On September 23. 2017 the first U.S.-born Martyr was beatified: Father Stanley Rother, of the Diocese of Oklahoma City.
An Oklahoma farm boy, he fit in well with the oppressed Catholic peasants of Guatemala during the chaotic war fought in the late 1970’s and 80’s, when the dicatorship killed thousands of Catholics and persecuted the Church.
Refusing to abandon his parish, he was murdered in the sacristy…..not crying out so as not to put any of his flock in danger of execution as well.
His body was returned to Oklahoma City (minus his heart, which stayed in Guatemala) and is buried here in Oklahoma City. Among the 14,000 people attending his Beatification were members of his family as well as some from the mission in Guatemala that he served and loved.
You can find out more about his life and his tomb in Oklahoma City by going to our page here.
