Celebrating the Legacy of Venerable Patrick Peyton and the Power of the Rosary
On June 28 and 29, 2025, St. Rose of Lima Parish in Scarborough—one of the Holy Cross-run parishes in the Archdiocese of Toronto—welcomed Holy Cross Family Ministries (HCFM) for a weekend, rich in prayer, inspiration, and renewed devotion to family faith life.
The weekend was made possible through the wholehearted support of Fr. Vijay Amruthraj, CSC, the parish pastor, whose warm collaboration ensured that every arrangement was in place for the mission. Fr. Sojan Augustine, CSC, the Associate Pastor, extended an especially warm welcome and offered ineffable hospitality, embodying the spirit of the Congregation of Holy Cross. This spirit is already deeply woven into the parish’s sacramental life, community bonds, and daily faith practice.
A Weekend of Prayer and Inspiration
Over the two days, Fr. Shaji M L CSC had the privilege of presenting the mission and works of Holy Cross Family Ministries to the parish community, while also celebrating the Eucharist. In total, Fr Shaji presided over four Masses and concelebrated one, making it a joy-filled blessing to participate in five celebrations of the Holy Eucharist. Each Mass was marked by a large gathering of faithful, whose attentiveness and devotion created a deeply prayerful atmosphere.
Through these celebrations, parishioners were invited to discover more about Venerable Patrick Peyton, the beloved “Rosary Priest,” who dedicated his life to reminding the world that “The family that prays together stays together.” “The world at prayer is a world at Peace “. His legacy continues to guide the mission of HCFM, encouraging families to center their lives on prayer—especially the Rosary—and to look to the Holy Family as a model of faith, love, and unity.
Renewing Devotion to the Rosary
In every presentation, the importance of praying the Rosary daily and fostering devotion to the Holy Family was emphasized. Parishioners responded with enthusiasm, expressing joy in learning more about HCFM’s resources and services. Pull-up banners of Venerable Patrick Peyton provided a visual reminder of his inspiring life, while Rosaries and “How to Pray the Rosary” leaflets were distributed to encourage continued prayer at home.
Many parishioners shared their gratitude for the opportunity to encounter the mission of Holy Cross Family Ministries more personally and to be reminded of the timeless call to family prayer in today’s busy and fragmented world.
Carrying the Spirit Forward
The weekend at St. Rose of Lima was a beautiful testimony to how the mission of Holy Cross continues to bear fruit wherever it is shared. The parish’s openness, the clergy’s hospitality, and the faithful’s deep hunger for prayer combined to make this visit an unforgettable blessing.Profound gratitude to Fr. Vijay CSC, Fr. Sojan CSC and all the parishioners of St Rose of Lima.
As the spirit of Venerable Patrick Peyton continues to inspire families across Canada, the mission remains clear: to help every family grow closer to God through prayer, particularly the Rosary, and devotion to the Holy Family.
Office of the National Director
HCFM Canada.
