All For Her - The Autobiography of Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C. - Revised Edition

by Patrick Peyton C.S.C.

On December 18, 2017, Pope Francis declared that Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C., lived a life of heroic virtue and gave him the title “venerable,” marking another step closer to sainthood for the “Rosary Priest.” This new edition of Peyton’s biography tells the story of his life and dedication to the Blessed Mother as he discerned his vocation, overcame the obstacles of advanced tuberculosis and lack of education, and became a priest who eventually preached to more than 28 million people worldwide, worked with Hollywood stars, and founded Family Rosary and Family Theater Productions. This new edition of Peyton’s autobiography—originally published in 1967 and reissued in a revised edition in 1997—includes black-and-white photos and a new foreword by Holy Cross Family Ministries president Fr. Willy Raymond, C.S.C., reflecting on Peyton’s legacy as a saint for family prayer and his cause for canonization. Meet one of the newest candidates for a priest who was formed by his own family’s Rosary devotion—and his formation as a Holy Cross priest—to promote peace and unity across the globe through family prayer. Peyton—probably best known for the inspirational phrases “the family that prays together stays together” and “a world at prayer is a world at peace”—encouraged family prayer and devotion to the Rosary throughout his ministry. In his autobiography, the Rosary Priest reflects on his journey from a farm boy in Western Ireland to one of the most effective missionaries of the modern age. In All for Her Peyton describes his travels to America, hoping to become a millionaire and instead finding work as a janitor in the Scranton cathedral, where he realized the call to the priesthood. In 1929, Peyton entered the seminary, but after years of study and training he was diagnosed with advanced tuberculosis. Conventional treatments at the time were not working. He prayed to the Virgin Mary and his health quickly began to improve. In gratitude he committed his vocation to promote devotion to the Blessed Mother and the Rosary. On the day of his ordination as a priest in the Congregation of Holy Cross, Peyton said, “I gave my heart and soul in love to Mary. I promised her all the merit of my priesthood until death. The merit and glory of every action I would ever perform would be hers and hers alone.” Peyton immediately began advocating for the practice of family Rosary devotion. He embraced the new media as a means to reach people across the globe, and developed radio and television programs that spread a message of prayer and family unity. He founded Family Theater Productions in 1947. Performers in his productions included such stars of Hollywood’s golden age as Bing Crosby, Grace Kelly, Gregory Peck, and Lucille Ball. Peyton also preached to millions in person, organizing two hundred-sixty Rosary Crusades across the globe. These large rallies included worship, prayer, and benediction. Peyton continued to be active until the 1990s and died in 1992. In 1997, the cause for his canonization was opened. All for Her is part of Ave Maria Press’s Holy Cross series. These books explore and celebrate the history and spiritual vision of the Congregation of Holy Cross, a religious order of priests, brothers, and sisters founded in France in 1837 by Blessed Basil Moreau, C.S.C., who was beatified in 2007. Included in the series are works of biography, spirituality, and devotion.

Genres: Religion

Unknown Binding

First published April 5, 2019

Reviews

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE this book, so inspiring. Fr. Peyton's singular devotion to our Blessed Mother, the promotion of the Holy Rosary, and bringing Souls to Christ is remarkable!

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had only heard of Fr. Peyton in passing before, usually when someone quoted the slogan "the family that prays together, stays together," so I didn't know what to expect when I picked up this book. Fr. Peyton does a masterful job of sharing about his home life as a child in Ireland, his family's incredible devout Catholic faith, and the selflessness that seemed to be a hallmark of the Peyton siblings. As a 21st century millennial raising five kids, I was moved by the type of self-sacrifice that his family demonstrated - it was nothing short of inspiring. Fr. Peyton's miraculous cure from tuberculosis was jaw dropping, too. I love reading about how, as new technologies in radio, film, and tv arose in the second half of the 1900s, Fr. Peyton took advantage of these new types of media to reach the masses and share the Rosary. To be honest, the last third of the book was a little too detailed in some of the strategy details for the Rosary Crusade campaign, and that's the only reason I didn't give this book five stars. All in all, a fascinating little book on Fr. Peyton's life and work to spread devotion to Our lady through the Rosary. I found myself on YouTube afterwards looking up old videos of him speaking just to hear what he sounded like. Good read!

***I wrote this review in exchange for a review copy from NetGalley and was not influenced in any way. This opinion is solely my own.***

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Peyton tells his own life story, from humble beginnings in an impoverished Irish town to the founding and development of Family Rosary and Family Theater Productions. I was struck not only by Peyton's deep faith and his devotion to the Blessed Mother, but also his ability to multitask and get things done long before the internet made instant communication possible. This new edition of Peyton's 1973 autobiography features larger type plus a foreword and epilogue.

[Fr. Edward Looney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal book about a saintly and heroic priest.

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Father Peyton C.S.C. has an amazing life story and is an inspiration. Father Patrick Peyton, pray for us.

[Rocky Parra · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thorough and inspiring biography of Father Patrick Peyton and his legacy of the family rosary.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic! A wonderful and holy life!

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story of Fr. Peyton's youth is interesting. I enjoyed learning how he ends up in Scranton, which is where I live. However, half the book is more like name-dropping and offers very little if you are looking for anything to do with Fr. Peyton's own spirituality.