TNII Delegation 2026
Day 1, El Salvador
"The TNII and SJA Delegations have arrived safely in El Salvador for their unprecedented joint delegation! Stay tuned for more blogs from both parties telling of their experiences and reflections."
Day 2:
Today we visited the cathedral of El Salvador, it's an incredible building where we were able to attend mass and visit the tomb of Monseñor Oscar Romero. We also saw the nacional palace and the nacional library, which were both beautiful.
Day 3:
Today we learned about the history of El Salvador beginning in the 1970s from Carlos Garcia, a representative from Equipo Maiz, a group that supports social movements in El Salvador and throughout Central America. He started his discussion in the 1970s with the start of the guerrilla movements and the fight over land ownership. We learned how the United States funded the Salvadoran military to counter the guerrilla movements. This led to a 12-year civil war. Gangs started after the war ended. Alleged gang members have been incarcerated. It is estimated that 70% of those incarcerated are innocent.
We visited the site of the November 16, 1989, assassinations of 6 Jesuit priests, their gardener's wife and daughter at the Central American University campus. The Jesuits were advocates of a negotiated settlement between the government of El Salvador and the guerrilla group that fought the government for a decade (FMLN). In the Sala Memorial de Martes museum, we saw many artifacts of assassinated priests, sisters and lay people who advocated against the repression of the Salvadoran people.
Our final visit was to the Divina Providencia Chapel, the place where Monseñor Romero was assassinated by a gunman as he said mass on March 24, 1980. Monseñor Romero was killed because he condemned human rights abuses, poverty and state-sponsored violence by the military government. On the same grounds, is his home. The small house is preserved exactly as he left it with many of his personal belongings.
It was difficult to see and process this dark and painful time in the history of El Salvador.
Day 4:
Today we left San Salvador for our drive to Guarjila where we will stay with host families from another Sister Parish linkage. On our way we stopped at Casa Museo to learn about Fr. Jon Cortina SJ. Fr. Jon was out in the countryside when his brother Jesuits were massacred and he was listed among the dead but instead was able to go on to help so many in the Chalatenango region protecting and helping the poor. One of his special projects was to try to reunite children and parents that were displaced during the civil war. This project called Probusqueda continues to this day.
After our lunch at Casa Museo we went to meet a representative from a Sister Parish group that is linked with First Lutheran Church of Duluth, MN . We spent the afternoon hearing about the history of the region after the war and the growth of the area through cultural programs and schools.
We are spending the night with our host families and look forward to meeting another Sister Parish group tomorrow!
Day 5:
Our SJA team successfully met their Sister Parish counterparts in San Salvador today, after journeys from separate locations. The day was dedicated to heartfelt reunions, introductions, and essential orientation, forging strong community bonds. We wrapped up with an enjoyable dinner, eating authentic Salvadoran cuisine.
Day 6:
Today we had to say goodbye to our host families after breakfast. Even though we only stayed a couple of nights, many of us felt like we had known each other for much longer. Many host families shared with us their experiences of surviving the war, refugee camps and returning to rebuild their communities. It was truly an encounter!
Before leaving our host community of Guarjila we visited their community health clinic and were so impressed with the focus on prevention and holistic care. Head nurse, Rosali, shared with us that the clinic serves people of 50 surrounding rural communities, they have a 0% mortality rate for their mothers and babies program and they even do home visits to promote health. The clinic carries on the legacy of the founders pictured in the clinic's mural, Sister Ana Manganaro, Jon Cortina SJ and Archbishop Oscar Romero.
After a long trip back to San Salvador, a trip filled with conversation, singing and laughing, we are now back in San Salvador. Tonight we met to discuss Sister Parish projects and other business, reflect on liberation theology and take inventory of the BEAUTIFUL crafts made by our sisters in Tierra Nueva II. Those crafts will travel back with us along with many cards, messages and hugs. We look forward to sharing them with you all at St. Joan of Arc when we get back.
Day 7:
Today we arrived at the agricultural community of Nueva Esperanza, which translates as New Hope. We are being hosted by three Religious sisters who explained how the community was founded by Salvadorian refugees on their return from Honduras.
While touring this community we were refreshed with frozen fruit treats called bolis. We also watched as a bicyclist herded some cattle to a new pasture.
A highlight of the day was entertainment by the band Nueva Herencia (New Heritage) who shared their modern, energetic take on traditional music.
Day 8:
We woke today at the Pastoral Center of the Sisters of the Small Communities in a town called Nuevo Esperanza (New Hope). The sisters told us their history with the people here, including being refugees in Nicaragua during the war and coming to the Baja Lempe region and building a town from scratch.
Last night we were treated to a performance by Nuevo Herencia, a youth band from the town. The youngest was 11 years old.
We got to share some recreation time on the the Pacific Ocean this afternoon as we started our journey back to San Salvador.
Day 9:
We woke up in our hotel in San Salvador to go to a Popular Mass at the church of St Francis of Assisi, staffed by Passionist priests. Yesterday was St Oscar Romero's birthday, so they had a festive weekend.
We were warmly welcomed and enjoyed the service including a hymn to the tune of "Blowin' in the Wind." Members of our delegation carried the bread/wine/gifts to the altar.
After mass a former Sister of the Little Communities shared her stories of the community's history, including being the only church that did not close during the worst periods of repression in the 80's and how they would buy a piñata and a cake to disguise a community meeting as a party. Sometimes this was the only way you knew members were still alive. Just seeing each other gave them hope.
For lunch we spent over an hour at the largest park in San Salvador with a beautiful art gallery.