The Shepherd Who Didnt Run, Maria Ruiz Scaperlanda
The Shepherd Who Didnt Run, Maria Ruiz Scaperlanda
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The Shepherd Who Didn't Run

Author: Maria Ruiz Scaperlanda

Narrator: Jo Anna Perrin

Unabridged: 6 hr 35 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 06/26/2018


Synopsis

"The shepherd cannot run at the first sign of danger." - Fr. Stanley Francis Rother

Fr. Stanley Rother was true to his word. He did not run. And was martyred at the age of 46.

Fr. Stanley arrived in Guatemala in 1968, and immediately identified with his parishioners' simple, farming lifestyle. He learned their languages, prepared them for the Sacraments, and cared for their needs. Fr. Stanley, or "Padre Francisco" as he was called by his beloved Tz'utujil Indians, had found his heart's calling.

After nearly a decade, the violence of the Guatemalan civil war found its way into the peaceful village. Disappearances, killings, and danger became daily occurrences, but despite this unrest Fr. Stanley remained hard at work, building a farmer's co-op, a school, a hospital, and the first Catholic radio station, used for catechesis.

In early 1981, his name was on a death list, so he returned to Oklahoma and was warned not to return. But he could not abandon his people, so he went back, and made the ultimate sacrifice for his faith.

"Pray for us that we may be a sign of the love of Christ for our people," said Fr. Stanley, "that our presence among them will fortify them to endure these sufferings in preparation for the coming of the Kingdom."

About Maria Ruiz Scaperlanda

In the past thirty years, Maria Ruiz Scaperlanda has been published broadly in the U.S., including the New York Times, St. Anthony Messenger, Our Sunday Visitor and other national and regional publications. She is a former Director and Vice-President of the Catholic Press Association Board, and a fellow of the Salzburg Global Seminar, an international community of intellectuals.


Reviews

Goodreads review by John on February 11, 2016

I had known of Fr. Stan Rother and had visited Santiago Atitlán twice about 20 years ago. This book reveals the heart of this missionary priest, a simple man, dedicated to the people, a martyr for his love and presence with them. An easy read, but good Lenten fare.......more

Goodreads review by Steven R. on August 10, 2021

I knew almost nothing about Father Stanley Francis Rother when I began reading this book. I had stumbled across mentions of it a few times. And the cover definitely intrigued me. But I did not know much about what I was getting in for. This story took place during my formative years. And I was in gr......more

Goodreads review by Jerry on February 14, 2018

I loved reading about a Priest that grew up on a Oklahoma farm and had a very good work ethic that he carried into his priesthood. His work ethic was just one of his strengths that the Tz’utujil people loved as a Mission Priest in Guatemala. The love of the Tz’utujil people is what eventually cost h......more

Goodreads review by Stephen on October 29, 2024

I’ve known about Bl. Stanley Rother since seminary. His pictures were everywhere at Mt. St. Mary. However, I never read about his life. I knew his story in general, but didn’t pursue it until now. This book was very helpful for me to read, because it gave me great insight into his true holiness. The......more

Goodreads review by David on December 15, 2021

Great biography of an ordinary catholic priest who died as a martyr because he loved his people. I think even Protestants, like me, can find much encouragement in this story. Stanley was an ordinary farm boy from Texas. He failed out of seminary the first time and was close to not becoming a priest.......more