The Rev. Stanley Rother [Photo provided] The date and location of the beatification ceremony for the late Rev. Stanley Rother has been set, The Oklahoman has learned.

The much-anticipated ceremony will be at 10 a.m. Sept. 23 at the Cox Convention Center, the Most. Rev. Paul S. Coakley, archbishop of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, said Monday.

Coakley said an organization committee has already begun doing some of the preliminary work necessary in the planning of the event. He also said the pope will be represented by Cardinal Angelo Amato, who, as the pope’s delegate, will officiate at the beatification ceremony.

Dec. 2, 2016, Pope Francis signed a decree declaring Rother a martyr and he became the first U.S. born martyr and priest to receive such recognition.