SAINT: Blessed Stanley Rother – 28 July

By Heather Excell

The path to holiness often requires courage in circumstances that we would rather avoid. Blessed Stanley Rother demonstrated this faithfulness throughout his life, guided by the conviction that “the shepherd cannot run at the first sign of danger”.

Born in rural Oklahoma in 1935, Stanley grew up on a farm as the eldest of four children. Throughout his upbringing, faith was woven into the rhythm of daily life. Stanley attended Mass regularly, serving as an altar boy. The local community expected him to continue farming, but Stanley sensed a calling to the priesthood and sought entry to the seminary.

Stanley struggled academically, and because of this he faced many challenges on his path to priesthood. It was through the support of his Bishop that Stanley was able to complete his formation and was ordained a priest in 1963.

After only five years serving as a diocesan priest in Oklahoma, Fr Stanley volunteered for mission work in Guatemala. Determined to faithfully serve the people there, he learned both Spanish and the local Tz’utujil language, eventually celebrating Mass and proclaiming the Gospel in their native tongue.

His mission reached far beyond the walls of the church. Fr Stanley visited families in their homes, cared for the sick, worked alongside farmers, and helped to improve local agriculture and irrigation. He shared in the daily struggles of the people he served, earning their trust and affection.

His time in Guatemala coincided with a brutal civil war. As violence spread through the country, thousands of people were kidnapped or killed. Fr Stanley often helped families recover the bodies of loved ones in order to bury them with dignity, and refused to remain silent about the suffering unfolding around him.

As the government repression intensified, priests and Church leaders increasingly became targets. Fr Stanley’s name appeared on a death list, and he was urged to leave the country for his safety.

Reluctantly returning to Oklahoma, Fr Stanley prayed for his people, soon realising that he could not abandon those entrusted to his care. Knowing the risks he would face, he made the decision to return to Guatemala.

“The shepherd cannot run at the first sign of danger,” he said.

Only months after his return, three armed men broke into the rectory and murdered him during the night.

In 2017, Fr Stanley was beatified after Pope Francis recognised him as a martyr who gave his life out of fidelity to Christ and love for his people. Today, he is remembered as the first American-born martyr to be beatified by the Church.

The example of Bl Stanley reminds us that holiness can often be found in the decision to remain faithful to the people and responsibilities God has entrusted to us. His witness challenges us to place God’s will before our own comfort, to speak the truth with love, and to persevere in faith even when it comes at a cost.