Discover American Saints, Blesseds, and Venerables: Read with Father Scott
During this year, in which our country will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Father Scott has been reading a book each month about an American Saint, Blessed or Venerable (or one who has made an impact in our country). So far, he has read books about St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Venerable Mother Mary Lange, St. Katharine Drexel, St. Damian of Molokai, and St. Juniperso Serra.
In August, join Father Scott in learning about American parish priest Fr. Michael McGivney and his path to sainthood by reading: “Parish Priest: Father Michael McGivney and American Catholicism” by Douglas Brinkley and Julie M. Fenster.
In July, Fr. Scott invited us to learn about Blessed Stanley Rother by reading “The Shepherd Who Didn’t Run: Blessed Stanley Rother, Martyr from Oklahoma” (Revised) by Maria Ruiz Scaperlanda.
Here are 5 Things to Know about Blessed Stanley Rother:
1. Blessed Stanley Rother is the first American-born martyr.
2. Though he struggled academically in the seminary, he was able to learn the local native lan- guage in Guatemala, the Tzʼutujil language. He translated the New Testament and the missal prayers for Mass into the Tzʼutujil language.
3. Blessed Stanley was a handyman and a jack of all trades. He used these skills to build many buildings and help the people with their farming skills.
4. Blessed Stanley Rother returned from Oklahoma to his Guatemalan parish despite the danger to his own life, saying, “A shepherd cannot run from his flock.”
5. Blessed Stanley Rother’s Tz’utujil parishioners have his heart. His body was returned to Oklahoma for burial, but his Guatemalan parishioners enshrined his heart. The room in which he was killed is now a chapel.
There will be an opportunity to gather together for discussion about Blessed Stanley Rother and this book.
