Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine receives $14,494 grant from the Oklahoma City Community Foundation

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – The Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine is pleased to announce it has received a $14,494 grant from the Oklahoma City Community Foundation and its Parks & Public Space Initiative. The grant enabled the shrine’s Sacred Blossoms project, which will allow the Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine to more fully meet the health, cultural and recreational needs of citizens in Oklahoma County.

This grant is just one of the 17 grants awarded to local nonprofits through the OCCF Parks and Public Space Initiative. In all, $197,347 was awarded to nonprofits during this grant cycle. Grants awarded through the Parks & Public Space Initiative support programs that encourage the use of public parks for recreation, health, and wellness activities.

“We are so pleased to have received this grant,” says the shrine’s Director of Development, Christi Jeffreys. “Our Sacred Blossoms project will encourage greater use of the area-by-area residents. We appreciate the support of the Oklahoma City Community Foundation.”

The Sacred Blossoms project envisions a rose garden at the Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine, serving as a beautiful tribute to his legacy. Roses, symbolic of love, martyrdom, and purity in Christian tradition, represent the blood of martyrs and honor Blessed Stanley's sacrifice. This serene garden will provide a tranquil space for contemplation and prayer, fostering spiritual connection while enhancing biodiversity and environmental stewardship. With vibrant colors, rich scents, and varied textures, it offers an inviting sanctuary, embodying a living legacy of faith and devotion.

Opened in 2023, the Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine in Oklahoma City, just off I-35, welcomes visitors daily from 9-5 as a pilgrimage site, museum, and final resting place of Blessed Stanley Rother, the first US-born priest to reach this point on the path to sainthood. Designed as an accessible sanctuary for rest and renewal, the Shrine invites all to experience the peace of Christ, draw strength from His Church, and discover the legacy of Oklahoma's remarkable martyr. Learn more about the shrine and its offerings at www.rothershrine.org. 

Founded in 1969, the Oklahoma City Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity that works with donors to create charitable funds that will benefit our community both now and in the future. For more information about the Oklahoma City Community Foundation, visit www.occf.org.