Patrick Peyton: An Apostle of the Rosary
Little-known abroad but very famous in America, Patrick Peyton is a 20th-century priest with a great desire to bring as many souls as possible to the Blessed Virgin through the prayer of the rosary. He initiated the rosary rallies, which became very popular across America. Dynamic and full of big dreams, he is an example to pray to and to make known around us. He is one of the personalities we can associate with the saints of the rosary.
The Life of Father Patrick Peyton
Irish Childhood
Patrick Peyton was born on a farm in Ireland on January 9, 1909. He was the sixth child of his parents. He grew up in a very Christian family, surrounded by his eight siblings. Together, they prayed the rosary as a family every evening. From childhood until the age of 17, Patrick nurtured the desire to become a priest. Unfortunately, due to a lack of knowledge, he was rejected by various religious congregations, including the Capuchins in Italy. He buried this dream deep in his heart and decided to go to America to become a millionaire. He managed to convince his father to accept this choice, as he had family in Pennsylvania. He promised his father never to forget the faith.
In America... Serving Christ
Patrick left with his brother Tom, and they reunited with their sister. Patrick looked for a job and eventually was hired by the bishop as a sacristan for the cathedral. Little by little, while serving God in the cathedral, his dream of becoming a priest resurfaced. His brother Tom also wanted to enter the priesthood. The bishop helped them. They both joined the Congregation of Holy Cross.
During his studies, Patrick fell ill in 1939. He was diagnosed with tuberculosis. He suffered greatly. The priest accompanying him told him to entrust himself to the Blessed Virgin. He advised him to use the treasure of faith his parents had passed on to him during his childhood. Patrick formed a friendship with the Blessed Virgin, as he later said. He prayed the rosary daily. After following the priest's advice, he was healed the next day. He felt that the Blessed Virgin had healed him.
Patrick was ordained a priest on June 15, 1941. He said: “That day, I gave my heart, my soul, out of love for Mary.”
Full of energy, dreams, and projects, Patrick tirelessly served Christ and the Church in America. By 1990, he was worn out. His health deteriorated. He retired to the Little Sisters of the Poor, continuing a life of prayer. On the evening of June 2, 1992, Father Patrick could not finish his rosary. He passed away peacefully on the morning of June 3, 1992. His last words were to the Virgin: “Mary, my Queen, my Mother!”
Spreading the Rosary in America and Beyond
Father Patrick Peyton's dream was to establish the rosary in every family, with a slogan that remains in the memory of Americans: “The family that prays together, stays together.”
Father Peyton's Faith
Since his miraculous healing by the Virgin in 1939, Father Patrick's faith was firmly rooted in his heart again. His trust and friendship with the Mother of Christ continued to grow. He knew that the power of prayer is immense, and he experienced it throughout his life. This is why he wanted to organize rosary rallies to promote this prayer that does so much good.
Until the end of his life with the Little Sisters of the Poor, Father Peyton kept prayer at the center of his days.
The Rosary Rallies
From the beginning of his missions as a priest, Father Patrick wanted to organize rosary rallies. For this, he asked for the contribution of students to create posters and distribute them widely, as well as the prayers of families. On May 13, 1945, he made his first radio broadcast to talk about the rosary. This program broke audience records to the point that Hollywood became very interested in the “Rosary Priest.” Father Peyton went to Hollywood to establish a program. Various projects related to faith were set up in Hollywood. The great Hollywood actors were fascinated by this priest full of faith and energy.
The first rosary rally was organized in Canada in 1948. Later, rallies were held all over America, both in the north and the south, such as in San Francisco or Rio de Janeiro, with 1.5 million people. In Europe, Africa, and Asia, rallies were also organized to promote the beautiful prayer of the rosary.
How to Pray to Father Peyton?
Declared venerable in 2017 by Pope Francis, Father Patrick Peyton waits for us to entrust our prayer intentions to him and to ask for his intercession. We can also ask for a miracle for his beatification through this beautiful prayer:
“God our Father, Your Kingdom shines throughout creation, and the power of Your Grace is revealed in the lives of Your Saints, who inspire us to believe in You more firmly and to serve our brothers more generously. In a unique way, You blessed the life and work of Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C., Your Servant, and a fervent apostle of Mary, Queen of the Holy Rosary and our Mother. Through his intercession, we ask for this favor (...) For Your honor and glory. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen."
Following Father Peyton, Pray to the Virgin on Hozana
Father Peyton had great trust in the Virgin, and she held an important place in his life. On Hozana, you can find
and discover how she can inspire us daily. You can also participate in to ask for a conversion, healing, or simply her help... The rosary held a special place in Father Patrick Peyton's life, and this community gives you . You can also download the Rosario app, created by Hozana, to pray the rosary alone or in community.