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March 19, 2026Independence Day stands as an easy date to remember for any American. But one particular July 4 – back in 2007 – remains unforgettable for Deacon Norm Mejstrik.
“Archbishop (Eusebius) Beltran called me and said, ‘I have a project for you.’”
Quite a project, too, one spanning nearly two decades and yet to be completed, since Deacon Mejstrik isn’t, well, a miracle worker, yet a dedicated and passionate worker for sure on this project: the cause for canonization of Blessed Stanley Rother.
“It’s all been a great blessing,” Deacon Mejstrik said. “What an inspiration to have the privilege to be associated with this great cause.”
Not just associated with, front and center, with literally loads of work required just to get the case underway, beginning with vast paperwork collected and boxed and shipped to the Vatican. And Deacon Mejstrik played an instrumental role in Blessed Stanley first being formally named a martyr for the faith, and later beatified and receiving the title “Blessed,” a natural step on the way toward sainthood; and then collecting stories of favors attributed to Blessed Stanley’s intercession by the prayerful.
But as those following this arduous process know, identifying the necessary miracle attributed to the intercession of Blessed Stanley, or any prospective saint, involves much scrutiny. And with nearly 100 Americans currently considered for saint status, some dating back centuries, Deacon Mejstrik now joins the rest of those interested in Blessed Stanley’s cause as waiting and watching, as he steps away from this role, focusing more intently on his role as director of permanent diaconate in the archdiocese.
“Miracles come from God,” Deacon Mejstrik said. “So it’s not in my time, it’s in God’s time.
“I think our role is to be attentive and promoting and recognizing. As Archbishop (Paul) Coakley has told me many times, when the miracle occurs, we will know it. And I believe that.”
Back in 2007, Deacon Mejstrik knew little of then-Father Rother. He said he quickly grew to admire him as a man, with a work ethic formed on the farm; as a man of God who lived the Faith; as a pastor who touched and cared or his people; and or his courage, returning to Guatemala under clear threat of death, ultimately dying for his faith.
“It takes somebody who resides in their faith to do that,” Deacon Mejstrik said. “It takes somebody who is strong – and Blessed Stanley was strong, not only intellectually, but physically and faith-wise.
“And because of that, he could give his life for his faith. He could do something that, I think, isn’t for everybody.”
Deacon Mejstrik has witnessed the fruits of Blessed Stanley’s faith. In Guatemala, where he is still revered 35 years after his assassination. And in those in the U.S., who ask for his intercession in their own lives.
“I think Blessed Stanley has helped and interceded with God and impacted the lives of far more people than I will ever know,” Deacon Mejstrik said. “And that’s the beauty of God’s plan of holy men and women who lived lives of heroic virtue, and even in death continue to impact lives.”
John Helsley is editor of the Sooner Catholic.
Photo: (Above) Dcn. Norm Mejstrik at the diaconate ordination on Nov. 7, 2025, at the Bl. Stanley Rother Shrine in Oklahoma City. Photo Chris Porter/Sooner Catholic.
Dcn. Norm Mejstrik and Archbishop Coakley at the groundbreaking for the Bl. Stanley Rother Shrine on Nov. 3, 2019. Photo Tom Maupin.