I am a Catholic educator who likes to share the good news about Catholic Social Teaching, the Eucharist, and most of all, St. Oscar Romero. Recently, I’ve been spending time in El Salvador, collaborating with Salvadorans to promote the legacy of St. Romero.
“We know that every effort to improve society…is an effort that God blesses, that God wants, that God requires of us.”
St. Oscar Romero
In case you’re wondering…
Yes, my given name is Cinnamon. My father named me from a character on the television version of Mission Impossible. While sudying at Boston College I learned that my name has biblical roots. One of Job’s daughters is Keziah, whose name translates as Cinnamon.
After teaching high school students about Romero, I was drawn to visit his homeland. My trip to El Salvador required working around an inner ear problem, so I traveled there on buses and boats. The rewards of seeing Romero’s tomb, chapel, and people far outweighed any hardships I experienced.
Once my ear problem healed I began flying to El Salvador for further studies of Romero. While earning my Master’s degree in theology from the University of Notre Dame, I won a study grant and planned a trip to Central America. While there I suffered an accident where I nearly drowned. I distanced myself physically and emotionally from El Salvador, and inadvertently from Romero.
For nearly a decade I seldom spoke of Romero. When my parish celebrated his beatification in El Salvador in 2015, they invited me to join. This pilgrimage healed my friendship with Romero with fiery passion. Since then, it’s difficult to stop me talking about Romero. In 2018 I was privileged to attend St. Romero’s canonization in Rome.
I’ve given dozens of talks for all ages in parishes, schools, summer camps, and retreats.
Cinnamon Sarver
B.A., Theology and Sociology, Boston College
M.A., Theology, University of Notre Dame
Rome 2018
Pentecost 2015
Site of Romero’s martyrdom
Cinnamon Sarver 