Venerable Matthew Talbot Won
Sobriety With Faith
http://www.bigccatholics.com/2017/06/venerable-matthew-talbot-won-sobriety.html
"For anyone who has ever struggled with alcoholism,
it should come as no surprise that Matthew Talbot, who sank to the depths of
heavy drinking and soul crushing despair, also rose, through his struggle for
sobriety, to the heights that the Church calls “venerable.” His story is an
inspiration, not only to recovering alcoholics, but to anyone struggling with a
seemingly overwhelming obsession.
Matt Talbot was
born in Dublin, Ireland in 1856, the second of twelve children of Charles and
Elizabeth Talbot. He began drinking when he was only 12 years old. after
becoming a messenger for liquor merchants. In fact, with the exception of his
oldest brother, all the Talbot men, father and sons, drank to excess
often.
For the next 15 years,
Talbot continued to drink heavily. It wasn’t until he was 28 that he finally
"hit bottom" and promised his mother he would "take the pledge." Her reply was
prescient: "May God give you strength to keep it." Matt went to confession and
attended daily Mass. He prayed as intensely as he used to
drink.
From that time forward,
Talbot was a changed man. He began to pray and attend Mass with the same zeal he
had formerly devoted to drinking. In 1891, at the age of 35, he joined the Third
Order of St. Francis. Once known for his drunken rages, he instead became known
for piety, humility, and generosity. His drinking had compromised his health and
he suffered from kidney and heart ailments.
On June 7, 1925, Matthew Talbot collapsed and died
as he was walking to Mass on Trinity Sunday. Matthew Talbot was declared
venerable by Pope Paul VI in 1973. His feast day is June 18th.
Lord, in your
servant, Matt Talbot you have given us a wonderful example of triumph over
addiction, of devotion to duty, and of lifelong reverence for the Holy
Sacrament. May his life of prayer and penance give us courage to take up our
crosses and bravely follow Our Lord, Jesus Christ."
