Editor’s note: this is the second of a four-part series by Michelle Iurman, founder and director of Full of Grace Productions, on her “calling” for a major motion film production titled All For Her. Based on the autobiography and heroic life of Venerable (Fr.) Patrick Peyton, C.S.C., whose prayerful slogan was “The Family That Prays Together Stays Together,” the film will feature the famous Rosary priest’s unfailing devotion to the Blessed Mother. This film will include and reveal how the forgotten “Canadian connection” was providential for the fruition of Fr. Peyton’s saintly mission. 

In 1928, Patrick Peyton had convinced his older brother Tom to move with him to Scranton, Penn., since their three older sisters — Beatrice, Mary and Nellie — were already living and working there. 

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Tom was able to secure a job in the coal mines since he was older and hardier than Patrick. Knowing about Patrick’s earlier vocation to the priesthood, Nellie had spoken to Msgr. Paul Kelly, the rector at the cathedral parish, about her younger brother, but Patrick had refused to go and see him. After six weeks of not finding any work, Patrick finally met the monsignor and accepted the position offered as a sexton (caretaker) of the cathedral. All the joy and peace that he used to feel in the little chapel back in Attymass flooded back into his soul as did his vocation to become a priest.

Tom also received a calling to the priesthood, and both brothers joined the Holy Cross Congregation after hearing several members of the order preaching a mission at the cathedral. They soon were accepted as Holy Cross novitiates at Notre Dame University.

In 1938, Patrick was in his second year of theology, but the gruelling pace of his education was taking its toll; Patrick’s frequent episodes of spotting and coughing up blood quickly turned into major hemorrhages. He was diagnosed with an advanced tuberculosis of the right upper lobe of his lung and after a year of failing the standard pneumotherapy treatment (collapsing the diseased lung in order to give it rest), Patrick was languishing.

The only measure suggested by the doctors was a desperate one: a procedure called a thoracoplasty — the removal of some parts of his ribs and breaking and removing several others would hopefully make his shoulder blade fall in and that could force the lung to collapse. Since there was no guarantee that the procedure would be successful except that it would maim him for life, the doctors told Patrick that his choice was to either put himself in their hands or to put his trust in God and in prayer.

Fr. Cornelius Hagerty, Patrick’s philosophy professor, came to see him that late October night and told Patrick that he would start a powerful nine-day Novena of Masses for him. He also told Patrick three important things: that Patrick had faith but that he was not using it as given to him by his family; that people limit what Our Lord and Our Lady can do for them by the extent of their faith; and that Mary could do anything that God could do — the difference was that God wills something and it happens, while Mary prays to God for something and He does it for her as He will never refuse His Mother. 

After this talk, Patrick knew that he would put his trust in God and approach Him through His heavenly Mother to be cured. 

Patrick did have a miraculous cure in 1939 from tuberculosis and received a special dispensation from the Holy Father to be ordained at the same time as his brother in 1941. That day, Fr. Patrick Peyton, C.S.C., felt summoned to give his heart and soul in love to Mary and promised her all the merit of his priesthood until death.

In hindsight, it was ostensibly a God-coincidence that my first job in New York City corresponded to Fr. Peyton’s first job as we were both working in cathedrals; mine was as a cantor at St. Patrick’s Cathedral — and doing the very thing I said I would never do again, church singing. To me, it was indeed the beginning of a summons by God for Our Lady, as I used to pray in her chapel at the back of St. Patrick’s for my “big break.”

As it turned out, one day someone heard me perform at a restaurant and arranged for a huge audition that was the answer to my prayers, or so I thought. I was offered everything, but the offer came at a very high cost to my soul, and went completely against my Roman Catholic faith and upbringing. I knew in my heart that I had to choose God’s way, which would involve the Cross and suffering. I eventually ended up back home where my dear mother became the catalyst for a “calling” even bigger than I expected.

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(Next Week: Marian Paths Cross!)

In 1928, Patrick Peyton had convinced his older brother Tom to move with him to Scranton, Penn., since their three older sisters — Beatrice, Mary and Nellie — were already living and working there. 

Tom was able to secure a job in the coal mines since he was older and hardier than Patrick. Knowing about Patrick’s earlier vocation to the priesthood, Nellie had spoken to Msgr. Paul Kelly, the rector at the cathedral parish, about her younger brother, but Patrick had refused to go and see him. After six weeks of not finding any work, Patrick finally met the monsignor and accepted the position offered as a sexton (caretaker) of the cathedral. All the joy and peace that he used to feel in the little chapel back in Attymass flooded back into his soul as did his vocation to become a priest.

Tom also received a calling to the priesthood, and both brothers joined the Holy Cross Congregation after hearing several members of the order preaching a mission at the cathedral. They soon were accepted as Holy Cross novitiates at Notre Dame University.

In 1938, Patrick was in his second year of theology, but the gruelling pace of his education was taking its toll; Patrick’s frequent episodes of spotting and coughing up blood quickly turned into major hemorrhages. He was diagnosed with an advanced tuberculosis of the right upper lobe of his lung and after a year of failing the standard pneumotherapy treatment (collapsing the diseased lung in order to give it rest), Patrick was languishing.

The only measure suggested by the doctors was a desperate one: a procedure called a thoracoplasty — the removal of some parts of his ribs and breaking and removing several others would hopefully make his shoulder blade fall in and that could force the lung to collapse. Since there was no guarantee that the procedure would be successful except that it would maim him for life, the doctors told Patrick that his choice was to either put himself in their hands or to put his trust in God and in prayer.

Fr. Cornelius Hagerty, Patrick’s philosophy professor, came to see him that late October night and told Patrick that he would start a powerful nine-day Novena of Masses for him. He also told Patrick three important things: that Patrick had faith but that he was not using it as given to him by his family; that people limit what Our Lord and Our Lady can do for them by the extent of their faith; and that Mary could do anything that God could do — the difference was that God wills something and it happens, while Mary prays to God for something and He does it for her as He will never refuse His Mother. 

After this talk, Patrick knew that he would put his trust in God and approach Him through His heavenly Mother to be cured. 

Patrick did have a miraculous cure in 1939 from tuberculosis and received a special dispensation from the Holy Father to be ordained at the same time as his brother in 1941. That day, Fr. Patrick Peyton, C.S.C., felt summoned to give his heart and soul in love to Mary and promised her all the merit of his priesthood until death.

In hindsight, it was ostensibly a God-coincidence that my first job in New York City corresponded to Fr. Peyton’s first job as we were both working in cathedrals; mine was as a cantor at St. Patrick’s Cathedral — and doing the very thing I said I would never do again, church singing. To me, it was indeed the beginning of a summons by God for Our Lady, as I used to pray in her chapel at the back of St. Patrick’s for my “big break.”

Advertisement

As it turned out, one day someone heard me perform at a restaurant and arranged for a huge audition that was the answer to my prayers, or so I thought. I was offered everything, but the offer came at a very high cost to my soul, and went completely against my Roman Catholic faith and upbringing. I knew in my heart that I had to choose God’s way, which would involve the Cross and suffering. I eventually ended up back home where my dear mother became the catalyst for a “calling” even bigger than I expected.

(Next Week: Marian Paths Cross!)