Stanley Rother: Episode Two
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What warning and content advisories open the episode about Stanley Rother?
The story of Blessed Stanley Rother includes discussion of government persecution and torture. If you're listening with younger ears, you may want to screen these episodes first. Thank you for listening.
It's 1968, a year of protest and violent civil unrest. 33-year-old Father Stanley Rother has been serving the people of Oklahoma for five years. But now his bishop calls him to a private meeting and proposes a move. from the safety of America's heartland to the uncertainty of a small nation entrenched in vicious civil war.
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The Tezutahil people are descendants from the Mayan Indians. As you know, Micatocla is our mission in Santiago Atitlan, Guatemala. Beautiful lake, beautiful land, beautiful people, but they live in extreme poverty. Father Frank was supposed to go, but at the last minute, plans changed.
Why is Father Stanley Rother asked to leave Oklahoma for Guatemala in 1968?
We'd like you to go, Stanley. Guatemala, Bishop Reed? St. James the Apostle is a 400-year-old parish. Until we arrived with the Oklahoma Mission, there wasn't a priest in residence for over a century. Am I qualified to be a missionary? I've only ever served as a parish priest. With your farming and mechanical skills you're the best chance they have at a better life. Frankly, we should have sent you sooner. Voluntas Dei. God's will be done.
Glad you found the rectory. Most people pass it. I really need to trim those bushes.
Father Rother, I presume. Good morning, Father Stafford. I appreciate you taking the drive with me. Call me Stan.
Good morning, Stan. Call me Tom. Cool truck. Always wanted a Ford Bronco. Tess drove a red and white one just like this.
Let's hope she makes it to Guatemala. I've been looking forward to our road trip. It sure would have been a lot shorter if you flew to Guatemala instead of driving there with me from Oklahoma.
Most people bring a suitcase or two. You, Stanley Rother, bring a thousand pound rock picker? A man needs his tools. No, really? We're going to drive 2,000 miles with that in tow?
We are.
Why?
You're the veteran missionary in this car. You tell me.
Why do I have the distinct feeling that Tsutuhil Indians are going to learn to farm like an Oklahoman? Because they are. They grow corn, right? They do. It's their main staple. Well, how much do they make selling their crops? Fifty dollars a year for a whole family. Who can live on that? Barely produce enough to eat. They grow it on a small plot as much as a three or four hour walk from their home.
We're changing that. We need to get them some land and open a co-op so they can sell what they grow.
How do you propose we do that with civil unrest brewing almost daily?
Faith.
So, Stan, who's the patron saint of mufflers? We're almost there.
I'll take a look. It's shot. Torn off from these terrible roads. Oh.
Wow, look at that view. Have you ever laid eyes on anything like this? Breathtaking. A massive volcanic crater with the deepest freshwater lake in Central America right smack in the middle of it.
The glassy blue water. So peaceful. The way it drifts past the village.
Mystical is the way I describe it. Huge volcanoes tower in the background. The rugged cliffs. The lush greenery around the lake.
I've never seen anything like it. Look at the tiny huts scattered over by the jungle.
The people may be poor, but they live in God's magnificent landscape.
Okay, so where do I go from here?
Make a right. The church square is at the end of the road. We're here. Bienvenido a Santiago, Father Rother. Good night, Stan. I'm turning in.
The last night here. These last few weeks have gone too fast.
I have to leave before dawn to catch the bus.
What practical skills and mission goals does Bishop Reed expect Stanley to bring?
My parish is on the other side of the lake.
It won't be the same without you. I'm a newcomer among these veteran volunteers and missionaries. I'm pretty quiet, and they're... Extroverts! Well, I guess you could say that.
Stan, you have one very important thing over the lot of them. Oh? You can fix anything. Those ladies were thrilled when you cleaned, painted, and installed lights in the bathroom on the women's wing of the complex.
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Chapters
4 chapters
1
What warning and content advisories open the episode about Stanley Rother?
0:00–1:19
2
Why is Father Stanley Rother asked to leave Oklahoma for Guatemala in 1968?
1:19–5:34
3
What practical skills and mission goals does Bishop Reed expect Stanley to bring?
5:34–8:38
4
Why does Stanley insist on bringing farm equipment on a 2,000-mile road trip?
8:38–12:28