He couldn't learn Latin — but he mastered a language spoken in only a couple of Guatemalan villages, gave his life for the people he served, and inspired a movie now heading to nearly 900 theaters nationwide.
In this episode of The Engage Parish Podcast, we sit down with Michael and María Ruiz Scaperlanda — María is the author of The Shepherd Who Didn't Run: Blessed Stanley Rother, Martyr from Oklahoma, and together they've spent decades advancing the cause of Blessed Stanley Rother, the first American-born priest recognized as a martyr by the Catholic Church.

We talk about how a Catholic-school story their kids brought home turned into a life's work, what made an “ordinary” Oklahoma farm boy resonate with Guatemalan villagers and American parishioners alike, and the remarkable behind-the-scenes story of how Martin Sheen came to narrate — and personally help rewrite — the new documentary American Martyr: The Stanley Rother Story, in theaters nationwide English Aug. 25–26 and Spanish Aug. 27, 2026.
Whether you serve at a parish, work in Catholic media, or are simply looking for a story of ordinary faithfulness this week, this conversation will stay with you.

Show Notes / Links

American Martyr: The Stanley Rother Story (Fathom Entertainment): ⁠https://www.fathomentertainment.com/releases/american-martyr-the-stanley-rother-story/⁠

Official film site: ⁠https://www.rotherdoc.com⁠
Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine: ⁠https://www.rothershrine.org⁠

The Shepherd Who Didn't Run by María Ruiz Scaperlanda: ⁠https://www.osvcatholicbookstore.com/the-shepherd-who-didn-t-run-blessed-stanley-rother-martyr-from-oklahoma-revised.html⁠

Carmel Communications (film publicity — group/theater buy-out inquiries): ⁠https://carmelcommunications.com⁠

Subscribe to the Engage Parish Podcast for more conversations at the intersection of faith, ministry, and parish life.