Holy Cross Father Patrick Peyton, a priest whose popular radio and television programs promoted family prayer, is a step closer to sainthood.The Archdiocese of Baltimore recently completed an exhaustive investigation into Father Peyton's life and ministry, and archdiocesan officials were preparing to send copies of its 16,000-page report to the Vatican's Congregation for Saints' Causes by July 23.
Baltimore Archbishop Edwin F. O'Brien celebrated the closing of the archdiocesan inquiry with a July 20 Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Baltimore.
Citing the archdiocese's experience with other sainthood causes, the Vatican asked Baltimore to take over the investigation of Father Peyton's cause from the Diocese of Fall River, Mass., in 2006. His cause was opened in June 2001 in that diocese.
Father Peyton, who died in 1992, is buried in Easton, Mass. Father Gilbert Seitz, Archbishop O'Brien's delegate for the inquiry, said the Vatican will use the Baltimore report to determine if Father Peyton lived in a heroic manner, which, if confirmed, would result in the church declaring him venerable.
Church authorities will then investigate possible healings that could be attributed to Father Peyton's intercession.
If a healing is determined to be miraculous, Father Peyton -- currently known as a servant of God -- will be declared blessed.
Another miracle will be needed for him to be canonized.
SIC: GBUSA