Jean Donovan

1.   Explain Jean’s response to suffering and those who influenced her decision to serve in El Salvador.  What role did faith & her relationship with God play in her decision to remain in El Salvador despite the violence?

Considered a modern day martyr, Jean Donovan once led a normal life in America. She had a well-paying job in accounting with Arthur Andersen and even owned a motorcycle; in short, she was a carefree, loving American girl, yet she wanted something more out of life. Her life first altered course, when she chose to study abroad in Ireland. The country would grow the roots for her dedication to El Salvador when she was introduced to a priest who had also been on a mission trip. The priest declared that she had a normal North American youth relationship with God, but as her relationship with and admiration of the priest developed so did her relationship with God. She wanted to help people in need and so, she decided to volunteer her services in El Salvador.

Despite the Civil War in El Salvador, Jean Donovan remained steadfast in her goal to help the people of El Salvador. She was humbled by these people and was determined to help in any way she could. In many cases, she said the  women and children of El Salvador served her instead of her helping them. After witnessing the assassination of Archbishop Oscar Romero and viewing much more violence, Jean still desired to stay. Despite leaving El Salvador to attend a wedding of her friends, Jean returned to El Salvador even with the protests of many of family and friends. Of all the words spoken about Jean Donovan her own words ring clearest:

“Several times I have decided to leave El Salvador. I almost could, except for the children, the poor, bruised victims of this insanity. Who would care for them? Whose heart could be so staunch as to favor the reasonable thing in a sea of their tears and loneliness? Not mine, dear friend, not mine.” 

This quote, written in a letter to a friend embodies Jean’s faith and her relationship with God. Jean knew that she had to act in order to help these children. She had found faith in God in the people of El Salvador, who despite having nothing still had their faith in God. Her time and experiences in El Salvador with the nuns and peopled truly strengthened her decision to remain in El Salvador.