Blessed Stanley Francis Rother was a priest from Oklahoma who ministered in Guatemala during the 1960s-1980s. He translated the Bible into the native Tz’utujil language and served the people through agricultural and religious education. During the Guatemalan Civil War, Fr. Rother was martyred for his faith. He was shot in the rectory of his church on July 28, 1981. Pope Francis declared him a martyr on December 2, 2016, and he was beatified in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on September 23, 2017.
In composing this Mass honoring Blessed Fr. Rother, Robert Noble wanted to create a setting that was accessible in a variety of situations. It can be sung in English, in Spanish, or bilingually. While it is scored for piano accompaniment, it can easily be adapted to the organ.