A Patron Saint for Families

[Sandra]

Father Patrick Peyton of the Congregation of Holy Cross

A Patron Saint for Families

 - Judi McLeod  Wednesday, August 10, 2011

For true believers, of which there are still very many, the words of Father John Phalen, in North Easton, Mass define our troubled times: “The United States is very much in need of strengthening family life.  The United States needs a saint for families.” (National Catholic Register, Aug. 9, 2011).

“June 28 was the closing liturgy in Albany, N.Y., for the tribunal reviewing the possible medical miracle for the beatification of Father Patrick Peyton of the Congregation of Holy Cross.

“The miracle­the cure of a man hospitalized with multiple organ failure­is now in Rome.”

Father Peyton’s tireless advocate on earth, Father John Phalen, president of Holy Cross Family Ministries, believes the cause of Father Peyton­a champion for families­is especially important for contemporary America.

Father Peyton, who knelt as a child to pray the Rosary daily with his parents and brothers and sisters in Ireland, went on to champion the cause of families when he came to America. The Peyton family sent two sons to study for the priesthood, and the one called Patrick told anyone within earshot that it was only the answered prayers of the Blessed Virgin who spared him from tuberculosis, which physicians of the day said would never allow him to leave his sick bed.

With undeniable charm and the passion to make good on his cure, Father Peyton successfully lured legends like Bing Crosby, Jimmy Stewart, Lucille Ball and many others to send family centered messages over the airwaves.

On a wing and a prayer, the recovered Irish priest led a life that left indelible two profound internationally recognized mottos through his worldwide crusades:  “The family that prays together stays together” and “A world at prayer is a world at peace”.

Back in the 1940s when radio was not long out of its infancy, radio airwaves were Fr. Peyton’s Internet.

Before he was laid to rest in 1992, Father Peyton was internationally recognized as “The Rosary Priest”.

“Father Phalen explains that with his family and Rosary messages, Father Peyton used one to strengthen the other: “That was the center of his ministry­his immediate message all the time.  To have his intercession for that as a saint would be just wonderful.””

Founding Family Theatre Productions is still going strong to this very day.  In the end Father Peyton had produced some 600 radio and TV programs with leading actors and celebrities of the day.

Given the economic and political upheaval of the world today, the beatification of the humble priest who put Mary’s Rosary on public world display could not come at a better time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nn8uUTYJVAM&feature=player_embedded

http://canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/39319