Blessed Father Stanley Rother

Born: March 27, 1935
Death: July 28, 1981
Cause for Canonization Opened: 2007
Declared Blessed: December 1, 2016

Blessed Fr. Stanley Francis Rother, born in 1935 in Okarche, Oklahoma, grew up on a farm. A childhood filled with chores, school, sports and altar serving, led to discerning a vocation to the priesthood while in high school. He attended Assumption Seminary in San Antonio, Texas, and completed his studies at Mount Saint Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland. After serving as an associate pastor for the diocese of Oklahoma for 5 years, he sought permission to join the diocese’s mission to Santiago Atitlan, Guatemala. While there he ministered to the people — both spiritually and physically — and put his farming skills to use helping them in the fields and with irrigation systems. Thousands of Catholics were being killed during the Guatemalan civil war and after some time there, Fr. Rother’s name appeared on a “death list” of people that were targeted. While he initially returned to Oklahoma, he didn’t stay long, stating “the shepherd cannot run,” and returned to his people in Guatemala where he was martyred for his faith.

Read his story of courage here.

Prayer for the Canonization of  Blessed Stanley Rother

O God, fount of all holiness,
make us each walk worthily in our vocation,
through the intercession of your Saints,
on whom you bestowed a great variety of graces on earth.
Having graced your Church with the life of
your priest and martyr, Blessed Stanley Rother,
grant that by his intercession this humble flock may reach
where the brave shepherd has gone.
Grant that your Church may proclaim him a saint
living in your presence and interceding for us.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.