14 Facts About Patrick Peyton

Patrick Peyton, CSC, known as "the Rosary priest", was an Irish-born Catholic priest of the Congregation of Holy Cross, and founder of the Family Rosary Crusade.

Patrick Peyton was a popular and charismatic figure in Latin America and the Philippines, where he promoted the rosary and was known for his strong Irish accent.

Patrick Peyton was the sixth in a profoundly religious family of five girls and four boys living in a small cottage on a 14-acre stony farmland near the foot of the Ox Mountains.

Patrick Peyton took the job with initial hesitation, but his daily presence at the cathedral brought back the calling for a vocation, and he finally decided to pursue the priesthood.

Patrick Peyton credited Cornelius Hagerty, a professor of ethics, as the one who provided him with counseling.

Father Cornelius Hagerty was influential in this stage of Patrick Peyton's life, encouraging the young seminarian to seek the Blessed Virgin Mary's help.

Patrick Peyton immediately packed his bags and left for Washington, DC, to complete his theology studies and take his final vows.

Patrick Peyton was given very light duties following the completion of his theological studies.

Patrick Peyton started sending letters to bishops, the Catholic laity, and other groups promoting the importance of families praying the rosary as the war raged on.

Patrick Peyton conducted his first American rosary crusade on the grounds of St Ann's Monastery in Scranton in 1949.

Patrick Peyton died on 3 June 1992, holding a rosary in a small room at the Little Sisters of the Poor Jeanne Jugan Residence in San Pedro, California.

Patrick Peyton's remains were brought to the Holy Cross Cemetery on the grounds of Stonehill College in Easton, Massachusetts.

Patrick Peyton encouraged many businesses to make and sell large amounts of Rosaries for distribution, which he gave freely to impoverished Filipinos living in the slums.

Cardinal Sean Patrick O'Malley announced a formal declaration, opening the cause for beatification of Father Peyton on 1 June 2001, a few days after receiving approval from the Vatican's Congregation for the Causes of the Saints.