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October 26, 2022For many priests, the discernment process leading up to the decision to become a seminarian is based on their own unique experiences of the Church. Current seminary students from Oklahoma are unique in that they have an extremely special source of inspiration in Blessed Stanley Rother.
With Oklahoma at the center of historic events surrounding Blessed Stanley, his influence on all people has been deeply felt, especially by young men considering a vocation to the priesthood.
Nathaniel Boyd, a junior at Conception Seminary College, follows the examples set by Blessed Stanley — particularly when he is in need of encouragement and inspiration.
¨Being able to identify with Blessed Stanley gives him a special place in my life that I hope to continue cultivating,” said Boyd. “I truly admire Blessed Stanley’s dedication to the priesthood. Throughout his life, he put God’s call first, whether persevering in seminary or returning to his flock in Guatemala.”
Like any student studying away from home, Boyd has experienced moments of being homesick and overwhelmed. A resident of Oklahoma City, whose home parish is Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church in Edmond, Boyd looks to Blessed Stanley for solace when he needs a boost of encouragement.
“Blessed Stanley’s vocation journey has, like many seminarians I’d imagine, pushed me to persevere when time at seminary hits hard points,” explained Boyd.
As Boyd looks forward to possibly one day becoming a priest, Blessed Stanley’s influence continues to serve as a beacon of hope and inspiration. In particular, he hopes to be as steadfast in his devotion to hearing and answering God’s call as Blessed Stanley was.
“I am so grateful for the example Blessed Stanley set by the way he lived his life, so that his example could encourage me in mine,” said Boyd.
Dominick Denney, currently in his spirituality year at Saint John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver, has also found a common bond with Blessed Stanley.
“One quality that I really admire about Blessed Stanley is his love and devotion to the people entrusted to his care,” said Denney. “My heart has been set aflame with a great zeal for souls, and this is a quality that I certainly share with him. Being able to share in the joys, but also the sorrows, of this zeal with him has been such a gift.”
Denney, whose home parish is Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Enid, explained how Blessed Stanley’s story has inspired him in his own vocation.
“In the past years of my formation, there have been many moments in which I was unsure of where the road would lead,” Denney said. “Blessed Stanley has inspired my vocational journey through his unwavering trust in God's providence.”
Although Blessed Stanley has served as an inspiration for clergy and laypeople, his particular influence on seminarians is one that will create a deep and lasting impact on the Church.
Sally Linhart is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.
To learn more about vocations in the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, visit okcvocations.com.
To make a gift to support the seminarians, visit archokc.org/seminarianfund.
To learn more about Bl. Stanley Rother, visit archokc.org/stanleyrother.
Photo: Dominick Denney at the 2022 Bl. Stanley Feast Day Mass celebrated by Archbishop Peter Wells in Okarche. Photo provided.
