The Shepherd Who Didn't Run. Maria Ruiz Scaperlanda

as it is edifying. Please do not miss out on this incredible piece of work!”

       Marge Fenelon, journalist, speaker, and author of Imitating Mary and Our Lady, Undoer of Knots: A Living Novena

      “In taking pen to paper to tell Father Rother’s story of sacrificial love, María Ruiz Scaperlanda has achieved something remarkable for God and his people. For in learning of one priest’s loyalty toward the ‘anawim’ in Guatemala, a world away from the Oklahoma farm of his roots, we cannot help but find our hearts expanded and lurching more fervently toward the Lord of love. Read The Shepherd Who Didn’t Run with caution, however, for transformation is guaranteed.”

       Roxane B. Salonen, the collaborative writer for Ramona Treviño’s story, Redeemed by Grace: A Catholic Woman’s Journey to Planned Parenthood and Back

      “What words can I use to describe The Shepherd Who Didn’t Run? Strong, moving, faith-filled, haunting, and so full of the power of God are but a few. María Ruiz Scaperlanda paints a poignant portrait of a man who truly gave it all to God.

      “This story of a martyred priest reads quickly and powerfully, as we learn about his early roots and family life, his struggles in the seminary, and ultimately how he ended up in a remote corner of Guatemala, caring deeply for his people. Father Rother’s formation as a shepherd unfolds with the turn of each page, drawing us more deeply into his unique mission and ministry.

      “This volume is a treasure and should be read by many; I can see it used in both parish book clubs, as well as in catechesis for teens and adults.”

       Fran Rossi Szpylczyn, Catholic blogger, writer, and social media consultant

      The Shepherd Who Didn’t Run

      Father Stanley Rother, Martyr from Oklahoma

      María Ruiz Scaperlanda

      Our Sunday Visitor Publishing Division

      Our Sunday Visitor, Inc.

      Huntington, IN 46750

      Scripture texts in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition copyright © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C., and are used by permission of the copyright owner. All rights reserved. No part of the New American Bible may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the copyright owner. The quotation from 1 Peter 5:2 (page 21) is from the New American Bible, copyright © 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. All rights reserved.

      Quotations from papal and other Vatican-generated documents available on vatican.va are copyright © Libreria Editrice Vaticana.

      Every reasonable effort has been made to determine copyright holders of excerpted materials and to secure permissions as needed. If any copyrighted materials have been inadvertently used in this work without proper credit being given in one form or another, please notify Our Sunday Visitor in writing so that future printings of this work may be corrected accordingly.

      Copyright © 2015, 2019 by María de Lourdes Ruiz Scaperlanda. Published 2019.

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      All rights reserved. With the exception of short excerpts for critical reviews, no part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means whatsoever without permission from the publisher. For more information, visit: www.osv.com/permissions.

      Our Sunday Visitor Publishing Division, Our Sunday Visitor, Inc., 200 Noll Plaza,

      Huntington, IN 46750; 1-800-348-2440.

      ISBN: 978-1-68192-456-4 (Inventory No. T2343)

      eISBN: 978-1-68192-457-1

      LCCN: 2019931258

      Cover design: Amanda Falk

      Front cover art: Portrait of Father Stanley Rother courtesy of the author, copyright © Jim Effler

      Spine art and map of Guatemala: Shutterstock

      Interior design: Dianne Nelson

      Interior photos: See credits in photo section

      Printed in the United States of America

      To the many faithful priests, nuns, brothers, and sisters who have — and continue to — mold and enrich my life. You are Light!

      María Ruiz Scaperlanda

      2015, The Year of Consecrated Life

       Contents

       Preface to the Revised Edition

      Foreword by Most Reverend Paul S. Coakley, Archbishop of Oklahoma City

      Introduction by Sister Marita Rother, A.S.C

       Chapter 1: Love to the Extreme Limit

       July 28, 1981: The Shepherd Who Didn’t Run

       The Santiago Atitlán Mission: A Return to Ministry

       “If It Is My Destiny That I Should Give My Life Here, Then So Be It …”

       As We Get Started

       Chapter 2: Son of the Red Earth State

       A Long Lineage of Germans, Farmers, Catholics

       Becoming Oklahomans

       The Rother Family

       School: A Family Competition

       Stanley’s Road to the Priesthood: A Vision of Mission

       I Want to Be a Priest

       Everything Changes: The First Seminary

       Where Do You Find God?

       Chapter 3: A New Beginning

       Mount St. Mary’s

       Ordination Day: May 25, 1963

       Ministry: The Early Years

       The Texoma Undertaking

       Stanley’s First Work with Indians

       An Oklahoma Mission in