Atticus Shaffer | Charisms of Holy Cross
I have had the opportunity to see some of Father Patrick Peyton’s work schedules/itineraries. They reveal an intense succession of mission events and media production that required him to move around the globe as most of us move around our local cities! I myself have had to travel much in service of our international mission and I know what it’s like. When I look at his exhausting schedules, it’s hard to imagine how he sustained it for so many years, while, at the same time he maintained a life of deep and intimate prayer! Father Peyton was totally committed and focused on his mission of Family Prayer of the Rosary.
He showed himself to be model son of Blessed Basil Moreau, founder of the Congregation of Holy Cross. Together they demonstrate the virtue of ZEAL for Holy Cross Religious: zeal in prayer and in mission!
However, look deeper to see that their ZEAL is for GOD, and for DOING GOD’S WILL! Father Moreau said, “THAT GOD BE KNOWN, LOVED AND SERVED.”
That is a call that we all share, each according to his or her own vocation. If you are married with 4 young kids, it is not your vocation to live like a monk in formal prayer several hours a day. Zeal in your vocation is that the love of Jesus be shared and lived in your family, and that together you sincerely try to do God’s will. Your vocation is no less important than that of the Pope!
Live your vocation and your life with zeal and joy, however the Lord may shape it all for you, and you too will be the light for the world in Him.
This concludes this 10-week series of reflections on our Holy Cross Charisms and Father Peyton’s mission. Thanks for reading and listening. May “God be known, loved and served”.
Our Lady of the Rosary, pray for us!
Father Jim Phalan, C.S.C
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