Blessed Stanley Rother
Born: March 27, 1935
Died: July 28, 1981
Feast day: July 28
Patron saint of: N/A
In 1953, a martyr’s death seemed unlikely for Stanley Rother, who struggled with his studies as a seminarian before flunking out. His bishop saw something special in this unassuming farm boy, however, and arranged for him to enter another seminary. Rother persevered and was ordained in 1963, but the ordeal left him feeling inadequate in his priestly ministry. When he was offered the opportunity to serve in Oklahoma City’s diocesan mission parish in Santiago Atitlán in 1968, he jumped at the chance. In Guatemala, he would find the fulfillment that had eluded him in Oklahoma.
—Donna Whitson Brett and Edward T. Brett
More about Stanley Rother:
Blessed Stanley Rother inspired a revolution of solidarity
After his martyrdom, Father Stanley Rother’s ministry inspired the Tz’utujil people to lead a peaceful revolt.
Good shepherd: Father Stan Rother
In the moment of truth, Rother proved himself a man of extraordinary faith.
Image: Wikimedia Commons
