Perhaps the most recognizable contribution Servant of God Fr. Patrick Peyton, CSC gave to this generation is the value of family prayer as summed up by his battlecry: The Family that Prays Together Stays Together; A World At Prayer is A World at Peace. This spells the core of the commemoration of the Centenary of his birthday this year.
Fr. Peyton's 100th birthday kicked-off 2009 with a Rosary Novena from January 1 - 9, with families from different parts of the world coming together to pray with the entire Family Rosary offices, HCFM and the Congregation of Holy Cross.
The FRC office in the Philippines culminated the Rosary Novena with a Holy Mass with Fr. Peyton's friends and supporters and the FRC Units. Bataan Bishop and FRC
advocate Most Rev. Soc Villegas led the Eucharistic Celebration. Joining the Bishop are Fr. Roque D' Costa, CSC, FRC's current Spiritual Director, Fr. Ronald Manabat and Fr. Sid Marinay.
Messages from HCFM President Fr. John Phalan, CSC and Family Rosary International Director Fr. Jim Phalen, CSC which stressed the urgency to bring back prayer in the home and understand the value of the rosary were read by Fr. Roque, CSC and Mrs. Gennie Jota, former Executive Director of FRC - Philippines.
A short video was shown to trace Fr. Peyton's life and mission and link it to the challenge to continue what he started back in the early 1940s.
A simple lunch shared by the FRC board members, staff and Units capped the event.
HCFM and FRC will hold other activities to strengthen family relations, deepen spirituality and prayer life of the family during the next months.
