A documentary highlighting the life of Bl Stanley Rother will be released in cinemas in the United States from August 25 to 27.
“American Martyr: The Stanley Rother Story”, a feature-length documentary narrated by Martin Sheen, tells the story of Bl Stanley Rother, a priest from Oklahoma who was murdered in Guatemala in 1981 while serving as a missionary.
“Blessed Stanley Rother's story begins in the fields of Oklahoma and leads to the mountains of Guatemala, where he gave his life in service to the people he loved,” said Archbishop Paul Coakley of Oklahoma City, Rother’s home diocese, in a press release.
Coakley continued: “Faced with credible threats to his life, he could have remained safely at home. Instead, he chose to return to his parish because he believed a shepherd does not abandon his flock. His witness of courage, fidelity and sacrificial love is as relevant today as ever.”
The documentary will feature first-hand accounts of Rother’s life and ministry, along with archival footage of the priest’s life, said a press release.
Born on March 27, 1935, in Okarche, Oklahoma, Rother grew up with three siblings on a farm. Following high school, Rother entered seminary and was eventually ordained a priest of what was then the Diocese of Oklahoma City.
While Rother struggled with Latin in seminary, he proved adept at other languages. In 1968, five years into his priesthood, he requested to be sent to the diocese’s mission church in Guatemala. While in Guatemala, Rother learned to speak Spanish and the Tz’utujil language, and helped to translate the Bible into Tz’utujil.
During his time in Guatemala, the Guatemalan Civil War intensified, and clergy were among those targeted by the government due to their advocacy for the poor. Rother eventually learned that his name was on a “kill list” and was encouraged to leave Guatemala.
While he left Guatemala in January 1981, he petitioned his archbishop to return for Easter. On July 28, 1981, he was shot and killed after three men broke into his church.
“Blessed Stanley Rother was an ordinary man who responded to God's call with extraordinary courage, ultimately laying down his life for the people he served in Guatemala,” said María Ruiz Scaperlanda, the promoter of Blessed Stanley Rother’s Cause for Canonization, in a press release.
Rother was beatified on September 23, 2017, and was the first US-born priest and martyr to be beatified.
The movie, she said, will expose audiences to “not only a compelling true story, but also a powerful example of holiness, sacrifice and missionary discipleship”.
Ruiz Scaperlanda continued: “My hope is that this film will inspire countless people to discover Blessed Stanley's life, seek his intercession and recognize that sainthood is possible for ordinary men and women who faithfully follow Christ wherever He leads.”
“American Martyr: The Stanley Rother Story” is produced by Lampstand Story Company and will be distributed by Fathom Entertainment. Tickets can be purchased on Fathom’s website.
