Anniversary of 'Rosary priest' noted in 2009

Holy Cross Family Ministries is marking the 100th anniversary of the birth of its founder, Rev. Patrick Peyton, CSC, with a year-long celebration themed, "Honor his memory. Continue his mission."

In the 1940s, the Albany-based Father Peyton founded Family Rosary and Family Theater Productions, two apostolates devoted to promoting the Rosary worldwide. Holy Cross Family Ministries, the umbrella organization for those ministries now based in Easton, Mass., still furthers the priest's work under the sponsorship of his religious order, the Congregation of the Holy Cross. 

Father Peyton himself is most famous for coining the adages, "The family that prays together stays together," and "A world at prayer is a world at peace." In his lifetime, he produced more than 600 radio and television programs and conducted worldwide "Rosary rallies," encouraging family prayer and particularly recitation of the Rosary by families.

Father Peyton died in 1992. Today, the priest's cause for sainthood is under review; the title "Servant of God," an initial step, was bestowed on him in 2001.

To kick off the observance of the anniversary-year celebration, Holy Cross Family Ministries is asking families to pray a Rosary novena together in their homes Jan. 1-9 or anytime thereafter.

Rosary rallies, holy hours, Masses, children's art contests and other celebrations during 2009 are also being planned by offices of Holy Cross Family Ministries around the world. To learn more, contact the Albany office at 453-3082, go to www.hcfm.org or call 1-800-299-PRAY.

(1/1/09)