Matt Talbot as an example of commitment

The book description of the newly published 74 page book, Freedom Fighters, by Amanda Maria Riley states, “Freedom from addiction or habits that enslave us is not a moment of accomplishment but a battle fought every day. From this perspective, Freedom Fighters enlists readers in boot camp. A series of "training exercises" with Bible quotes and Christian reflections strengthens the reader providing a new perspective, a greater awareness of the patterns leading to addiction, a deeper understanding of self-discipline, and Christ as a model for strength.”

 

The third training exercise on commitment centers on Matt Talbot, page 8, which is included in the book preview at http://www.amazon.com/Freedom-Fighters-Amanda-Maria-Riley/dp/1481275437#reader_1481275437.

A Retablo of Venerable Matt Talbot

This retablo of Venerable Matt Talbot was created by Patricia Hostetter-Lopex of Albuquerque, New Mexico. (Retablos, referred to as “laminas” in Latin America, are small oil paintings on tin, zinc, wood or copper. The literal translation for “retablo” is “behind the altar.”)

Source:http://www.hlbiznartz.com/hispanicfolkart.html

Remembering Venerable Matt Talbot

Whereas a feast day is only officially declared by the Church when a holy person is canonized, multiple websites list holy persons who are not yet canonized as “Saint of the Day” but with different calendar dates. Such is the case with Venerable Matt Talbot. 

We have previously noted various feast day dates or what we call Remembrance Day for Venerable Matt Talbot.  Most sites lists either June 18 or June 19. One very popular “Saint of the Day” website, however, lists Matt Talbot for June 18 at one of their links
(http://www.americancatholic.org/features/saintofday/default.aspx) and June 19 at another (http://www.americancatholic.org/features/saints/saint.aspx?id=1418,although  the recorded message at both links refer to only the June 18th date. (Archbishop Charles Brown, Papal Nuncio to Ireland, posted “Year of Faith-The Saints-Ven. Matt Talbot” on June 19 at http://homiliesarchbishopcharlesbrown.blogspot.com/2013/06/year-of-faith-saints-ven-matt-talbot.html)
 

A third date that seems to be on the increase is June 7, the date of Matt Talbot’s death, such as at http://www.catholicireland.net/saintoftheday/matt-talbot-the-workers-saint/, http://www.loyolapress.com/saints-stories-for-kids.htm?cId=403542, http://clericalwhispers.blogspot.com/2011/06/naomh-lae-saint-of-day_07.html, and http://www.gloria.tv/?media=163920). This may be the date that will be selected by the Church upon his canonization. Of course, each of us may choose to remember Matt each and every day.

"Living proof of Christianity"

 

 In his homily for Divine Mercy Sunday 7th April 2013 at Knock Shrine, Archbishop Charles Brown, Papal Nuncio to Ireland, refers to both living and deceased Christians, including Matt Talbot, as proof of Christianity:

“...Jesus said to Thomas: “You believe because you have seen me.  Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (Jn 20:29).  Thomas wanted proof.

What is the proof of Christianity for those who cannot see Jesus the way Thomas saw him?  Individual Christians.  We are the proof of Christianity.  Christians who live their Catholic faith in a radiant and wholehearted way; Christians like Matt Talbot, Edel Quinn and Sister Faustina Kowlaska.  They are the proof of Christianity.  They are the ones who help people who have not seen Jesus the way that Thomas did, to believe in him, to love him and to serve him.  Let us entrust ourselves and all our petitions today to Mary, the woman of faith and love, the Mother of God, Our Lady of Knock, Queen of Ireland.”


Source: http://homiliesarchbishopcharlesbrown.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-homily-of-archbishop-charles-brown.html

Archbishop Brown also posted the following about Matt Talbot at http://homiliesarchbishopcharlesbrown.blogspot.com/2013/06/year-of-faith-saints-ven-matt-talbot.html

Reflection on Venerable Matt Talbot's Death and Legacy

Each of us will have a different way of reflecting on Matt Talbot’s death and legacy today, the 88th anniversary of his death.

One approach is to read http://www.matttalbot.ie/ultimate-victory.htm and the following two Dublin Diocesan Matt Talbot Website pages and/or play the "5. Death & Legacy" video at  http://www.matttalbot.ie/videos.htm and then record your reflection in a “Matt Talbot Journal.”

 

We have pasted the third page of the recommended reading below:

Matt sets before us a radical example which demonstrates that ordinary people can do extraordinary things. His life is a witness to the fact that people can by God's grace and their own self acceptance say no to that which leads to addiction or addictive behaviours and that in the meantime our communities must never lose hope and must continue to care for them.

Maybe it is because of this that so many have come to love and admire Matt Talbot. Matt's friend Paddy Laird always found it extraordinary that there were only seven people at Matt's funeral, but upon making public his life story hundreds of thousands have come to see him as a hero and a beacon of hope.

People need heroes, not in the sense of comic book or movie superheroes with superhuman powers, not pop stars or celebrities all art and pizzazz but with little or no moral substance. No what we need are ordinary people who against extraordinary odds do the right thing, like saying no to addiction or compulsion. Matt Talbot understood this and he would say to others, "If I can do it so can you with the grace of God".

Matt example has inspired many institutions, movements and individuals around the world giving hope of recovery to those who are willing to accept their weakness and need. Such people stand as beacons in our world to the truth that we can overcome addiction rise above our weakness and achieve great things even sainthood.

Jesus said, "Come to me all you who labour and are overburdened and I will give you rest shoulder my yoke and learn from me for I am meek and humble of heart and you will find rest for your souls" Matt 11:28-30.

Matt Talbot's life as a labourer who was overburdened by addiction and guilt gradually grew in awareness through the gift of grace and the Holy Spirit that a life of meekness and humility of heart will lead to rest for our souls, and towards a better world where all self destructive drive will come to an end, where people will live in harmony of body, mind and spirit, in harmony too with each other, with creation and with God.

By following the example of Matt Talbot you tell the world that there is more to life than "sex, and drugs and rock n roll," that there is hope for every broken heart and that by God's love his kingdom comes into our hearts, our homes and our world.

At this time when so many of our communities are affected by the scourge of alcohol and substance misuse, God has chosen Matt to be set before us as a model of temperance and a source of strength and support to all who suffer from addiction or additive behaviors.

Matt Talbot ascetic and urban spiritual mystic, who overcame addiction by the Grace of God, his higher power, whose faith was nourished by his extraordinary love of the Eucharist and his sublime devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Christ told his followers, "You therefore must be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect," Matt 5:48. When Matt found sobriety through prayer, his desire for drink was replaced by a desire for Christian perfection.

New Matt Talbot Icon by Terry Nelson Forthcoming

[On this eve of the 88th anniversary of the death of Venerable Matt Talbot, Terry Nelson has announced that he is creating a new icon of Matt at  http://abbey-roads.blogspot.com/2013/06/matt-talbot-eve.html.  He has previously created the increasingly popular icon of Matt pictured below.]

“Venerable Matt Talbot exemplified the heroic virtue of temperance. He practiced the Christian life more or less as a solitary, although he was a member of the Third Order of St. Francis. The spiritual combat Talbot engaged in was associated with alcoholism, which in his case demanded the renunciation of a behavior, as well as an adjustment in lifestyle. 

Talbot overcame his attachment to the disorder through the practice of the virtues, prayer and fidelity to the duties of his state in life, and mortification.  He found support in the sacraments, spiritual direction and spiritual reading.  Although he 'took the pledge' to abstain from alcohol, he did not have a support group such as AA to aid in his recovery.  I especially admire Talbot's fortitude and perseverance, demonstrating that with God all things can be overcome... "In your strength I can crush an army; with my God I can scale any wall." 

Tomorrow, June 7 is the anniversary of his death.  Matt died in 1925.

I mention Matt Talbot today because I just started a new icon of him yesterday.  It is smaller than the one shown above, the new figure is a bust, cut off just below the hands.  My intention is to redo the head and face somewhat.  The image shown here is in a private collection.”

                             

                                   

2013 Matt Talbot Committee Members

The 2013 Dublin Diocesan Matt Talbot Committee consists of:

Chairman: Most Rev. Diarmuid Martin, the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Dublin, Primate of Ireland, and Parish Priest of Saint Mary's Pro-Cathedral.

Executive Chairman: V. Rev. Brian Lawless, S.T.L. is the Vice-Postulator of the Cause for the beatification of the Venerable Matt Talbot and Parish Priest of St. Agatha Parish, Dublin.

46 North William Street, Dublin 1. Tel: 8554078

Email: frbrian@stagathasparish.ie
Secretary: Breege Morris
Email: info@matttalbot.ie               
Website: www.matttalbot.ie
Tel: 01 8554078.

Members: Mr. Patrick Behan, Brother Christopher Carroll,
Mr. Anthony Malone, Paula Murray, Vera Brady,
Sr. Briget O’Connor, D.C., Mr. Des Kelly, Mr Michael Murphy,
Mr. Shay O'Melia, Very Rev. Tim Wrenn & Mr. Michael Wall.

Source:  http://www.dublindiocese.ie/content/matt-talbot-committee

1936 article about Matt Talbot

In searching for information about Venerable Matt Talbot (1856-1925), one Google search link is titled, Matt Talbot - An Irish Saint - Ireland For Real. Clicking this link leads to the actual website page with the different titles, “Matt Talbot, The Unknown Man” and “Matt Talbot – written in 1936” above the article itself.  The website’s “Popular Pages,” however, lists the still different title of, "Matt Talbot - A Living Saint: One of Dublin's Most Famous” at http://www.ireland-for-real.com/popular-pages.html.

The original publication source is not stated, but the author may be Dennis Barry, whose name  appears at the end of the article. Please note that the article consists of numerous grammatical and spelling errors and some of its content is duplicated.

Matt Talbot's Story Included in Small Group Faith Sharing Resource

Christopher Ruff has authored a Discipleship Series of compact small-group resources “for busy people with busy lives but open hearts,” which has been used and well received in multiple US and Canadian dioceses and parishes.

One of these is The Greatest of These is Love (2008) which “features 6 engaging sessions, each reflecting on passages from the writings of St. Paul on love and illustrating the themes through brief stories of men and women touched by grace: Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta, St. Damien of Molokai, St. Maria Goretti, Blessed Bartolo Longo, Irishman Matt Talbot and Immaculee Ilibagiza. It also includes prayer and discussion questions integral to growth as a disciple of Jesus Christ.” (This paperback has declarations of "Nihil Obstat" and "Imprimatur.") 

Information about the author is available at http://www.christopherruff.com/p/about.html 

and a 61 page sample of the contents (but without Matt Talbot’s story) can be viewed at

The Greatest of These is Love - Diocese of La Crosse or http://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/103865109/Sample%20-%20The%20Greatest%20of%20These%20is%20Love.pdf

“I am an Alcoholic, Lord”

This is the title of one chapter from the book,  It's me again, Lord: Heart-to-heart chats between God and myself,” by the late popular Irish author and speaker, Fr. Jack McArdle. It was originally published in 1998 by Columba Press and can be read (and prayed) by anyone with an interest in alcoholism and other addictions at http://www.holyspiritinteractive.org/library/476, May, 2013.  We sincerely appreciate the content being available online. Other chapters that may be of interested are also listed. 

Before reading this chapter, however, it is worthwhile to read the introductory chapter regarding prayer and the book’s format at  http://www.holyspiritinteractive.net/columns/jackmcardle/itsmeagainlord/introduction.asp.

Monthly Calendar of Scheduled Matt Talbot Committee Events

Monthly Matt Talbot Committee's scheduled events over the coming months in Ireland and elsewhere are available at http://www.matttalbot.ie/events.htm.

 

For more information about these events or if you would like to enquire about booking the Matt Talbot Committee for an event, please contact http://www.matttalbot.ie/contact.htm.

Venerable Matt Talbot: Patron of Struggling and Recovering Addicts and Alcoholics

[The source of this article by Terry Nelson can be found at https://franciscanaction.org/earthcorps/resources/venerable-matt-talbot, dated 2013-05-14.  We have posted previous articles as well as his increasingly popular icon of Matt Talbot at http://venerablematttalbotresourcecenter.blogspot.com/search?q=terry+nelson. Terry’s blog can be found at http://abbey-roads.blogspot.com/

"Matthew Talbot (1856 - 1925) lived at an incredibly difficult time. He and his 13 siblings were born into poverty in Dublin shortly after the Irish Potato Famine. One million people died from this largely human-made disaster that saw, even while starvation was rampant, the British government's siphoning off of profit from Irish crops and livestock. Another million people emigrated out of the country, and alcoholism was rampant among those who stayed behind.

Matt's father was one man who succumbed to alcoholism and spend much of the family's income on the cheap whiskey that was widely available. Matt and his siblings spent little time in school and worked odd jobs to bring in extra money. Matt's first job, at age 12, was to deliver Guinness stout to pubs. He began drinking the dregs of the returned bottles and, at the age of 13, he too was an alcoholic. Even then he was known as a very hard worker, but as an adult he spent all his wages on alcohol. His friends later testified: “[Matt] only wanted one thing—the drink; he wouldn't go with us to a dance or a party or a school function. But for the drink he'd do anything.”

Already in his 20's Matt incurred large debts and resorted to thievery, even stealing the violin from a blind street entertainer and selling it to pay for rounds of drinks at the bar. But, at the age of 28, he realized his life had become desperate and small and his relationships extremely shallow. He resolved to take 'the pledge' for sobriety organized by Capuchin Franciscans and others in the Catholic Church began to attend Mass daily. More changes were happening inside him and, even though his hard labor as a dockworker paid little, he began quietly giving money to those around him to pay for shoes for their children or overdue rent.

Matt joined the Third Order of Saint Francis of Assisi (now called the “Secular Franciscan Order”) in 1890. His spiritual life centered him in a joyful way of being, earning him the reputation as a "happy little man . . . who smiled at everything except a dirty joke.” He filled his life with prayer, fasting, and service. He gave away most of his wages every week to the poor in Ireland and to international Catholic missions. His commitment to the lay Franciscans was incredible—the attendance records show that in 35 years he only missed a couple of the monthly meetings.

Matt often read the Bible and the lives of saints, and he also began reading papal encyclicals on social justice and books on the labor movement. His faith and his concern for the poor led him to action, and in 1900 he joined a strike from the Dublin Port & Docks Board to demand a modest raise of sixpence to their daily pay of four and sixpence. When management refused, he was one of four workers who held out from returning to work while the rest slowly gave in to the financial pressure.

He became a loyal member of Ireland's Transport and General Workers Union. When the Dublin Lockout of 1913 led to sympathy strikes throughout the city, Matt consulted a trusted priest as he discerned joining the strike. The priest encouraged him, and Matt joined the strike also came to quote a phrase from a book the priest gave him: “No man has the right to starve a worker into submission.” During this strike, he refused the strike pay given by the union to ease financial hardship, saying that he had not earned it. Later he accepted the pay but shared it among the other strikers. Matt was a vocal supporter of James Larkin, a famous union organizer and major figure in Ireland's labor movement. One union leader, Stephen McGonagle, described Matt as “a beacon of light to Irish workers.”

After a life of heroic perseverance, Matt died suddenly while walking to Mass on June 7, 1925. He was declared Venerable by Pope Paul VI in 1975. He is the Patron of Struggling and Recovering Addicts and Alcoholics and many addiction treatment programs, retreats, and centers throughout the world bear his name.

Sources:

• The Franciscan Tradition by Rev. Regis J. Armstrong, OFM Cap. and Sr. Ingrid J. Peterson, OSF
• The Venerable Matt Talbot Resource Center
• Dublin Diocesan Matt Talbot Website

[More information about the book, The Franciscan Tradition, and its chapter on Matt Talbot can be found at http://venerablematttalbotresourcecenter.blogspot.com/2010/10/matt-talbot-and-franciscan-tradition.html

The Cause for Matt Talbot (in Fiction)

Irish writer and poet Gerry McDonnell has just published Martin Incidentally. While a novella, each chapter can also be read as a short story. 
 

One chapter is titled, “The Cause for Matt Talbot,” which begins on page 32 at  http://books.google.com/books?id=8LXZO_HuWpsC&dq=matt+talbot++sainthood&q=matt+talbot#v=snippet&q=matt%20talbot&f=false. The entire chapter, however, is not available for preview.


Update:  Upon request a complete copy of this chapter can be emailed to you from gerrypoet@gmail.com or us at http://venerablematttalbotresourcecenter.blogspot.com


Another post related to a Matt Talbot radio play by Gerry is available at  http://venerablematttalbotresourcecenter.blogspot.com/2014/12/an-opportunity-to-produce-venerable.html

A Link to Avoid

In our continuous search for information about Venerable Matt Talbot, the following  web link and information was found:

“Matt Talbot book downloads | pekeiyar - From our blog pekeiyar.blog.com/2013/04/27/matt-talbot-book-downloads/‎Apr 27, 2013 – pekeiyar. Writing away with Blog.com. Search ... Please note that this 40 page book can now be viewed or downloaded free at.'”

Fortunately, our Venerable Matt Talbot Resource Center’s antivirus denied access to the supposed free download of Eddie Doherty’s book, Matt Talbot. A random search of other book downloads at this site also resulted in denied access. Therefore, please avoid this site.

As to this particular book, which is not available to download, we have previously posted information about this author and book at http://venerablematttalbotresourcecenter.blogspot.com/2007/12/eddie-doherty-biographer-of-matt-talbot.html.

Novena Mass for Those Suffering From Addiction

Mass and prayers for healing especially for those suffering from addiction and their families in St. Agatha’s Church (http://www.stagathasparish.ie/), North William Street, begin 3^rd May 2013 and every First Friday at 7.30 pm. 

The Parish Team includes Fr. Brian Lawless, Vice-Postulator of the Cause for the Beatification and Canonization of Venerable Matt Talbot.




 
                             St Agatha's Church

St. Jude Prayer for Addiction

 

A prayer for the intercession of Venerable Matt Talbot for those suffering from addiction (found, for example, at http://www.matttalbot.ie/prayers.htm and http://www.matttalbot.ie/petitions.htm) does not preclude a prayer for the intercession of St. Jude, patron saint of hopeless causes and desperate situations.

“God in heaven, help me to know your love includes me, even when I fail. Open my heart to your healing power. Come, Lord Jesus, and calm the waters of my soul just as you whispered “peace” to the stormy sea. St. Jude, most holy apostle, in my need I cry out to you. I pray that you will intercede for me so that I may find strength to overcome my weakness. Bless me with your mercy, and bless all those who struggle with addiction. Touch them, heal them, reassure them of the Father’s constant love. Remain at my side, St. Jude, to chase away all evil temptations, fears, and doubts. May the quiet assurance of your loving presence illuminate the darkness in my heart and bring lasting peace. Amen.

Post your prayer or petition below for those suffering from addiction. Or if you would like, send your special intentions for those suffering from addiction to the altar of St. Jude at the National Shrine of St. Jude where it will be prayed for by the Claretians."

There might also be value in reading some of the prayers or petitions of others at 563 Comments »

Source: http://blog.shrineofstjude.org/post/st-jude-prayer-for-addiction/comment-page-6/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Secret of Granby Lane

This 1960’s one-half hour syndicated television drama about Matt Talbot at

http://archive.org/details/TheSecretOfGranbyLane

is from an anthology series presented by The Hour of St. Francis. It was produced by Father Hugh Noonan, OFM (1907-1974) of Los Angeles, who had created a radio program with the same name years before. The host of this drama is American actor, Stephen McNally (1913-1994).

 

Although Matt collapsed and died on Granby Lane in Dublin on Trinity Sunday, 7 June 1925, his “secret” in the title was not actually identified until his body was taken to Jervis Street Hospital. 

 

Some comments in reference to this program are available at http://www.reddit.com/r/stopdrinking/comments/1bclu2/perspectives_on_the_secret_of_granby_lane/

Prayer for Recovery from Addiction

by Anonymous

http://nccatoday.org/be-the-food-to-make-me-strong/



How much time has passed since I really felt free?

My shackles seem locked tight and I can

think of nothing but the endless days and

nights before me.

When will peace return?

Looking in a mirror, I weep to see myself old

and worn.

“Once more, then I’ll stop. Once again and

no more…”

But today

I met you unexpectedly, God. I can’t say why,

But I felt your presence.


Lord, you are the only one who can heal me.

You can break my shackles of addiction;

I’m too weak to break them myself.

Show me your power, mercy, and tenderness.

Forgive my craziness and uncertainty.

Be the Food that will make me strong enough

to say “No” and walk away.

Let me look at you with the clear eyes of

new-found faith, and believe in a new day

dawning. Amen.

Matt on his Knees

This image of Matt Talbot is most appropriate since he spent his non-work related time on his knees praying, be it at home, in church, or waiting for the church doors to open. (His pants had slits at the knees so they touched the kneeling surface.)

                                               

Source: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Matt-Talbot/304690079653019

The Hole Within

Source:  http://beautifulangle.homestead.com/poster48.html