In her 2016 memoir, “The Prayer Lines
Behind the Bylines,” journalist
Ann Hauprich shares some inspiring stories including that of Rev. William (Padre
Guilherme) Tracy, CSSR:
“As a Roman Catholic
school student half a century ago, I learned about St. Martin of Tours. In those days, St.
Martin was heralded as a “Patron Saint of reformed drunkards.” In today’s
vernacular, he is revered as a “Patron Saint of Recovering
Alcoholics.”
The ministries of
Saint Monica, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Jude and the Venerable Matt Talbot also
brought light into the darkness of alcoholics of bygone eras – and continue to
inspire those seeking to recover from addictions today. But in no book have I
encountered a “Patron Saint of Recovering Alcoholic
Clergy.”
Then it dawned on me
that whether or not such a title has ever been — or will ever be – bestowed upon
a mortal, the Rev. William Tracy has, by word and deed, exemplified what it is
to be the latter...” Continue reading this chapter at http://legaciesunlimited.com/father-william-tracy.htm. (And note there
is an expanded PDF version of this chapter.)
“The greatest proof in my life that God really loves me is
that
I am sober today and free from the living death of active
alcoholism.
I am grateful that what for 20 years had been my greatest
shame
has been transformed into the precious gift of helping
others.”
Rev.
William Tracy