THIS PAGE IS DEDICATED TO OBTAINING THE
OPENING OF THE CAUSE FOR CANONIZATION OF
FR. PETER ROOKEY, THE MIRACLE PRIEST
Early Life
Peter Byron Rookey was born Joseph Rookey on October 12, 1916, in Superior, Wisconsin, the ninth of thirteen children of Anthony and Johanna Rookey. His family was largely Irish in heritage, with French-Canadian and Irish immigrant roots, and spiritually rich—his maternal cousin, Fr. Christopher O’Toole, later became the Servite General and oversaw Notre Dame University.
At age nine, a firecracker accident left young “Byron” blind. His mother gathered the family nightly to pray the rosary for his healing. During this time Peter promised God that if his sight were restored, he would become a priest. Within a year and a half, he was completely healed, a miracle that would shape the trajectory of his life.
Priestly Vocation
At age 13, Peter entered Hillside Seminary in Chicago and was ordained a Servite Priest on May 17, 1941, taking the name Peter Mary. Deeply devoted to the Blessed Mother, he lived a life of prayer, simplicity, and obedience.
His early assignments took him to Ireland in 1948 to help establish the Servite monastery at Benburb Castle, where his healing ministry first came to light. Later he served in Rome as Assistant General of the Servite Order (1953–1959), in Belgium at the University of Louvain, in Germany, and in the Servite missions of Missouri. From 1984 to 2002 he ministered from Our Lady of Sorrows Basilica in Chicago, where thousands attended his monthly healing Masses.
Charismatic Gifts
Fr. Rookey became known worldwide as “The Healing Priest”. He always attributed every healing solely to Jesus Christ, describing himself as merely an “instrument”. Countless testimonials reported cures of cancer, blindness, deafness, addictions, infertility, and emotional and spiritual afflictions. In addition, many described supernatural signs in connection with him such as the scent of roses, visions of Christ in the Eucharist, and his reputed gift of bilocation.
He also exercised gifts of prophecy and knowledge, spent hours praying over the sick, and practiced intense personal discipline—daily fasting, long walks, and constant prayer. His crucifix containing relics of saints was used in blessings that often left people “resting in the Spirit” … and, lastly, his prayers were reported to expel demons in apparent exorcisms!
His healing ministry touched tens of thousands across the U.S., Europe, Africa, Australia, Asia, and the Holy Land. Documented miracles included the healings of Irish singer, David Parkes, and Scottish nurse, Heather Duncan, in Medjugorje. His miracles, interviews, and ministry were featured in multiple books, recordings, and the documentary The Healing Priest.
Fr. Rookey had a great devotion to St. Peregrine Laziosi (a fellow
Servite) and often used the pictured crucifix containing his relic,
along with other Servite Saints, during his healing services.
Later Years
In Chicago, Fr. Rookey founded the International Compassion Ministry, which received prayer requests from around the world and published newsletters filled with healing testimonies. Pilgrimages took him to Medjugorje nearly thirty times, and he continued traveling globally well into his later years.
Fr. Rookey met and ministered to many notable figures, including St. Padre Pio, St. Mother Teresa, and Pope St. John Paul II. He was also a longtime friend of Bob and Dolores Hope, celebrating Mass for Dolores’ 100th birthday.
Though he lived a life of rigorous prayer and fasting, he remained joyful, humorous, and accessible to everyone he met. He often said he would keep his beard “until abortion is aborted”, wearing it as a sign of mourning for the Unborn.
Fr. Peter Mary Rookey passed away peacefully in his sleep on September 10, 2014, rosary in hand, after sharing a joyful meal with his brother Servite priests. He was 97 years old; remembered by thousands as a humble servant of God; a powerful instrument of healing; and a devoted son of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Potential Sainthood
Today, there is a grassroots movement to have Fr. Rookey investigated for possible sainthood. His Cause for canonization is actively being promoted by his nephew and niece—Timothy & Anne Rookey of Wisconsin—and Our Sorrowful Mother’s Ministry, based in Illinois, which claims the priest as their “Founding Father”.
Promoters and supporters of the Cause are currently gathering testimonials of miracles attributed to Fr. Rookey’s intercession and are working with a bishop in Chicago (where he passed) to commence a formal investigation. For the time being, other admirers of this holy man are being asked by those working behind the scenes to pray for his canonization using the official prayer included below.
Prayer for the Cause of Sainthood
of Fr. Peter Mary Rookey
Heavenly Father, we believe that from the depths of your merciful love you have bestowed upon the world a great gift in giving us Fr. Peter Mary Rookey. He was our dear friend in persona Christi and helped to lead countless souls to you. He brought Jesus Christ your Son to us by making Him truly present, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity upon the altar in every Mass he offered. He showed us that we are each especially loved as a child of God. His healing touch left an indelible mark on us when he laid his hands upon us to heal our wounds of body, mind and spirit. May this humble, holy priest who never thought of himself but continuously poured himself out for others, for the glory of God, through the intercession of Our Lady of Sorrows, be proclaimed in time, a Saint, and be raised to the altar by the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. Amen.
The “Miracle Prayer”
(composed by Fr. Rookey)
Lord Jesus, I come before you just as I am. I am sorry for my sins. I repent of my sins, please forgive me. In your name I forgive all others for what they have done against me. I renounce Satan, the evil spirits and all their works. I give you my entire self, Lord Jesus, now and forever. I invite you into my life, Jesus. I accept you as my Lord, God and Savior. Heal me, change me, strengthen me in body, soul and spirit.
Come, Lord Jesus, cover me with your precious blood, and fill me with your Holy Spirit. I Love You, Lord Jesus. I Praise You, Jesus. I Thank You, Jesus. I shall follow you every day of my life. Amen.
Mary, my mother, Queen of Peace, St. Peregrine, the Cancer Saint, all you Angels and Saints, please help me. Amen.
NOTE: Fr. Rookey promoted the above prayer with enthusiasm. I personally heard him say that when one comes to mean every word of it, one will experience a miracle, hence its title!
A Personal Testimonial
I actually met this holy man when he came here to Hawaii sometime in the 1990s to speak and conduct two Healing Masses. On the first night, he was at Mary, Star of the Sea Church and, during the Mass, I witnessed the shadowy face of Christ (resembling the Holy Shroud face) appear on the large Host he consecrated and elevated. Others in the church saw the Lord, too, including a prayer group member of mine who was kneeling beside me. That's when I realized Fr. Rookey was the real deal!
Also, after the Mass, he invited people to come to the front of the church to give testimony to the Jesus's power and goodness ... so I went up to say a few words on behalf of myself and my prayer group. When I was done, I reached out to hand Fr. Rookey the microphone and when his fingers grazed mine, I felt a tremendous surge of energy rush into my body. I later woke up lying on my back at the foot of the altar, not knowing how I got there. My friends later told me that I had flown backwards as if struck by lightning and they worried I was hurt, but I was perfectly fine and experienced no pain at all. Instead, I recall feeling a heightened sense of peace and elation and was told by others that I had "rested in the Spirit". This "falling down" was repeated when he later prayed over us, individually, and touching our foreheads with his relic crucifix, while the Host was exposed in a monstrance.
So now you readers have an idea of why I have a deep reverence for Fr. Rookey and why I'm glad he may be headed for Sainthood. In my personal opinion, and based on what I witnessed, he really was an exceptionally holy priest with genuine God-given charisms.
Online Resources
For those wanting more information about the life of this servant of God and humanity, and how to support the push for his possible Canonization, visit the following websites:
The Rookey Saint
(sign the online petition for his Cause for Canonization and submit prayer requests)
Our Sorrowful Mother’s Ministry
Fr. Peter Rookey, pray for us!
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