More Than 100 Attend Memorial

By Ray Dyer
The Sooner Catholic

OKARCHE — On a very windy and very hot afternoon more than 100 Catholics gathered at the gravesite of Father Stanley Rother for a memorial service dedicated to the priest who was slain in Guatemala 25 years ago.

Archbishop Beltran, who had returned late the night before from leading a pilgrimage to Santiago Atitlan, Guatemala, led the 3 p.m. Memorial Service at Holy Trinity Cemetery.  A number of Father Rother’s relatives were seated on the front row, included among them were Father Rother’s siblings, Sister Marita Rother, ASC, and brother Tom Rother. Also there were several cousins including Sister Elizabeth “Nora” Fuchs of the Sisters of Saint Francis. Sister Elizabeth lives in Colorado Springs, Colo. She made the pilgrimage to Guatemala to see and meet the people her second cousin was willing to give his life for.

“They were so beautiful,” Sister Elizabeth said, referring to the Tzutujil Indians who live there. She said the countryside was more beautiful than she could have imagined. “And living in Colorado I’ve seen beautiful landscapes, but this was even more beautiful.” Sister Elizabeth said it was obvious to her the people there, even 25 years later, still hold Father Rother in great esteem. “It was so difficult to get close to the shrine they have made for him,” she said. “They were all gathered around so close. Even the children.”

Archbishop Beltran said the churches where Mass was celebrated were packed with Catholics, many, perhaps more than 200 standing outside. He said the people came to celebrate the Eucharist and pray for Father Rother because “they recognize he did not die in vain.” The archbishop said, “God calls us to be a people of hope, faith and love.” He pointed to the violence in the Middle East, “the Holy Land where anger surmounts intelligence” and said even when there is so much tragedy we must remember, “our hope and faith is in the person of Jesus Christ.

“Life everlasting is what called Father Rother to the priesthood,” the archbishop said. “We met so many people in Guatemala who were baptized by him. There seems to be a much greater feeling of peace there today. Much of this is due to Father Rother’s ministry and service.

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