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Blessed Stanley Rother

I recently attended a Mass at the Lourdes Grotto, behind Mount Saint Mary’s Seminary College, in Emmitsburg, Maryland. The Mass was in honor of the 40th death anniversary of Blessed Stanley Rother, a 46-year-old missionary priest from Okarche, Oklahoma, who was martyred for his faith in Guatemala.

How moving the ceremony was as the Celebrant, Father Thomas Tewes, explained that he was a friend, a classmate of Blessed Stanley Rother. It was there at The Mount, they were ordained together, a class of 22, on May 25, 1963.

As seminarians they worked hard clearing shrubbery and maintaining this Grotto which Blessed Stanley loved so well. These are the holy grounds Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton walked 165 years before.

Father Tewes recalled how Blessed Stanley would tease others and that he had a contagious laugh. He had a deep devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Blessed Stanley received money from an Uncle’s Trust which he used for the treatment (and cure) of one in need. He loved the poor. In 1968 Blessed Stanley drove from his Oklahoma hometown to Guatemala where he spent 13 years. He learned both Spanish and their native language and he rebuilt their Church. He passed on his farming skills for the betterment of the people.

His parishioners became missing, and eventually 31 were found killed. He buried them but refused to speak of retaliation.

He returned to his home in Oklahoma. This was actually a farewell visit as he was determined to return and shepherd his flock in Guatemala. He suspected he could be killed in retaliation for his goodness to the people of that region. He also visited his Seminarian friends and prayed at his beloved Grotto at Emmitsburg.

A year or so after returning to Guatemala, on July 28, 1981, several thugs busted into his rectory at midnight. As he had sworn to others, he refused to be captivated and taken from his Rectory. At that point he was held down and shot twice. There were ultimately no arrests for his murder.

His Church in Guatemala held 1,000 but there were 3,000 in attendance for his funeral. A memorial is enshrined in his honor in Guatemala while is body is buried at Oklahoma. At the ceremony where Blessed Stanley Rother was named Blessed, 17,000 attended in Oklahoma where Catholics are a minority. One miracle is needed for him to be named “Saint” by the Catholic Church.

CHRISTOPHER CALORE

Wilkes-Barre

Submitted via email

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