El Salvador (“The Savior”) is the only nation in the world to bear the name of Christ. It is approximately the same size as the state of Massachusetts and is located in Central America. It is bordered by the countries of Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua, with the Pacific Ocean as its southern border.

In spite of its relatively small size, it is the most densely populated country in the Americas, with over 5 million people living there. It is a mountainous area with a tropical climate and the majority of the land is used for agriculture. Most of the population is poor, with unemployment exceeding 50% and illiteracy approximately 50%.

In 1964, the Diocese of Cleveland has maintained a presence in the area, even through years of Civil War and the martyrdom of two of its missionaries in 1980: Sister Dorothy Kazel, OSU, and Miss Jean Donovan. Currently, missionaries from Cleveland serve in parishes in Chiltiupan, La Libertad, and Teotepeque. These parishes serve the pastoral needs of over 150,00 Salvadorans.