The
shepherd cannot run at the first sign of danger." -
Fr. Stanley Francis Rother
Fr.
Stanley Rother was true to his word. He did not run. And was martyred
at the age of 46.
Fr.
Stanley arrived in Guatemala in 1968, and immediately identified with
his parishioners' simple, farming lifestyle. He learned their
languages, prepared them for the Sacraments, and cared for their
needs. Fr. Stanley, or "Padre Francisco" as he was called
by his beloved Tz'utujil Indians, had found his heart's calling.
After
nearly a decade, the violence of the Guatemalan civil war found its
way into the peaceful village. Disappearances, killings, and danger
became daily occurrences, but despite this unrest Fr. Stanley
remained hard at work, building a farmer's co-op, a school, a
hospital, and the first Catholic radio station, used for catechesis.
In
early 1981, his name was on a death list, so he returned to Oklahoma
and was warned not to return. But he could not abandon his people, so
he went back, and made the ultimate sacrifice for his faith.
"Pray
for us that we may be a sign of the love of Christ for our people,"
said Fr. Stanley, "that our presence among them will fortify
them to endure these sufferings in preparation for the coming of the
Kingdom."
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