A MESSAGE FROM the president

As Mary "kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart” (Luke 2:19) after the birth of her Son Jesus, Catholic Mothers around the world share a similar experience through the cultivation of faith and prayer in their homes 

During his life on Earth, Venerable Patrick Peyton spoke emphatically about the power of prayer, particularly the Rosary prayed as a family.  

Family Rosary USA designed our digital evangelization goals to help families incorporate prayer into their personal lives. We understand that comfort with daily individual prayer is a crucial first step for families to build a family prayer routine. The team is working on innovative digital methods and resources to facilitate this. One small first step is to include more inspirational quotes on our social media outlets.

Jack Benny is host for “The Hound of Heaven,” about Catholic poet Francis Thompson, for the Family Theater Productions Classic Radio Podcast. (click below)

A man, orphaned as a child, connects with another orphan, in “Little Lost Shepherd,” part of the Family Theater Productions Classic Radio Podcast. (click below)

Produced by Venerable Patrick Peyton in Los Angeles, Family Theater radio plays launched on the nationwide Mutual Broadcasting System in February 1947 and were some of the longest-running radio shows, continuing to be broadcast until 1968. The radio plays, meant to promote family unity and prayer, are still relevant today.

Father Peyton managed to enlist top writers and musical talent, along with many of the best-known actors and actresses of the Golden Age of Hollywood. They include Bing Crosby, Loretta Young, Gregory Peck, James Stewart, Maureen O’Hara, Bob Hope, Lucille Ball, Raymond Burr, Louise Beavers, Charlton Heston, Ann Blyth, Shirley Temple, Jack Benny, Gene Kelly, Natalie Wood, and Betty White.

Intended for a mainstream audience, the radio plays – comedy and drama – emphasized family values and Catholic principles, but within the context of entertainment.

The three podcasts chosen here all reflect the theme of the effect of prayer on a family: “Little Lost Shepherd” (1948), with Rory Calhoun, Cathy O’Donnell, and Gary Gray; “God and a Red Scooter” (1948), with Gregory Peck and Robert Mitchum; and “The Hound of Heaven” (1949), about Catholic poet Francis Thompson, with Dan O’Herlihy, Rod O’Connor, and Jack Benny.

Many of the broadcasts have been remastered, with new introductions by Family Theater Productions National Director Father David Guffey, C.S.C., and are available for free on Apple Podcast and Soundcloud. Links to listen can be found at FamilyTheater.org/ClassicRadio.

In my role as Vice Postulator and Guild Director for the Cause of Sainthood of Venerable Patrick Peyton, I am blessed to receive stories of faith rewarded. With each instance, I am reminded of how God works through each of us in ways that are often incremental in nature. A longtime member of the Father Peyton Prayer Guild, Mr. Bill Fleming, shared the following.

Family Rosary USA builds upon the joy of marriage with fellowship, following Valentine’s Date Night, hosted at The Father Peyton Center.

Harold Ziegler, Jr., owner of the family-run Ziegler Tire in Canton, OH, and retired Colonel of the U.S. Army, is a longtime friend and benefactor of Holy Cross Family Ministries. A man of great faith, his generosity over the past 31 years has helped families worldwide flourish in their Catholic faith through his support of HCFM ministry programs, Ministry Centers, and faith-based media. In addition to HCFM, he supports many Catholic charities, always honoring God and His Blessed Mother, upholding the faith he received from his dear parents.

Testimonies from around the world reflect our mission to inspire, promote, and foster the prayer life and spiritual well-being of families throughout the world. We help families pray.

"A World at Prayer is a World at Peace."
~ Venerable Patrick Peyton

Read more for inspiring testimonies.