Thursday, December 25, 2008

Remembering Matt Talbot on Christmas Day


During the 1880's in Dublin, the typical good layman went to Mass just on Sunday and received Holy Communion only at Christmas and Easter. But for Matt Talbot to find the strength to remain sober, he attended Mass each morning before work and received Holy Communion. In preparation for Christmas, Matt fasted during Advent. These are just two of multiple lifestyle changes Matt made in recovery.

We wish all a Blessed Christmas.
Nollaig Shona Dhuit

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

St. Maximilian Kolbe and Venerable Matt Talbot: Direct Experience Counts

People select one or more patron saints for a variety of reasons. This writer selected Matt Talbot because, for her, "direct experience counts." St. Maximilian is frequently mentioned as the patron saint of addicts, not because he was an addict but probably because when he did not die quickly enough from starvation, he was given a lethal injection of carbolic acid in the concentration camp at Auschwitz during World War II. (JB)



by The Prodigal Catholic
December 20, 2008

"...I'm really looking forward to praying the Venerable Matt Talbot Chaplet. I know St. Maximilian Kolbe is considered the Patron Saint of Addicts, but as far as I know he never dealt with addiction. The Venerable Matt Talbot did. And for this recovering Catholic, that makes all the difference for someone like myself who has struggled with addiction. For me if it changes the way I feel, it's a drug. And that includes alcohol. I sincerely hope that the Venerable Matt Talbot will not only be canonized as the Patron Saint of alcoholics, but also of addicts. He is truly an inspiration to me as someone who used his Catholic Faith as a mighty tool in his recovery from his addiction to alcohol."

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Matt Talbot Merchandise

While we do not endorse specific companies that sell Matt Talbot merchandise, we do occasionally note what is available for sale.

Until recently the only merchandise featuring Matt were different images of him on "saint" and prayer cards and medals. Now we have chaplets such as this one:




The latest is a T-shirt:




Wednesday, December 17, 2008

The Saints and Me


Terry Nelson
Nov 15th, 2008



Conversation in heaven.


In ancient hagiography one often reads that this or that particular saint, because of his deep recollection and prayer, lived more in heaven than on earth. Of course such behavior would indicate great holiness and union with God. When I was little, not a few people told my parents that I was using religion as an escape - a remarkable thing to say about a little kid, don’t you think?


Priests say the darndest things.


Surprisingly, the most notable person to say it happened to be a priest; in his opinion, because I wasn’t good at sports, I took refuge in pious devotions. He told my parents I should be playing baseball rather than making visits to the Blessed Sacrament. (In my day, a boy who came from a mixed marriage - my dad was Lutheran - and whose parent(s) had been divorced, was considered ineligible for priesthood. These things were impediments and required a dispensation - hence the priest probably thought I was wasting my time praying.)


Imitating those who imitated Christ.


In some respects, I suppose the priest was correct, I expect I had found an escape from a very difficult home life, although, I learned from a very early age that heaven is my true home, and my family there is my support. Therefore, from the age of 5 or 6, I developed an attachment to the saints, the Blessed Virgin, and Jesus in the Eucharist. I read about the saints - often reading stories of my favorites over and over, I tried to imitate their virtue and prayer, but I failed miserably. Perhaps the one thing I might have done as well as the saints, is to frequent the sacrament of penance - but that is about it.


Nevertheless, they became my companions and very best friends. They were my confidantes and teachers. In fact, I attribute my success in certain studies such as history, geography, and language to my knowing the saints, who took me (my imagination) all over the world.


What becomes of the broken hearted?


Growing up, I maintained my relationship with the saints, who never abandoned me even though I abandoned the faith for a short time as a young adult. Today, they remain a part of my life in a much deeper way, and I see how their prayers have helped me, even delivered me from so much evil, while being such a consolation in this long loneliness of life.


This morning at prayer I suddenly thought of Matt Talbot, and I began to reflect upon his life. It seemed as if he purposely came along this morning to remind me of something he once said, “How can a man be lonely when he has Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament?”


You see Matt renounced a life of dissipation and alcoholism, and after his conversion, he lived as a penitent the rest of his life. That meant he left behind his bar friends, who had no time for him anyway since he wasn’t drinking. He embraced a life of celibacy, convinced Our Lady desired this for him. His loneliness was filled with prayer and devotion to the saints, Our Lady, and Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Matt balanced his life of prayer with labor and good works.


How can a young man remain sinless?


Matt reminded me how lonely it can be for younger people who happen to be in difficult situations in life. I remember when I was in my early 20’s, I was scared a part of my body would wither and fall off if I embraced a life of chastity - I’m serious. I remember one night coming home from the bars - alone - crying out to God: “Please, please, let me find someone - I just want to have someone to love me and share my life with.” Loneliness is a killer. (Yet God hears every prayer.)


The practice of the presence of God.


After many fallings and risings, I rediscovered Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, as well as my friendship with the saints; and early on, Matt was one of many who taught me how to live alone with the Great Alone - God, in His angels and in His saints. If we learn to practice the presence of God we realize we are never alone, and that only God can fill our loneliness. And in so doing, He heals the wounds that aggravate the pain.


Note: Additional postings by Terry about Matt Talbot can be found at http://venerablematttalbotresourcecenter.blogspot.com/search?q=terry+nelson