First American Martyr Beatified

Sep. 23 was an exciting day for American Catholics as they beatified their first Martyr.

The now Blessed Fr. Stanley Rother, originally born in Okarche, Oklahoma, and tragically killed in Guatemala took another step on the path to sainthood.

In his youth, he lived on his family’s farm and attended the same school until he was ready to join the seminary. There, he struggled greatly with academics, failing several classes and at one point, even failing out of the seminary.

Finally, he graduated from Mount Saint Mary’s in Maryland. After being ordained, Fr. Rother answered the call of, St. John XXIII–who at the time was pope– and joined the mission to the poor country of Guatemala. He worked in the town of Tz’utujil and built strong relationships with the people through his service to the community.

“It was very easy for him to be with the people,” said Fr. Pedro Bocal, a personal friend of Rother’s. “ Especially with the children and poor people and anyone who needed anything.”

However, tension was rising with the Guatemalan Government. The officials began blaming the Church for the rebellions sweeping the country. The violence in the town grew almost unbearable and people were being abducted off the streets and killed.

Fr. Rother continued to work and serve until his name appeared on a death list, and he was forced to return home to Okarche.

Back on his family’s farm, he could not seem to find peace, and as Easter approached, he wished to be back with his people in Guatemala. In a letter to Oklahoma Catholics, he wrote these words that he is famously remembered for:

“The shepherd cannot run at the first sign of danger.” And he didn’t. During Holy Week, Rother returned to his people well aware of the fact that he may never see his family again. And he never did.

In the early morning hours of July 28, 1981 three men broke into the rectory and attacked Fr. Rother in his bedroom. He fought, but did not shout for fear of injuring his fellow mission-workers. Shot twice in the head by his assailants, he died instantly.

The word of his heroism quickly spread and in October of 2007, the cause for his canonization was opened. He then became a Servant of God, the first step on the path to sainthood. Finally, on Sept. 23, 2017, at the Cox Convention Center, he was beatified, making him “Blessed Stanley Rother.”

A crowd of 20,000 people gathered. Not only was this twice as many people as expected, but the crowd exceeded the maximum capacity of the arena. So many people celebrated the life of a man who gave his life for the people.

​The beatification was celebrated primarily by Cardinal Angelo Amato, the Prefect of the Congregation of of the causes of saints, and was presided by several other priest and bishops from many different cities, states and even countries. With an incredibly diverse crowd, the parts of the Mass were read in English and Spanish, and Choirs from all over the world performed before and during the Liturgy.

Finally, the Mass began and a letter, declaring Fr. Rother beatified was read and the huge crowd roared in applause.

“If the martyrdom of Blessed Stanley Francis Rother ‘Fills us with sadness,’ it also “gives us the joy of admiring the kindness, generosity and courage of a great man of faith,” Cardinal Angelo Amato said during the homily that followed.

​Fr. Stanley was just a farm boy from a small town in Oklahoma, but his love, kindness and courage made him known to all of the world as symbol of holiness, shepard and example of a leader. He touched the lives of many, many people and brought many souls closer to Jesus. Now he is one step closer to becoming a Saint.