The Stanley Rother Project
“When they kill me, don’t cry…. Light the paschal candle and put up the Easter Banner!”
Stanley Francis Rother
Stanley Francis Rother was a Catholic priest from the diocese of Oklahoma City who served as a missionary in Santiago Atitlán, Guatemala. A beloved champion of the indigenous Tz’utujil people, Fr. Stan was Martyred on July the 28th, 1981, shot twice by unknown assailants linked to the Guatemalan Army.
Fr. Stan’s work amongst the Tz’utujil encouraged them to be more self-sufficient, healthier, and perhaps more assertive of their human rights. In 2016, the Vatican judged his murder a result of “a hatred for his faith,” and declared him a Martyr of the Church.
In 2017, Fr. Stan was Beatified, the final step before Canonization as a Saint.
The Stanley Rother Project is dedicated to spreading the word of Fr. Stan’s sacrifice, encouraging a dialogue on the meaning of service and leadership, and supporting the cause of his Canonization through acts in his name.
It is a community of loved ones in devotion to Blessed Stanley Rother, open to everyone regardless of their faith tradition.
Who Is Inspired? Are you:
Searching for ways to serve? +
Fr. Stan felt a strong vocation for the Priesthood. He was discouraged many times but fought hard to find his way, and serve his parish and thus contribute to the work of the Church. He never gave up hope. We shouldn’t either. Someone, or some group of people somewhere need us. We are worthy. Today literally thousands of people have been touched by the ways Fr. Stan gave of himself. With god’s blessing, none of us will be required to sacrifice our lives as he did; but his example can guide us nonetheless.
Pray to Fr. Stan. Ask his intercession to help you find the right way to serve, for the strength and determination to fulfill your promise to a chosen community.
Struggling Academically? +
Fr. Stan was never a gifted student. He was asked to leave the Seminary due to struggles in Latin and Theology class. His motivation to achieve what he sought never left him however. He sought tutoring and additional chances to learn, experience service and to prove himself. His community helped him. Ultimately he prevailed and “made the grade”! So can you. He who struggled in Latin mastered a spoken tongue very few non-indigenous people had been able to. He proved himself. So can you.
Pray to Fr. Stan. Ask his intercession in illuminating learning for you, in finding mentors to help you!
Former and Present Clergy? +
Whether you are now or ever have been a member of the clergy, in any religion, you know about the challenges of religious life. Living in community is difficult. Being challenged to find god’s will in your ministry is difficult. Vows are difficult. At times the issues faced by your flock are too long-lasting, too well-established, and too difficult for you to overcome. It often seems as if you are not making a difference or touching lives. Stan wasn’t a “perfect” priest - but he succeeded in touching the lives of those he served.
Pray to Fr. Stan. Ask his intercession in leading you to a genuine, useful, and meaningful contribution to your flock.
Affected by Violence or Post Traumatic Stress? +
As the violence reached Fr. Stan’s community, he helped the people cope when they barely could. He recovered the bodies of murdered parishioners. He witnessed kidnappings, consoled the grieving, and continually sought the just and priestly path in the midst of it all. He had an important duty every day, to himself, to god, and the Church. As the situation worsened, he knew he would be killed, but he continued each day. These are the kind of experiences first responders and other uniformed men and women experience. This is the path of those who sacrifice; at times it scars us inside our hearts as well as upon our bodies. Fr. Stan was no different. And like many men and women who lead dangerous lives of service, Fr. Stan sacrificed his life for his community.
Pray to Fr. Stan. Ask his intercession in giving you calm, giving you forgiveness, and giving you hope to carry on. Ask him to salve the wounds of the injured and to protect the innocent. Ask him to protect you.
A Catholic Looking for Role Models? +
Today many Catholics are tired of hearing again and again of clergy who have betrayed the trust of the innocent and failed to be leaders. Fr. Stan’s story is not, and should not be a “template” for every religious person. Every flock, every individual’s talents, and every time and place provide their own unique demands as well as opportunities. But the uniting characteristic is the unyielding requirement for discipline, hard work, and self-sacrifice. As believers we demand nothing less. When we are led by men and women who face this challenge with faith and energy, we will respond with the same.
Pray to Fr. Stan. Ask his intercession in healing the lives of those affected. Ask his blessing on your clergy, his guidance and inspiration. Ask that the disillusioned may find trust once again through his example.
A Supporter of Indigenous Peoples? +
Fr. Stan faced an extremely difficult political and societal situation upon his arrival in Guatemala. Cultural differences between communities, social classes, and various institutions caused extreme friction. The ability to lend a useful helping hand was at times counter-intuitive to what he expected would be his duties. He was forced to learn and learn quickly! His path required humility, patience, and perseverance. He was often sick and seldom enjoyed abundant resources. But he succeeded in helping his mission progress in miraculous ways. So can you.
Pray to Fr. Stan. Ask his intercession to bring you the opportunities you need to grow, to learn, and to practice patience and humility. Ask him to show you the soul of your community and not just where it needs help, but how.
A Member of the Central American Community? +
Regardless of whether you are from Santiago Atitlán, or anywhere in Guatemala, or Central America…. or anywhere else. If you belong to any marginalized group struggling for political, societal, or financial equity, you understand the community which Fr. Stan served. Let his example serve as inspiration to your community as well. You are never entirely alone, and increasingly it is men and women like Fr. Stan, from around the world as well as already inside your communities, who will make a difference.
Pray to Fr. Stan. Ask his intercession in showing your community the path through injustice, improvement, and mutual support. Ask Fr. Stan to motivate others to do god’s will .
An American Who is Proud of Fr. Stan? +
In recent years, the USA has become most well-known for our military adventures overseas, the often dysfunctional nature of our politics, and the sometimes superficial nature of our popular culture. The Stanley Rother Project recognizes that politics, military decisions, and popular culture should most justly be debated and discussed elsewhere. At the same time, it is valuable to celebrate Fr. Stanley Rother - an American “Export” of peace, genuine love, and sacrifice.
Pray to Fr. Stan. Ask his intercession to inspire the United States of America with his example and remind us that we are not finished interacting with the world around us, and that we can do so in his example.
The “Project”: Three Simple Agenda Points
Know his name, know his story.
Fr. Stan’s story belongs to everyone - and now to you as well. Use the resources on this site to guide you in getting to know more. If you are inspired, share this story with others.
Contemplate what his example means to you and your community
Many have found Fr. Stan’s life to be a meaningful and powerful example of a true follower of Christ. How would we be guided by it? How will we discover such faith within ourselves and exemplify such a dedication to service for those around us to witness? Could our clubs, our towns, our families and our larger communities be changed for the better with more dedicated leaders? Can our personal relationships use a dose of the “Rother” hard work, love and humility? Could we find greater purpose and pride in our own inner life with a stronger path of service to those around us?
If you feel compelled, do something in his name
The “Project” will provide you with ideas and connections with others, should you seek to be more involved. We can support the Cause of his Canonization in various important ways. The larger the community of those who ask for his help, his intercession, the more numerous the opportunities the Martyr will have to act, and thus greater will be the chances of a miracle to be attributed to him. In that case, Sainthood would be granted to him through the Canonization process. A community of loved ones will spread the presence of Fr. Stan’s example in our world. It is an example that is sorely needed!
“The shepherd cannot run at the first sign of danger”
– Fr. Stanley Rother