St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School's seventh-grade students recently embarked on a field trip to Oklahoma City, described as spiritual, patriotic, and educational. On October 23, the students visited two significant sites: the Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine and the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum.

At the shrine, students learned about Blessed Stanley Rother, an Oklahoma farm boy who became a priest and martyr. The visit included a museum tour highlighting his life and a short biography titled "The Ordinary Martyr." Students also explored a church resembling the parish in Guatemala where Rother served and participated in Holy Communion at a chapel featuring martyrs' murals.

The afternoon was spent at the Oklahoma City bombing memorial. Many students were unfamiliar with the 1995 tragedy but gained insight through detailed exhibits on the attack, emergency response, investigation, trials, and public reaction. A National Park Service ranger guided them through the outdoor National Memorial and Survivor Tree.

Mary Carter, principal of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School, reflected on the experience: “This pilgrimage was incredibly powerful for our students,” she said. “Although both experiences were drastically different, our students were able to witness the love, sacrifice, and servant leadership of both Blessed Stanley Rother and first responders. Our students were moved and inspired by the selfless acts of these modern heroes.”

Aaron J. Leiker is a middle school language arts teacher at St. Francis of Assisi School in Wichita.