Patron of Alcoholics and Addicts:
Venerable Matthew Talbot
1856-1925
Matthew Talbot was born on May 2, 1856, the second of 12 siblings, in Dublin, Ireland. He had three sisters and nine brothers, three of whom died young. His father Charles was a dockworker and his mother, Elizabeth, was a housewife. When Matthew was about 12 years old, he started to drink alcohol. His father was a known alcoholic as well as all his brothers. The eldest brother, John, was the exception. Charles tried to dissuade Matthew with severe punishments but without success.
Matthew worked as a messenger boy when he was twelve and then transferred to another messenger job at the same place his father worked. After working there for three years, he became a bricklayer's laborer. He was a hodman, which meant he fetched mortar and bricks for the bricklayers. He was considered "the best hodman in Dublin.
As he grew into an adult, he continued to drink excessively, He continued to work but spent all his wages on heavy drinking. When he got drunk, he became very hot-tempered, got into fights, and swore. He became so desperate for more drinks that he would buy drinks on credit, sell his boots or possessions, or steal people's possession so he could exchange it for more drinks. He refused to listen to his mother's plea to stop drinking. He eventually lost his own self-respect. One day when he was broke, he loitered around a street corner waiting for his "friends", who were leaving work after they were paid their wages. He had hoped that they would invite him for a drink but they ignored him. Dejected, he went home and publicly resolved to his mother, "I'm going to take the pledge." His mother smiled and responded, "Go, in God's name, but don't take it unless you are going to keep it." As Matthew was leaving, she continued, "May God give you strength to keep it."
Matthew went straight to confession at Clonliffe College and took a pledge not to drink for three months. The next day he went back to Church and received communion for the first time in years. From that moment on, in 1884 when he was 28 years old, he became a new man. After the he successfully fulfilled his pledge for three months, he made a life long pledge. He even made a pledge to give up his pipe and tobacco. He used to use about seven ounces of tobacco a week. He said to the late Sean T. O'Ceallaigh, former President of Ireland, that it cost him more to give up tobacco that to give up alcohol.
The new converted Matthew never swore. He was good humored and amicable to everyone. He continued to work as a hodman and then as a laborer for timber merchants. He used his wages to pay back all his debts. He lived modestly and his home was very spartan. He developed into a very pious individual who prayed every chance he got. He attended Mass every morning and made devotions like the Stations of the Cross or devotions the Blessed mother in the evenings. He fasted, performed acts of mortification, and financially supported many religious organizations. He read biographies of St. Teresa of Avila, St. Therese of Lisieux, and St. Catherine of Sienna. He later joined the Third Order of St. Francis on October 18, 1891 even though a young pious girl proposed to marry him. Physically, he suffered from kidney and heart ailments. During the two times he was hospitalized, he spent much time in Eucharistic adoration in the hospital chapel. Eventually, Matthew died on June 7, 1925 while walking to Mass. He was 69 years old. Here is a wonderful quote from Matthew to remember:
"Three things I cannot escape: the eye of God, the voice of conscience, the stroke of death. In company, guard your tongue. In your family, guard your temper. When alone guard your thoughts."
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AS OTHERS SAW HIM
His Prayerfulness
He "sought through prayer and meditation to improve his conscious contact with God" (11th step of AA programme). He converted his incessant craving for drink into a drive for closer union with God - a one-day-at-a-time approach which lasted forty years.
His Perseverance
"It is consistency that God seeks", Matt Talbot said. He carried out faithfully each day the spiritual programme given to him and visited a priest friend every Saturday for direction - a help to addicts who are advised to attend regular meetings and have a sponsor.
Total Giving
He gave himself totally to his new way of life. Once a self-centred alcoholic, he showed outstanding kindness, generosity and thoughtfulness to his family, his neighburs and to his fellow workers.
Sense of Justice
He was keenly aware of the unjust treatment of workers in his day. He refused to return to work after a strike in 1900 and sought another job. "He was very strong in the rights of labouring men", according to Ted Fuller, a workmate "and said they should stand up for themselves." He shared his small wages with his poor neighbours and even contributed to an orphanage in New York.
The Making of a Saint
Matt Talbot was declared Venerable in 1973 which means that the church has decided that from a human point of view, he has the qualifications of a Saint. However a physical miracle is required to show Gods Approval of this judgement before he will be Beatified and another Miracle after that, before he will be canonised.
The Holy father believes that Matt Talbot has been chosen by God as a model for addicts. He was a recovered Alcoholic. It is now known that the rehabilitation programme given to him in 1884 incorporated the 12 step programme of Alcoholics Anonymous. although these steps were not formulated for another 50 years.
Devotees of Matt Talbot may be interested to learn that Pope John Paul II wrote a paper on Matt when he was a young man.
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Consider asking for his intercession. Visit a website devoted to M. Talbot. Google search "Matthew Talbot," There are a couple of very short books out on his very interesting life -- pretty sure they are available online. Bob B.
Fascinating Bob B ~ I'm so happy to see you posting again. I know I posted to you a while back about pondering the thought of attending Mass again....do you suggest I go to confession first and then go to Mass, or should I just attend Mass and not participate in the communion; I have other questions too, but not sure if they'd be appropriate to ask here, for example, I'm divorced, did some pretty ludicrous things while I out there using and drinking, so I wonder if I will even be able to take communion again. Thank you for sharing the story of St Matthew ~ I will begin to pray to him, along with my other prayers I say daily.
Wow, quite inspiring that.
It also answers a question I have about AA and the twelve steps. I have been wondering whether the program helps you connect with your spiritual self.
I am going in circles trying to find greater meaning in life and making a connection with my higher self but it is quite elusive really. That story is reflective of the AA process I guess and is wholly spiritual.
It also answers a question I have about AA and the twelve steps. I have been wondering whether the program helps you connect with your spiritual self.
I am going in circles trying to find greater meaning in life and making a connection with my higher self but it is quite elusive really. That story is reflective of the AA process I guess and is wholly spiritual.
lacey, if you are alcoholic, work the steps. as reflected in Step 12 the steps promise a spiritual awakening "as a result of taking the steps."
one suggestion to help with the "going in circles" -- take a look at the Catholic Catechism -- there's a short version just published called the Compendium. it's instructional, but also a condensation of a rock solid approach to the spiritual life. only a suggestion that has been a help to me. and it's stood the test of time -- over 2,000 years now. many have gone before you on the "going in circles" issue.
Thank you Bob.
Some kind of spiritual awakening is just what I am after really. I know that without it then life is quite shallow. I have checked out when the local AA meeting is. I guess I am an alcoholic!!
Also when I have read the big book and co dependant no more I shall look up the compendium. Many thanks again.
Some kind of spiritual awakening is just what I am after really. I know that without it then life is quite shallow. I have checked out when the local AA meeting is. I guess I am an alcoholic!!
Also when I have read the big book and co dependant no more I shall look up the compendium. Many thanks again.
hi, lacey.
when you are ready, the full text of the Compendium, which is a short version of the full Catechism of the Catholic Church, is available on the internet for free. just google search "vatican" for the Vatican website and click on Compendium.
working the steps promises a spiritual awakening -- the promise and assurance of the awakening is contained in Step 12. others have worked the steps and found a means of sobriety. but they do take work, and "sacrifice." and a commitment of time. we have to die to "self." while the steps are secular, as suggested in the Big Book, for a believer the steps can be worked in conjunction with the spirituality found in religion. the Big Book is clear on this point.
God, your creator, loves you and wants to communicate and commune with you. in fact, in your search and seeking, you are closer to him and he is closer to you than you may think. he calls us each by name. the kingdom of God is at hand, as it has been said. also, the Kingdom of God is within you.
best to you today.
when you are ready, the full text of the Compendium, which is a short version of the full Catechism of the Catholic Church, is available on the internet for free. just google search "vatican" for the Vatican website and click on Compendium.
working the steps promises a spiritual awakening -- the promise and assurance of the awakening is contained in Step 12. others have worked the steps and found a means of sobriety. but they do take work, and "sacrifice." and a commitment of time. we have to die to "self." while the steps are secular, as suggested in the Big Book, for a believer the steps can be worked in conjunction with the spirituality found in religion. the Big Book is clear on this point.
God, your creator, loves you and wants to communicate and commune with you. in fact, in your search and seeking, you are closer to him and he is closer to you than you may think. he calls us each by name. the kingdom of God is at hand, as it has been said. also, the Kingdom of God is within you.
best to you today.
Aw, that's lovely. Thankyou Bob.
Bob B,
Step 12. Having had a spiritual awakening as THE result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
Sometimes the misplacement of one word can change the entire message and this happens to be one of them.
Sorry if this is too anal but I thought it important.
In regards to Matt Talbot his story was so inspiring to me from the standpoint of being a common working man whose struggle was rewarded with sobriety, sanity, and serenity. His struggle with the disease ended but his work to ensure his relationship with God and his fellow man never did until his dying day.
The book I had read was Matt Talbot "His Struggle and His Victory Over Alcoholism" by Susan Helen Wallace and it was quite a read.
Bob S
Step 12. Having had a spiritual awakening as THE result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
Sometimes the misplacement of one word can change the entire message and this happens to be one of them.
Sorry if this is too anal but I thought it important.
In regards to Matt Talbot his story was so inspiring to me from the standpoint of being a common working man whose struggle was rewarded with sobriety, sanity, and serenity. His struggle with the disease ended but his work to ensure his relationship with God and his fellow man never did until his dying day.
The book I had read was Matt Talbot "His Struggle and His Victory Over Alcoholism" by Susan Helen Wallace and it was quite a read.
Bob S
thanks for the wordsmithing. it is important. thanks.
