[Matt Talbot became one of the first members of The Total
Abstinence League of the Sacred Heart in 1890, which was renamed the
Pioneer Total Abstinence Association in 1898.]
“The Pioneers have launched a campaign encouraging people
to give up drink for the month of November.
“By a long-standing Irish custom, many people choose to abstain from alcohol for the month of November and offer this act as a sacrifice for the eternal salvation of their deceased loved ones, and for the Souls in Purgatory. You can do likewise,” a spokesperson for the group said.
“By a long-standing Irish custom, many people choose to abstain from alcohol for the month of November and offer this act as a sacrifice for the eternal salvation of their deceased loved ones, and for the Souls in Purgatory. You can do likewise,” a spokesperson for the group said.
In recent times the Pioneers have seen increased interest in short term pledges – sometimes for Lent but also for Advent and in November.
Padraig Brady, Pioneer Association CEO, said many who enjoy alcohol in moderation also like to periodically quit. “Some people take the pledge to detox from alcohol and also to create more space to think about their drinking habits, he explained.
Others who take the short term pledge offer up their own commitment to try and help somebody close to them who may be struggling with an alcohol or drug abuse problem...” (More at http://www.catholicireland.net/pioneers-urge-public-pledge-november/.)