Film About Iconic “Rosary Priest” Opens In Kenner On Oct. 9

His “Rosary Rally” in New Orleans on February 3, 1952, drew 110,000 people. New Orleans Saints coach Patrick Sean Payton is named after him, and his brother served as Pastor of New Orlean’s Sacred Heart Parish.

In 1945, the immigrant Irish Catholic priest cold-called Bing Crosby and asked him to help create a radio program to talk about prayer. Bing, along with many other big named stars, said yes, igniting a family and faith-based production company that still exists today.

Father Patrick Peyton made his indelible mark on New Orleans and the world. The late priest is now on the road to sainthood, having touched tens of millions of lives, and influencing many others who have heard the phrase he coined -- "the family that prays together stays together."

PRAY: The Story Of Patrick Peyton, the new documentary film opening in Kenner, LA, on Oct. 9, chronicles the extraordinary life of Father Patrick Peyton, the clergyman known the world over as "The Rosary Priest", who not only produced hundreds of broadcasts, but traveled the world preaching to millions.

From his humble beginnings as a cathedral janitor in Scranton, PA, Father Peyton became a media pioneer, convincing celebrities such as Gregory Peck, Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball, Jimmy Stewart, Loretta Young, Jack Benny, Maureen O'Hara, Kirk Douglas, Raymond Burr, Shirley Temple, William Shatner, Bob Newhart, James Dean and Princess Grace to join him on radio and TV in the promotion of prayer. Family Theater Productions in Hollywood produced 900 radio and TV programs that featured hundreds of entertainers, and had more than 10,000 broadcasts.

Father Peyton began Family Rosary crusades, in Albany, NY, in 1942, with the goal of building peace through daily prayer after using faith to heal himself from tuberculosis as a young seminarian. He went on to lead over 540 Family Rosary Rallies that drew an estimated 28 million people, including 2 million each at events in Sao Paulo, Brazil and Manila, Philippines.

With interwoven historical footage and photos, interviews with family, friends and fellow clergy, and miraculous accounts of Father Peyton’s powers PRAY: The Story of Patrick Peyton illuminates the life story of a 20th Century religious icon.

The film opens Oct. 9 in Kenner at the Regal Grand Esplanade, 1401 W. Esplanade Ave.

To learn more, visit www.PrayTheFilm.com.