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September 13, 2018
One year ago, on Sept. 23, we celebrated the beatification of Blessed Stanley Rother in Oklahoma City. Born in Okarche, ordained a priest for the then-Diocese of Oklahoma City and Tulsa, Father Rother found his purpose and the call-within-his call as a missionary in Guatemala where he gave his life in service to the Gospel and the people he loved. He is the first U.S.-born diocesan priest and martyr ever beatified.
The events leading up to that extraordinary day and the solemn liturgy itself are among the most precious memories that I cherish from my 35 years of priestly (and episcopal) ministry.
No one who was present will ever forget it. The unexpectedly large crowd of people filled both the arena and the overflow seating areas and spilled out into the streets where those who had been unable to enter the building watched the EWTN broadcast in nearby hotel lobbies or on the huge monitor on the front of The Oklahoman building across the street.
Fifty bishops, hundreds of priests, deacons and religious and thousands of members of the faithful from around the world came to witness history and to give thanks to God for the life of this ordinary martyr, the “shepherd who didn’t run” as his biographer, Maria Scaperlanda, titled her book about Father Rother.
Even as we celebrated the beatification Mass in Oklahoma City with Cardinal Angelo Amato, Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, there was a simultaneous celebration in Santiago Atitlan at the parish where Blessed Stanley had lived and died in Guatemala. He is not only a martyr for the United States; Blessed Stanley is Guatemala’s martyr. There is something truly universal about his life and witness. Saints are for all of us.
Since that day, many people have continued to travel to Okarche and to Oklahoma City and to Santiago Atitlan to venerate Blessed Stanley, to draw close to him and to seek his intercession. They travel to Mount Saint Mary Seminary in Emmitsburg, Md., where Stanley Rother was a seminarian. They come as pilgrims. They are drawn to this real-life flesh and blood missionary disciple, priest and martyr.
It has been my privilege during this past year to continue to tell his story and make him known as we raise funds and plan the permanent shrine that will be built in his honor and where he will be buried. It will become a pilgrim destination for people from around the world.
The Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine is a central part of the historic “One Church, Many Disciples” campaign underway in the archdiocese. People throughout the archdiocese and beyond have responded generously in pledging funds that will enable us to advance the mission of the Church in our archdiocese for years to come.
God has given us a great gift in raising up Blessed Stanley Rother as such an attractive role model, faithful witness and powerful intercessor in our midst. Especially at this time when the sins and crimes of some priests and bishops have brought shame and hurt on so many victims, and indeed on the whole Church because of their infidelities, we need the witness of Blessed Stanley and other models of fidelity to remind us that God is with us.
Jesus is the Good Shepherd. He never abandons his flock to the wolves. We pray that he will continue to raise up other authentic witnesses and good shepherds like Blessed Stanley to guide and protect his flock.
Blessed Stanley Rother, pray for us!