Patrick Peyton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids VenerablePatrick Peyton CSC |
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| Priest and Confessor | |
| Born | January 9, 1909 Attymass, County Mayo, Ireland |
| Died | June 3, 1992 (aged 83) San Pedro, California, United States |
| Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church |
Patrick Peyton, also known as "The Rosary Priest", was an Irish-born Catholic priest. He was a member of the Congregation of Holy Cross and started the Family Rosary Crusade. He became famous for the sayings "The family that prays together stays together" and "A world at prayer is a world at peace."
Peyton organized huge prayer events called Rosary rallies in major cities around the world. He used radio, movies, and later television to share his message. Famous people from Hollywood helped him promote his work, which aimed to bring families closer through prayer. He was very popular in Latin America and the Philippines, where he was known for his strong Irish accent.
His journey to becoming a saint began in 2001. On December 18, 2017, Pope Francis declared him Venerable, which is an important step towards sainthood.
Contents
Biography
Early Life in Ireland
Patrick Joseph Peyton was born on January 9, 1909, in Attymass, County Mayo, Ireland. His parents, John and Mary Gillard Peyton, were farmers. Patrick was the sixth of nine children in a very religious family. They lived in a small home on a 14-acre farm. Later, some of his family moved to the United States.
As a young man, Patrick went to school in Bonniconlon, but he sometimes struggled with following rules. Even so, he stayed close to his family and his faith. He thought about becoming a priest, but he first focused on helping his family when his father became too sick to work.
In 1927, his older sisters, who were already in America, invited Patrick and his brother Thomas to join them in Scranton, Pennsylvania. On May 13, 1928, nineteen-year-old Patrick and his brother sailed to the United States.
Starting a New Life in America
After a 10-day trip, the brothers arrived in New York. They then traveled to Pennsylvania and lived with their married sister, Beatrice. She worked as a housekeeper for the state Attorney General. Patrick's sister Nellie had already told Monsignor Paul Kelly of Saint Peter's Cathedral about Patrick's interest in becoming a priest.
In June 1928, Patrick met Monsignor Kelly, who offered him a job as the cathedral's sexton, which was like a janitor. At first, Patrick wasn't sure about the job. However, being at the cathedral every day reminded him of his calling to the priesthood. Monsignor Kelly told Patrick he needed to finish high school before joining the seminary. Both Patrick and his brother Thomas worked at the cathedral while studying.
In 1929, Father Pat Dolan of the Congregation of Holy Cross visited Scranton looking for new seminarians. Patrick and Thomas decided to join the Holy Cross minor seminary in Notre Dame, Indiana. After high school, Patrick was accepted into the Moreau Seminary at the University of Notre Dame in 1932. He studied Philosophy and was drawn to the Holy Cross order because it focused on the Holy Family.
A Special Devotion to Mary
In October 1938, while studying at Catholic University of America, Patrick was diagnosed with tuberculosis, a serious lung illness. He was sent back to Notre Dame for care. A priest named Father Cornelius Hagerty encouraged him to ask for help from the Blessed Virgin Mary. Doctors later found that the illness in his lungs had disappeared.
Feeling better, Patrick quickly returned to Washington, D.C., to finish his studies. On June 15, 1941, Patrick and his brother Thomas were ordained as priests at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart at the University of Notre Dame. They became members of the Congregation of Holy Cross.
A Lifetime of Crusades
After becoming a priest, Father Peyton was given light duties. His first job was in Albany, New York. He began writing letters to bishops and Catholic people, explaining how important it was for families to pray the Rosary, especially during wartime.
Father Peyton was one of the first to use mass media to spread his message. He used radio, films, outdoor ads, and later television. Celebrities and artists helped him reach many people. He also started holding large public rallies where millions of families promised to pray the Rosary together. These rallies became a major part of his work. He believed the Rosary was a powerful tool against ideas that threatened faith and peace.
These Rosary Crusades took Father Peyton all over the world, including Brussels, Belgium, Madrid, Spain, Manila, Philippines, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Lima, Peru, and Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. With the help of an advertising expert, he made the slogan "The family that prays together stays together" famous. In 1954, during a special year for Mary, he brought the Rosary Crusade to Ireland, where about 445,000 people attended his events.
Later Years and Passing
Father Peyton's work in promoting prayer was recognized by the Vatican. His efforts earned him the title "The Rosary Priest."
During his work, some people questioned his missions in Latin America. His Rosary Crusades there received funding from the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). The CIA was interested in stopping political movements that were seen as a threat to freedom and faith in Latin America. This funding was arranged through a connection Father Peyton had with J. Peter Grace, a businessman. The CIA helped decide where some of the crusades would take place. However, the CIA did not influence the content of Father Peyton's message, which was always about promoting family prayer and devotion to Mary.
Some also criticized Father Peyton for living a fancy lifestyle because he worked with Hollywood stars. But he always said he never asked for money directly. Wealthy people simply chose to donate generously to support his mission.
Father Peyton passed away peacefully on June 3, 1992, holding a rosary. He was in a small room at the Little Sisters of the Poor Jeanne Jugan Residence in San Pedro, California. His body was later moved to the Holy Cross Cemetery at Stonehill College in Easton, Massachusetts.
Before he died, Father Peyton was working on what would be his last big Rosary Rally. On December 8, 1992, a Golden Jubilee Celebration of the Family Rosary Crusade was held at Rizal Park in Manila, Philippines. Cardinal Jaime Sin of Manila led the event, and Cardinal Roger Mahony from Los Angeles attended on behalf of Pope John Paul II. Many Filipino Catholics remember Father Peyton for his Sunday TV shows, where he promoted the Rosary and Marian devotion with his famous slogan. He also encouraged businesses to make many rosaries to give away to poor Filipinos.
Legacy
Father Peyton's work continues today through the organizations he founded: Family Rosary, Family Theater, and Family Rosary International. There is also the Father Patrick Peyton Family Institute.
On October 9, 2020, Family Theater Productions released a movie about Father Peyton called Pray: The Story of Patrick Peyton. Father David Guffey, who is part of Father Peyton's religious order, was the executive producer of the film.
Steps Toward Sainthood
On June 1, 2001, Cardinal Seán Patrick O'Malley announced that the process for Father Peyton's sainthood had officially begun. This step allowed the Church to investigate his life and determine his holiness. He was then given the title "Servant of God."
In 2015, a detailed report about his life was sent to the Vatican. Theologians approved his cause on June 1, 2017. Finally, Pope Francis declared him Venerable on December 18, 2017, bringing him closer to sainthood.
See also
In Spanish: Patrick Peyton para niños
