75th Anniversary Rosary Rally
In the fall of 1949, the first Rosary Rally in the United States was held in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Organized by “the rosary priest” Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C., the Rosary Rally was an effort to re-ignite the untold benefits of devotion to the rosary and prayer to our Blessed Mother. Nearly 50,000 people gathered to pray the rosary on this special day.
Father Patrick Peyton devoted his priestly life to spreading devotion to Mary and encouraging family prayer, especially the rosary. He used radio, television, and film, and 540 Rosary Rallies worldwide to accomplish his mission.
Born in 1909 in Ireland to a devout Catholic family, a young Peyton immigrated to the United States and served as the sexton (janitor) at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Scranton before he answered the call to the priesthood. From these humble beginnings, Fr. Peyton would move to Hollywood and go on to reach ten million people with his message of the importance of Family Rosary Prayer. Celebrities like Loretta Young, Lucille Ball, Bing Crosby, Jimmy Stewart, and Rosalind Russell came to see Fr. Peyton as their chaplain.
Today, Father Peyton’s messages that “The Family That Prays Together Stays Together” and “A World at Prayer is a World at Peace” are still well known around the world. His Cause for Sainthood was officially opened in 2001 and he is currently named Venerable.
75 years after the first rally, the Diocese of Scranton commemorates the ministry and mission of Fr. Peyton by holding a Rosary Crusade, beginning in October, the month of the rosary. Parishes will be invited to participate in a variety of ways.
How can my parish participate?
Fr. Patrick Peyton – A Champion for Family Prayer
Venerable Peyton’s Impactful Life
A Brief History of the Rosary: Ever Ancient, Ever New
Rosary Crusade Promotional Materials
Rosary Crusade Social Media Graphics