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In the March 28, 2004 edition of the National Catholic Reporter, Bishop Thomas Gumbleton explained how he learned the source of the "Romero Prayer." Bishop Ken Untener, a few days before his death, sent a note to Tom and revealed that Ken had written the prayer for Cardinal Dearden, then Archbishop of Detroit, to read at a memorial mass for priests.

How this insightful prayer became associated with Oscar Romero seems uncertain. However, the words do reflect the immense compassion and pastoral care which Archbishop Romero and Bishop Ken Untener lived.

Here, from the Special 25th Anniversary Edition report of the Religious Task Force on Central America and Mexico(and the NCR) is that prayer:

"It helps now and then to step back and take the long view.

The reign of God is not only beyond our efforts.

It is beyond our vision.

We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction of the magnificent enterprise that is God's work.

Nothing we do is complete, which is another way of saying the reign of God always lies beyond us.

No statement says all that could be said.

No prayer fully expresses our faith.

No confession brings perfection.

No pastoral visit brings wholeness.

No program accomplishes the church's mission.

We cannot do everything but there is a sense of liberation in realizing that because this enables us to do something and to do it well.

It may be incomplete but it is a beginning, a step along the way, an opportunity for

God's grace to enter and do the rest."

Thank you, Ken! Both you and Oscar remain present!