CatholicSaints.Info

Memorial

• 28 July

Profile

Graduated from Mount Saint Mary’s seminary in Maryland. Priest in the archdiocese of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. A pipe smoker. Missionary to Guatemala in 1968. Murdered for his work and faith.

Born

• 27 March 1935 in Okarche, Oklahoma

Died

• shot at approximately 2am on 28 July 1981 in his rectory in Santiago Atitlán, Sololá, Guatemala

Venerated

• 1 December 2016 by Pope Francis (decree of martyrdom)

Beatified

• 23 September 2017 by Pope Francis
• beatification recognition celebrated at the Cox Convention Center, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma presided by Cardinal Angelo Amato

Readings

A shepherd cannot run away. – Father Stanley

He gave himself fully to his people. He remained with them courageously in a time of darkness. When a wolf threatens a flock, the shepherd remains. He laid down his life for his people long before they came to kill him. – Bishop Anthony Taylor, Diocese of Little Rock, Arkansas

Father Rother laid down his life for Christ and for the people of his parish in Guatemala, whom he dearly loved. – Archbishop Paul Coakley, Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

MLA Citation

• “Blessed Stanley Francis Rother“. CatholicSaints.Info. 10 November 2019. Web. 27 January 2021. <>