American Apostle of the Family Rosary: The Life of Patrick J. Peyton, CSC (review)

This valuable book marks the rediscovery of one of the most important American Catholic priests of the 1950's and beyond. Irish-born Father Patrick Peyton (1909–1992), a Holy Cross priest, was persuaded that the Virgin Mary had saved him in his youth from a nearly fatal illness, and he devoted his life to the mission of enhancing family life by regular use of the rosary. His gospel, reflecting his own humility and simplicity, was: "The family that prays together stays together."

Highly intelligent, zealous, and charismatic, Peyton was ordained in 1941. A year later he founded the Family Rosary in Albany, New York. Three years later he conducted the first nationwide Family Rosary Radio program in New York City, in thanksgiving for the end of World War II. In 1947 Father Peyton founded Family Theater Productions in Hollywood and began producing a national weekly dramatic series on the Mutual Radio Network that lasted for more than two decades. Through his magnetic personality, single-mindedness, and personal holiness, Peyton attracted many of Hollywood's major stars to appear on the programs. In 1950, the series went on television. Countless millions were influenced by these consistently uplifting Christian broadcasts. (The close proximity of Christianity, the media, and the state during the 1950's will no doubt astonish many younger readers, there being no pleas at the time to restrict and inhibit the faith of the majority of Americans and pretend that the nation was always neutral toward religion.)

Peyton soon launched family Rosary crusades on an international basis, and his message was proclaimed throughout Europe, Latin America, Australia, Africa, and Asia. An estimated 28 million people were attracted to rosary rallies around the world. Films and devotional crusades continued throughout the 1970's and 1980's. In 1991, two million rosaries were shipped to Russia to aid a campaign underway in that vast nation. Peyton remained highly active until his death a year later. In 2001, Bishop Sean O'Malley opened the Cause for canonization, and his ministry continues to this day from headquarters located in North Easton, Massachusetts.

Father Gribble, a priest of the Congregation of Holy Cross, drew upon an abundance of primary sources while documenting Peyton's rich career. That major Catholic historians have largely ignored this important story until now no doubt largely reflects their lack of interest in "old fashioned" devotional practices such as the rosary and reminders of the great spiritual and material strengths of the Church prior to Vatican Council II. The author's discussion of the involvement between Father Peyton and the Central Intelligence Agency is especially interesting, and so are his frank revelations about the many financial issues surrounding Father Peyton's efforts.

This pathbreaking book will no doubt be the last word on Peyton. It is not a hagiography, but rather a fairly balanced analysis of a man with great strengths and some glaring flaws. Unfortunately, the author is not especially skilled as a writer, and the text lumbers along at a tedious pace that will discourage many readers. A good editor might have helped, eliminating some embarrassing sentences, clichés ("faith practice" is used repeatedly), repetitions, and lengthy quotations, and providing badly needed advice on where to begin new paragraphs. This would have made a better 300-page book.

Over a ministerial career that spanned more than fifty years, Father Patrick J. Peyton collected scores of awards for his films, radio programs, and rallies, and won the respect of Catholics throughout the world. At his wake service, a knowledgeable colleague declared, "Father Pat was unique—he was charismatic—he was seemingly tireless, and in his lifetime, he did more to inspire devotion to Our Lady and the rosary than anyone in history." This biography appears to document that claim, and it is thus of major importance to students of contemporary Catholicism.