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June 1, 2023In celebration of the 60th anniversary of the ordination of Blessed Stanley Rother, the Gospel of Life Disciples held a day of prayer and pilgrimage on May 25. The day began with a 7-mile pilgrimage from the Gospel of Life Disciples’ Blessed Stanley Rother Barn in Moore to the Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine, where confessions were available and Mass was celebrated.
Following Mass, Father Don Wolf spoke about Blessed Stanley’s priesthood journey.
“We are here because of the greatness of Rother’s priesthood. Stan’s priesthood is something we note and celebrate,” Father Wolf said.
During his talk, Father Wolf discussed how people are all priests together through baptism and that everyone shares a journey.
“We live as the intermediary between heaven and Earth, and that we are all imprinted with the life of Christ as we live ours,” Father Wolf said.
Father Wolf also noted that Blessed Stanley was ordained in a Church that was changing.
“The Church is never always the same as it was yesterday. Blessed Stanley Rother had to search for his way to say yes to God, and we too have to turn to the Lord to find our way,” Father Wolf said. “Life in Christ is life, and Blessed Stanley Rother knew this and said yes to God all the time.”
During the discussion, Father Wolf spoke about being messengers to God’s call.
“We are all messengers to God’s call, and the more we give our life to Christ, the more we embody Christ,” Father Wolf said.
During the conclusion of the talk, Father Wolf discussed whether it is possible to fail our way to heaven. He notes that we can fail our way to heaven; and when we do, “we will be like all of those who are in heaven. God’s promise to us is that in our weaknesses, we are strong.”
Immediately following Father Wolf’s talk there was a presentation of an original portrait of Blessed Stanley by renowned portrait artist, Igor Babailov, as well as a blessing of the portrait by Archbishop Coakley.
A theme during the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the ordination of Blessed Stanley was relying on God and grace and renewing the yes to God. This was echoed by Sister Maria of the Trinity during the unveiling of the portrait when she said, “we are here to renew our yes to God.”
Courtney Rhone is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.
Photos Avery Holt/Sooner Catholic.
