and oppressed. His martyrdom inspired countless others to continue the fight for social justice and human rights in El Salvador and beyond.
Following in his uncle's footsteps, Rutilio Grande's nephew, Orlando Erazo, became the parish priest in El Paisnal in 2005. He continued his uncle's work of serving the community and fighting for social justice.
Rutilio Grande was a close friend of Archbishop Oscar Romero, another prominent figure in the fight for social justice in El Salvador. The two men shared a deep commitment to serving the poor and marginalized, and their friendship strengthened their resolve to continue the struggle for a more just society.