Sainthood cause of 'rosary priest' takes next step

Published: 2003-10-13

FALL RIVER, Mass. (CNS) -- Moving the man known worldwide as "the rosary priest" a step closer to canonization, Bishop George W. Coleman of Fall River opened a trial Oct. 1 on the holy life, heroic practice of virtue and reputation for holiness of Holy Cross Father Patrick Peyton. Father Peyton, who died in 1992, is buried in Easton, which is within the Diocese of Fall River. Easton is the home of Holy Cross Family Ministries, founded by Father Peyton, which includes Family Rosary, Family Theater Productions, Father Peyton Family Institute, and Family Rosary International. Known for coining the phrases "The family that prays together, stays together" and "A world at prayer is a world at peace," Father Peyton founded Family Theater Productions in Hollywood in 1947. Through it he produced more than 600 radio and television programs that featured hundreds of movie stars and celebrities, and had more than 10,000 broadcasts. The trial continued the process begun in June 2001 by then-Fall River Bishop Sean P. O'Malley, now archbishop of Boston, who received Vatican permission to open a diocesan inquiry into the sanctity of Father Peyton.

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