Fr. Scott Boeckman receives Human Rights Award

As a Catholic priest serving the southside of Oklahoma City, Father Scott Boeckman promotes the human desire that “all may be one,” in communion with one another.

Father Boeckman not only promotes that vision, but he also impacts it.

“Jesus told his disciples his deepest desire in his heart: ‘they may be one, even as we are one.’ But if not only Jesus’ desire, is all our desire,” said Father Boeckman.

The Oklahoma Universal Human Rights Alliance, in collaboration with the United Nations Association of Oklahoma City, recently recognized 20 people for their efforts in maintaining and upholding human rights established in 1948.

Among them: Father Boeckman.

Parochial vicar at Little Flower Catholic Church in Oklahoma City, Father Boeckman received a Human Rights Award in a ceremony held Dec. 6 at the Oklahoma State House of Representatives.
 
Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights declares the “freedom of thought, conscience and religion; … and manifest it either alone or in community with others and in public or private places.” Father Boeckman received his award as an outstanding spiritual leader and selfless servant to the Hispanic community.

It was four years ago, at Saint James Catholic Church in Oklahoma City, when Father Boeckman had this motivation, an idea that he shared with the people which immediately resonated in their hearts.

From that idea emerged Emaús, a program to help people to get to know Jesus and the Church better. Emaús began in two steps: a three-day retreat, most recently held at Saint Gregory's Abbey in Shawnee, and then small group meetings throughout the year.

For people who may feel alone, disconnected and unsure of how to keep Jesus in their hearts, it is precisely at this point that Emaús becomes a path in their lives, offering them comfort in the Lord.

Father Boeckman explained that Emaús allows people to connect, to transform their lives.
 
“They just kept coming together, talking about Jesus, and they're able to share their heights and their lows of their life,” he said.

For Hilda De Leon Xavier, director of Holy Angels Education Center and promoter of his nomination, Fr. Boeckman is characterized by his humility, his ability to listen and the passion with which he speaks to everyone about his mission.

Through his work with the Emaús program, De Leon said, “I have witnessed how he transforms lives.

“I follow his work on social media and constantly see how he accompanies people, visits the sick, offers words of hope and spiritual guidance, and dedicates himself completely to the Catholic community. His way of communicating and connecting with everyone is truly special.

Said Father Boeckman: “I'm so grateful to be a part of a ministry that helps bring healing to those people and so that’s the Emaús.”

For Janet Lejía, who suffered from depression due to personal and family problems, Father Boeckman, showed her a light. He offered her counseling because he was certain that she qualified for an annulment of her marriage.

"I'm sure you're going to receive Jesus into your heart," Lejía said Father Boeckman encouraged her. “It was a very difficult and painful process, but very satisfying because I got rid of all the sins that was troubling me.

“I prayed to Blessed Stanley Rother to put someone in my path to help me, and as I was leaving the shrine, Father Boeckman approached me.”

Neyra Estrada, diagnosed with cancer in 2023, told a similar story of how her life began to change, beginning when she received the Anointing of the Sick and when Father Boeckman asked her, “Do you want me to accompany you through this whole process?”

Estrada, a mother of three, experienced this biggest test of faith and with his support, her love for God grew stronger.

After a silent retreat, upon returning home, she said, “I already began to notice some changes. It was an extraordinary experience, and now, believing in the God’s grace and after surgery, the doctors can no longer find any trace of the disease in my body.”

Father Boeckman said he credits his connection with the Hispanic community for the strength he finds in God.

“I know that God placed that in my heart because there's nothing that I enjoy more than doing that, I don't want to go anywhere else,” he said. “Pope Francis said about priests: ‘… shepherds with 'the smell of the sheep' … people capable of living, of laughing and crying with your people, in a word, of communicating with them.’ 

“I'm having the time of my life and I love it.”

Bella Gutiérrez is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.

Photo: Fr. Boeckman with a group of Emaús members at the Oklahoma State Capitol. Photo Bella Gutiérrez/Sooner Catholic.