He Listened to Us
A Maya Witness to Blessed Stanley “Apla’s” Rother
- History & Biography
- Publisher: Resource Publications (Wipf and Stock)
- Published: 2025
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Publisher's Description
He Listened to Us is a memoir by Maya community leader Juan Ajtzip in Santiago Atitlan, Guatemala, focusing on his relationship with Blessed Stanley Rother, who was martyred there in 1981. Rother, a missionary priest from Oklahoma, has been declared a martyr for the faith and was beatified by Pope Francis in 2017. He lived among the Tz'utujil Maya people of Santiago Atitlan, Guatemala, from 1968 until his assassination on July 28, 1981. Guided by his deep sense of pastoral vocation, Rother defended the dignity of the Tz'utujil after centuries of racism and repression, inspiring Maya community leaders to launch their own social initiatives. In this memoir, Juan Ajtzip, who worked closely with Rother, offers the first account of his impact in a Mayan voice. The result is a memory of Rother, embedded in a memoir of Juan's own life, embedded within the "Atiteca" community.
Endorsements (4)
“He Listened to Us is a unique reflection on the mission of Blessed Stan Rother told through the experience of a close Mayan colleague. Juan Ajtzip offers the reader a rich, important opportunity to taste the challenges and beauty of the community’s life in Santiago Atitlán that so deeply engaged Blessed Rother.”
“The struggles of the community in Santiago Atitlán, Guatemala, and the martyrdom of Fr. Stan Rother for his unwavering support of the local Mayan people represent a significant chapter in the history of faith-based solidarity. Juan Ajtzip artfully intertwines his memoir, Fr. Stan Rother’s ministry, and the community’s testimony. He Listened to Us is a powerful testament to the power of Catholic witness, the depth of Rother’s solidarity, and the enduring fight for human dignity.”
“Ajtzip, who worked closely with Father Stanley Rother, describes the priest’s commitment to fully convivir—to share in full community with the people of Santiago Atitlán—even at the price of his own life. This deeply personal and highly readable book—part memoir, part religious reflection, and part alternative history of Guatemala from an indigenous perspective—offers a unique and valuable addition to our understanding of the interstices of faith, culture, violence, and devotion.”
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