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Oklahoma martyr celebrated as a saint ‘not born with a halo’

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Oklahoma martyr celebrated as a saint ‘not born with a halo’


NEW YORK – On the dedication of a shrine to honor the Blessed Stanley Rother, the primary martyr from the U.S. acknowledged by the Catholic Church, Archbishop Paul Coakley of Oklahoma Metropolis mentioned Rother was an strange man with deep religion, who charted a path anyone can comply with.

“If anyone from Okarche, Oklahoma, could be beatified, develop into a saint, then good golly, anyone can,” Coakley mentioned. “As a result of that’s the great thing about [Rother]. He was certainly one of us, a really strange man, a hardworking man, a person of sturdy convictions, of deep religion, however not born with a halo.”

Coakley presided over the Feb. 17 dedication of the $50 million shrine, which hundreds attended. Amongst these in attendance have been Archbishop Christopher Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio to the USA; Archbishop Emeritus Eusebius Beltran of Oklahoma Metropolis – whom Coakley credited with pursuing Rother’s trigger –; and Archbishop Gonzalo de Villa of Santiago de Guatemala, previously of the Diocese of Sololá-Chimaltenango, the place Rother served and endured martyrdom.

Whereas on mission work in Santiago Aititlán, Guatemala, in 1981, Rother, a priest, was shot to demise by three masked assassins who entered his rectory in the course of the nation’s civil conflict, a bloody 36-ywar battle which left an estimated 200,000 folks killed or “disappeared.”

On the time, Rother was 46. Pope Francis acknowledged him as a martyr in 2016, and he was beatified a 12 months later. Along with being the primary martyr, he was the primary U.S. born diocesan priest to be beatified.

Rother wants a verified miracle involving his intercession to develop into a saint.

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On the dedication, Coakley spoke concerning the instance Rother set for all Catholics – clergy and laity – at a time when a lot of the nation and world have gotten ever extra hostile to the religion. He mentioned the instances name for “a sure measure of heroism and intentionality, a heroism that comes solely from dwelling out of a deep private relationship with Jesus Christ.”

“The world into which we’re despatched to go make disciples wants dedicated monks. It wants holy marriages and households,” Coakley mentioned. “It wants devoted lay leaders within the professions … to resume the tradition within the gentle of the gospel, the perfume of Christ, and the enticing fantastic thing about holiness.”

“We want devoted witnesses and fervent missionary disciples,” the archbishop continued. “Allow us to study. Allow us to examine the instance of our Blessed Brother Stanley Rother and confidently search his intercession that we are going to be discovered devoted as he was devoted and in the end be welcomed, as he was welcomed, into the corporate of the saints.”

Rother was born in 1935 within the small city of Okarche, Oklahoma, which is about 40 miles northwest of Oklahoma metropolis. Rising up he was an altar boy at his hometown Holy Trinity Catholic Church, however farming, not the priesthood, was extra his anticipated path.

When Rother selected to pursue the priesthood, he struggled out of the gate. He dropped out of his first seminary, earlier than graduating from one other forward of his ordination in 1963. Coakley highlighted that Rother’s seminary struggles present the belief he put within the Lord “to make use of his appreciable pure items and abilities and to reinforce them with religious items and charisms.”

“What an inspiration, an encouragement, for every of us to maneuver past our personal self, and [our] self-limiting consolation zones and fears,” Coakley mentioned. “To function we’re wanted, the place we’re wanted, regardless of the calls for, regardless of the prices. To be beneficiant. Certainly, to be heroic if that’s what’s known as for.”

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After Rother’s ordination, he served in a number of Oklahoma parishes earlier than volunteering for mission work in Santiago Atitlán, Guatemala, in 1968. He spent 13 years within the Central American nation. About half a 12 months earlier than he was killed on July 28, 1981, Rother wrote in a 1980 Christmas letter dwelling that “the shepherd can’t run on the first signal of hazard,” and selected to stay in Guatemala.

The shrine in Rother’s honor, situated in Oklahoma Metropolis, incorporates a 2,000-seat sanctuary, a customer heart and a present store. The “principal relic” of the shrine is Rother’s physique, situated within the adjoining chapel.

The shrine additionally incorporates a re-creation of Tepeyac Hill, the Mexico Metropolis web site the place Catholics consider the Virgin Mary appeared to Saint Juan Diego in December, 1531.

Coakley known as on these on the dedication to share Rother’s story, noting that “we are able to study from Blessed Stanley’s life many necessary classes.” He added that it’s particularly necessary to encourage younger males and seminarians, and pray for vocations to the priesthood, by providing the instance of Rother.

“To unfold his cult, as we name it within the church, to extend devotion to him and it shouldn’t be onerous. The extra we learn about his life we discover a very enticing determine, so relatable. An actual each man, strange, similar to us,” Coakley mentioned. “Not only for monks, however for all of us. However in a specific manner for younger males who dream about doing one thing impactful, I might dare say heroic, with their lives.”

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Comply with John Lavenburg on Twitter: @johnlavenburg





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Oklahoma

WATCH: Oklahoma Softball Newcomer Media Day

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WATCH: Oklahoma Softball Newcomer Media Day


RYAN CHAPMAN

Ryan is deputy editor at AllSooners and covers a number of sports in and around Norman and Oklahoma City.

Working both as a journalist and a sports talk radio host, Ryan has covered the Oklahoma Sooners, the Oklahoma City Thunder, the United States Men’s National Soccer Team, the Oklahoma City Energy and more.

Since 2019, Ryan has simultaneously pursued a career as both a writer and a sports talk radio host, working for the Flagship for Oklahoma sports, 107.7 The Franchise, as well as AllSooners.com.

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Ryan serves as a contributor to The Franchise’s website, TheFranchiseOK.com, which was recognized as having the “Best Website” in 2022 by the Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters.

Ryan holds an associate’s degree in Journalism from Oklahoma City Community College in Oklahoma City, OK. 



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How Oklahoma State football’s Iman Oates first sack was a sign he had made his mark on DL

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How Oklahoma State football’s Iman Oates first sack was a sign he had made his mark on DL


STILLWATER — Iman Oates was happy to have put pressure on the quarterback.

The Oklahoma State defensive tackle pulled TCU quarterback Josh Hoover to the ground in the first quarter of what turned out to be a 38-13 Cowboy loss Saturday night at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas.

Hoover tried to escape the pressure, but Oates dove, grabbing the quarterback and pulling him to the ground.

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“I thought he threw the ball away,” Oates said. “Then I got up and Kody Waltersheid was like, ‘Let’s go, Iman!’

“I was like, ‘Oh, it’s a sack.’”

Not just any sack, but Oates’ first of the season, and thus, the first of his OSU career.

Oates added another tackle for loss among his four stops Saturday as the product of Tulsa Edison High School and Northeastern Oklahoma A&M has turned into one of the Cowboys’ more reliable defensive linemen.

The 6-foot-3, 305-pound Oates redshirted last year, but quickly stepped in on a line full of returning players and made his mark. For the season, he has played 480 snaps, fifth-most on the defense and most among defensive linemen. 

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With one year of eligibility remaining, Oates should continue to be an impact player on what will be a mostly rebuilt defensive line next season.

Here’s a look at other Cowboys on the move in this week’s stock report:

Oklahoma State stock report

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Stock rising

Brennan Presley, receiver: The super-senior receiver became the Cowboys’ all-time leader in pass receptions, surpassing Rashaun Woods’ record of 293. Presley now has 297 for his career and surpassed the 5,000-yard mark in all-purpose yards, becoming the fourth OSU player to do so. In a year that has been hard to watch for Cowboy fans, Presley continues to be a ray of sunshine.

Young players’ development: Particularly on defense, the Cowboys got an extended look at some young players in the primary rotation for the first time. Now, with a week off, coach Mike Gundy said it would be a good time to let those players work their way toward more game snaps when the Pokes host Texas Tech on Nov. 23.

Stock falling

Veterans’ playing time: The flipside of the young players getting more involvement means veterans, especially those who are nearing the end of their careers, will have to share more time. Maybe some young offensive linemen work in with super-senior starters. The same will continue to happen at safety and on the defensive line. 

Alan Bowman, quarterback: He’s one of those super-seniors in danger of losing playing time in the final two games. The veteran quarterback deserves a proper senior salute for what he has given the program in a time of need. But the Cowboys need to be forward-thinking about the rest of the season. True freshman Maealiuaki Smith can play in the final two games without burning his redshirt, and it’s rare to have this opportunity to get a rookie QB meaningful snaps without endangering the status of your team.

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Oklahoma State redshirt tracker

Da’Wain Lofton looks destined to redshirt in his true senior season.

After transferring from Virginia Tech, Lofton was limited by an injury early in the season, but got on the field for four games.

However, he didn’t make the trip to Fort Worth, Texas, for the TCU game, so it looks like his season is over. Playing in a backup role to slot receiver Brennan Presley, Lofton had 140 receiving yards on six catches.

Lofton has played inside and outside receiver during his college career, and depending on what happens with the OSU roster, he could be in line for a prime role next season.

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Also, true freshman safety David Kabongo played in his fifth game of the season, wiping out his redshirt status. No other freshmen are in danger of surpassing the four-game mark over the final two weeks of the season.

And the Pokes debuted an unexpected freshman on Saturday. Linebacker/edge rusher Yamil Talib, a walk-on from Dallas, played five snaps, primarily as a pass rusher. The 6-foot-2, 230-pound Talib is the nephew of former Kansas standout and NFL cornerback Aqib Talib.

Here’s a look at the OSU redshirt tracker with two games remaining:

  • Played in more than four games: Landyn Cleveland, Fr.; Josh Ford, Fr.; David Kabongo, Fr.
  • Played in four games: Gavin Freeman, Jr.; Da’Wain Lofton, Sr.
  • Played in three games: None
  • Played in two games: Jonathan Agumadu, Fr.; Rodney Fields Jr., Fr.; Collin Oliver, Sr.; Maealiuaki Smith, Fr.
  • Played in one game: Yamil Talib, Fr.
  • Other non-freshman redshirt candidates: A.J. Green, Sr. (0 games) 



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Jalon Moore fuels Oklahoma’s comeback win over Northwestern State with 23 points

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Jalon Moore fuels Oklahoma’s comeback win over Northwestern State with 23 points


NORMAN, Okla. — Jalon Moore scored 19 of his career-high tying 23 points in the second half and Jeremiah Fears had 15 points and four steals and Oklahoma pulled away in the second half Monday night to beat Northwestern State 73-57.

Dayton transfer Kobe Elvis added 10 points and Sam Godwin grabbed 10 rebounds to go with eight points for Oklahoma (2-0).

Micah Thomas led Northwestern State (1-2) with 20 points and Addison Patterson scored 16. Willie Williams added 11 points and 10 rebounds.

After Moore — a 6-foot-4 freshman guard who was a top recruit in the class of 2025 before he reclassified — and Elvis each hit a pair of free throws. Fears made a layup and then was fouled as he hit a jumper and made the and-1 free throw to give the Sooners a one-point lead with 14 minutes to play. Patterson answered with a tip-in at the other end, but Moore made a 3-pointer, a layup and another from behind the arc before Elvis capped a 19-4 run with a layup that made it 51-44 about 5 minutes later.

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Moore converted a three-point play and then hit two free throws before Glenn Taylor Jr. made a layup to give Oklahoma an 11-point lead with 5 minutes to play. Taylor added a 3-pointer with 3:47 to go and Northwestern State trailed by double figures the rest of the way.

    AP college football poll (Nov. 10): Texas climbs after big win; SMU slides to No. 14
    Missouri’s scoop-and-score with 30 seconds left extends disaster season for Oklahoma

Find more college sports coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.

Find more Oklahoma coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.



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