Reflecting upon the life of St. Joseph, I found myself seeing common traits with John Peyton such as fidelity, humility, courage, steadfastness, obedience to God, and love of God, and trust in divine providence. Both men’s relationship with God shaped their vocation as husbands and fathers.

In his Apostolic Letter, Patris Corde (With a Father’s Heart), Pope Francis cites that “Saint Joseph was called by God to serve the person and mission of Jesus directly through the exercise of his fatherhood ...” Every father can draw inspiration and examples from St. Joseph’s life.

John Peyton is such a father who, like St. Joseph, was a mature man; John was 42 years old at the birth of Patrick Peyton. In addition, he, like St. Joseph, displayed a trust in divine providence especially, during ill health that led to financial struggles. And yet, John Peyton was an example of faith, hope, and charity for his family.

Father Peyton fondly remembers his mother calling their family each evening to pray the Rosary and then hearing his father say the foundational words, “I believe in God …” as he began the Apostles’ Creed. To listen to a father night after night confess his belief in God—no matter how difficult the day, week, or year—is irreplaceable. Each child looks to their parents for protection, food, shelter, other material needs, and of course, love. St. Joseph’s example of fulfilling these needs for Mary and Jesus must have resonated with John Peyton, who, like St. Joseph, was devoted to his wife and children.

Pope Francis writes God trusted in St. Joseph’s creative courage. He trusted him to find a place for Jesus to be born when there was no room available. He trusted him to protect Jesus from Herod, who wanted to kill him. Likewise, God trusted John Peyton to protect his family, including their faith. As young men, Patrick and his brother Tom wished to travel to the United States to find work; with a father’s love, John would give his blessing under one condition. “Go down on your knees and make me a promise here before the picture of the Sacred Heart. From now on there will be nobody but yourself to advise you and to decide for you. But your first responsibility will always be to save your soul, and so I want you to promise to be faithful to Our Lord in America.”

Being a father isn’t easy today. Nor was it in the time of the Holy Family. However, as we celebrate this Year of St. Joseph, and as we look at the example of John Peyton, fathers can draw inspiration. Likewise, wives and children can pray for and encourage husbands and fathers to live to the fullest extent their vocation as men of faith.

God has given each one of us a role in salvation history. Like St. Joseph, John Peyton, and countless other fathers, God has called all fathers to live a life of holiness and virtue, a life that is essential to their family and that will yield countless blessings. Just look at what one older father, with illness and financial struggles, could share with the world through his son, Venerable Patrick Peyton. Let us pray for our fathers and men who will become fathers with faith, hope, and love for God and their families.

In Jesus and Mary,

Father David S. Marcham

Vice Postulator and Guild Director