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World at Prayer blog
Reflections of Family and Faith
"The family that prays together stays together." - Venerable Patrick Peyton
Holy lives of inspiration | Why pray?
I still vividly remember the journey of becoming a priest. As a teenager, applying to the seminary felt like trying to get into the most exclusive club—only with more paperwork and no party. There were workshops, psychological tests, preliminary interviews, letters of recommendation, and a medical fitness certificate. Since I belonged to the Syro-Malabar Rite but was joining a Latin Rite congregation, I needed a special permission letter from my bishop. When I was finally accepted, it was only the beginning of a long formation—14 and a half years, to be exact! It involved undergrad studies, philosophy, theology, spiritual and pastoral formation, and mission work, all designed to prepare me for the priesthood. After successfully navigating it all, I was finally ordained. Now, compare that to the disciples in today’s Gospel. Jesus calls Simon, Andrew, James, and John as they simply go about their daily routines—casting nets, mending them—and they immediately leave everything to follow Him. No interviews, no recommendation letters, no years of discernment. Just an instant, wholehearted “yes.”
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Venerable Patrick Peyton | family prayer | rosary novena
We continue praying Family Rosary Novena for Family Unity and Peace Celebrating Venerable Patrick Peyton’s Anniversary of Birth with the Family Rosary community from around the world. Remembering, as we pray, Father Peyton's timeless message to all families: "The Family That Prays Together Stays Together." The Rosary is a powerful devotion that includes many of the Church's prayers—Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be. Our annual novena incorporates sacred scripture for each mystery to enrich your prayer experience. You can find all you need in our downloadable Rosary Novena booklet, including instructions on how to pray the Rosary, all the prayers needed for the Rosary, and the novena reflections. Read on for today's reflection and prayers.
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Venerable Patrick Peyton | family prayer | rosary novena
The annual Family Rosary Novena for Family Unity and Peace Celebrating Venerable Patrick Peyton’s Anniversary of Birth is your opportunity to seek Father Peyton and Our Blessed Mother’s intercession for your family’s needs in 2025. Join families and individuals around the world praying together to seek unity in families and peace in the world this year. The free downloadable Novena booklet will guide you in a few minutes of prayer each day for a spirit-filled beginning to our New Year. Father Peyton understood that the Rosary is a deep and meaningful prayer practice that would bless the families that prayed it. If this is your family's first time praying together, don't stress about how much you pray; instead, cherish this special moment, adjusting the amount of the Rosary you pray to best fit your family. Remember, there is no wrong way to pray! Read on for today's reflection and prayers.
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Venerable Patrick Peyton | family prayer | rosary novena
Please join our community around the world in praying the Family Rosary Novena for Family Unity and Peace Celebrating Venerable Patrick Peyton’s Anniversary of Birth for your family and all families. Remembering, as we pray, Father Peyton's timeless message to all families: "The Family That Prays Together Stays Together." Our free downloadable Rosary Novena booklet includes instructions on how to pray the Rosary, along with all the prayers needed for the Rosary and the novena reflections. The Rosary is a powerful devotion that includes many of the Church's prayers—Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be. Our annual novena incorporates sacred scripture for each mystery to enrich your prayer experience. Read on for today's reflection and prayers.
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Healing the family | Strengthening family unity
A traveler came to an old inn and knocked on the door with the iron knocker. No answer. He tried again; only a hollow echo. But he knew people were inside; he had seen them in the window. So, with growing anger, he grabbed the knocker and banged it 10-15 times. Then he heard footsteps approaching and saw a face of an older woman out of the latch hole who timidly inquired whether the good gentleman wanted to come in. "Did I want to come in?" he shouted. "Anyone who knocked as I did must have."
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Venerable Patrick Peyton | family prayer | rosary novena
The annual Family Rosary Novena for Family Unity and Peace Celebrating Venerable Patrick Peyton’s Anniversary of Birth, January 9–17, is a wonderful opportunity to seek Father Peyton and Our Blessed Mother’s intercession. Family Rosary is dedicated every day to inspiring, promoting, and fostering the spiritual well-being of families throughout the world—including yours! Families face many challenges; just navigating everyday life requires daily prayer. Praying the Rosary as a family is a powerful practice we hope your family will embrace. We believe that participating in this Rosary Novena is a wonderful way to start the new year and help you establish a routine of daily prayer. Our free downloadable Rosary Novena booklet includes all instructions and prayers. Keep in mind that there's no wrong way to pray. You might begin with just one or two Rosary prayers, gradually adding a decade each day. Over time, it will become a quiet, peaceful part of the day that you and your family will look forward to. Read on for today's reflection and prayers.
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