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World at Prayer blog
Reflections of Family and Faith
"The family that prays together stays together." - Venerable Patrick Peyton
From its origins in nineteenth-century France, the Congregation of Holy Cross has expanded around the world, bringing the good news of Jesus Christ to the farthest reaches of the planet in its mission to make God known, loved, and served. As of 2026, the Congregation of Holy Cross has a presence in 17 countries across 6 continents. The process of expansion took place gradually over the course of the community’s 190-year history. Below, in a snapshot, is a list of the countries where Holy Cross serves today, along with the dates of the community’s arrival:
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In this installment of our Holy Cross Heritage month series, we reflect a little more deeply into the life, mission, and spirituality of Blessed Basile Moreau, founder of the Congregation of Holy Cross, particularly his vision on unity. Moreau's legacy continues to shape Catholic education, parish life, missionary work, and the formation of families rooted in faith. Moreau was an extraordinary figure of the nineteenth‑century French Church—an educator, a spiritual leader, and a visionary who believed deeply in the power of unity, love, and the renewal of society through faith. As we shared in an earlier reflection, Basile Moreau was born in 1799 in Laigné‑en‑Belin, a rural region of northwestern France marked by its resilience and deep Catholic identity, especially during the persecution of the French Revolution. The ninth of fourteen children, Moreau grew up in a tightly knit family whose hardships and fidelity helped form his lifelong conviction that the family is the “domestic Church,” the seedbed of unity, holiness, and Christian virtue.
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Brief and contemporary inspiration focused on hope and family prayer will be delivered to your inbox! Articles include live video, written word, and links to resources that will lead you and your family deeper into faith.
The history of the Congregation of Holy Cross is rich and fascinating, filled with incredible stories of faith, courage, perseverance, and adventure in the face of great challenges to both the community and the world. As an apostolic congregation, Holy Cross has taken an active role in global affairs since the very beginning; in the nearly 190 years since its formation, the men and women of Holy Cross have been present for many of the most pivotal moments of the last three centuries.
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Venerable Patrick Peyton | how to pray the rosary | rosary novena
Here on the final day of our Family Rosary Novena celebrating the Anniversary of Venerable Patrick Peyton's Birth, we meditate once again on the Joyful Mysteries. Throughout these nine days, we’ve prayed with faith and hope for the intercession of Father Peyton and Our Blessed Mother, offering our many prayer petitions. We've learned, like Mary, to trust in God's perfect plan for our lives, even when that differs from what we may have imagined for ourselves and our families. Intercessory prayer fortifies our prayers when we pray with those whom the Church declares to be in heaven—Venerables, Blesseds, and Saints. This Family Rosary Novena has helped us see even more clearly how seeking heavenly guidance and assistance through intercessory prayer—especially when you feel most helpless—is a tremendous gift that our Catholic faith offers. Let us conclude our praying of this Family Rosary Novena through the intercession of Venerable Patrick Peyton and our Blessed Mother, continuing to pray for a family miracle. This is where miracles begin! Read on for today's reflection and Rosary prayers.
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Venerable Patrick Peyton | how to pray the rosary | rosary novena
As we pray the Sorrowful Mysteries, we learn from Mary how to walk with Jesus on His way to Calvary. Even when His closest friends abandoned Him, Jesus endured unimaginable suffering because of the strength of His love—a love He longed to share with His disciples. Mary shows us how to make our hearts and homes places where that love is welcomed and shared. In moments of pain or helplessness, we can turn to her and trust that she will lead us closer to Jesus. Join us in praying this Family Rosary Novena through the intercession of Venerable Patrick Peyton and our Blessed Mother, praying for a family miracle. This is where miracles begin! Read on for today's reflection and Rosary prayers.
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Venerable Patrick Peyton | how to pray the rosary | rosary novena
Father Peyton believed in the power of families praying together, knowing that daily prayer, especially the Rosary, strengthens our relationship with our Blessed Mother and her Son, Jesus—forming us as His disciples. In the Luminous Mysteries, we reflect on Jesus’ public ministry and learn that true discipleship, though marked by the Cross, always leads to the glory of the Resurrection. We need not fear the cost, because Jesus walks before us and Mary, His Mother and ours, accompanies us every step of the way. Join us in praying a Family Rosary Novena through the intercession of Venerable Patrick Peyton, asking for a miracle for your family and trusting in God’s unfailing love. This is where miracles begin! Read on for today's reflection and Rosary prayers.
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