The Family That Prays Together Stays Together

Servant of God Father Patrick Peyton, CSC, began his ministry over 70 years ago with the goal of building family unity through daily prayer of the Rosary. He was inspired by his own father, who more than a century ago started praying the Rosary with his family in their poor but spiritually rich home.

During the course of his ministry, which would span half a century, Father Peyton would touch the lives of countless individuals with his kindness, sincerity and devotion to Mary. Over the years, he would advocate for families by preaching two powerful and memorable sayings: “The Family That Prays Together Stays Together” and “A World at Prayer is a World at Peace.”

That became the foundation for Father Peyton (1909-92), also known as the “Rosary Priest,” who went on to lead millions in prayer at rallies around the world and created a ministry that would use radio, movies, television, billboards and more to spread his message of support for families. His efforts to serve the faithful continue today through his cornerstone mission, Family Rosary, (founded in 1942), and Family Theater Productions (founded in 1947), as well as the Father Peyton Family Institute, all serving Jesus Christ and His Church throughout the world by promoting and supporting the spiritual well-being of the family.

The family that prays together stays together.

Father Peyton devoted his life to Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and praying her Rosary. He became gravely ill as a seminarian and the doctors had no hope of recovery. So he did as his father, John, had taught him back home in Ireland. The result changed his life and the lives of millions of other people.

“Father Peyton was a seminarian, studying at the University of Notre Dame, when he was stricken with tuberculosis,” said Father John Phalen, CSC, President of Holy Cross Family Ministries. “He prayed his Rosary to the Blessed Mother and made a miraculous recovery. From that moment, he knew he was to be the one to carry out her apostolate, her ministry to bring families together for Rosary prayer, just as his family had done.”

A World at Prayer is a World at Peace.

Armed with that conviction, Father Peyton went on to become one of the most influential American Catholic priests of the 20th century. He was a media pioneer, using the entertainment industry to further his mission of family Rosary prayer in honor of Mary and her son Jesus. The programs he produced featured some of Hollywood’s biggest stars, Bing Crosby, Loretta Young, Grace Kelly, James Cagney, Bob Hope and many more, while his Family Rosary Crusades were attended by millions of people around the globe.



The Rosary prayer is truly the essence of Christian devotion. No other prayer is like it and no other prayer can unite families together and with God. This ministry is dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary. We entrust all the intentions we receive to her powerful intercession and ask Father Peyton to intercede for us. Our Lady of the Rosary, pray for us. Servant of God, Father Patrick Peyton, CSC, pray for us.