Venerable Matt Talbot’s “Feast Day”

Matt Talbot was an ordinary poor, Dublin working man, an unskilled laborer with very limited education who struggled with alcoholism. But through the grace of God, Matt was able to overcome his addiction and live a life of heroic holiness, virtue and charity.

He is a great witness that even in addiction, there is hope. May we ask Matt to help those we know in our families and community who are struggling with addictions.

May we also ask God to raise this humble working man to the list of Saints in the Church for he is surely already in heaven.

Matt’s “Feast Day” is commemorated on June 19.

 Venerable Matt Talbot, pray for us

A Homily that Highlights the Life of Venerable Matt Talbot

In an Easter homily on resurrection by Fr. Dan Fickes at St. Joseph Parish in Avon Lake, Ohio, he discusses the Venerable Matt Talbot, OFS as a former alcoholic who became known as an Irish ascetic revered by many Catholics for his piety, charity and mortification of the flesh. 

This video was posted on Apr 25, 2019 at

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwsZkgW0wrc

Expanded Venerable Matt Talbot Coverage

Our friend, Gregory Jakielski, is expanding his efforts in providing information about Venerable Matt Talbot.

In addition to providing free Matt Talbot prayer cards in multiple countries, he has had (and continues to have) a Facebook Page and blog in Polish and a Facebook Page in English for some years.

Last week Gregory created an English blog about Matt Talbot primarily for those who do not use Facebook. This new blog (http://venerablematttalbot.blogspot.com) will essentially duplicate information formally found only on his Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/pg/VenerableMattTalbot/photos/?ref=page_internal)

Note: 

While we periodically post the same content, http://venerablematttalbot.blogspot.com and

https://venerablematttalbotresourcecenter.blogspot.com are separate entities created and maintained by different

individuals in different countries.

94th Anniversary of the Death of Matt Talbot

Today is the 94th Anniversary of the death of Matt Talbot. He died as he was walking to another church for Sunday Mass on Granby Lane, Dublin. 

A narrated video can be viewed at https://youtu.be/LUiPjWFs-iE

Enhancing Recovery with The Calix Society

Twenty two years after the death of Matt Talbot, the Calix Society (https://www.calixsociety.org/) was founded in the United States to help recovering Catholic alcoholics. Pope (now St.) Paul VI, who declared Matt Talbot “Venerable,” recognized the value of this society in 1974.

Recovering Alcoholics Find Higher Power in the Chalice”

By Patty Knap 

http://www.ncregister.com/blog/pattyknap/recovering-alcoholics-find-higher-power-in-the-chalice

“AA restores your health and keeps you from an early grave. Calix saves your soul and puts you on the road to heaven.” —William J. Montroy, Calix Society co-forre VIunder.”

Alcoholics Anonymous offers incalculable support and guidance for thousands of people each year. Often the life-changing impact leads participants to seek a stronger relationship with God outside of AA. A Catholic organization for recovering alcoholics is helping them do just that.

The Calix Society is a Christ-centered recovery support group. Calix means “chalice” in Latin.

A group of recovering alcoholics in Minneapolis founded the Calix Society in 1947, after meeting weekly at the 5:30 a.m. Mass to pray for an alcoholic priest friend. Realizing their Catholic faith was the surest path to serenity without alcohol, they founded the organization and soon affiliated units sprang up in 70 cities, even without a central office, website or literature. Today there are 33 “units,” or chapters, across the U.S., one in Ireland and one in England. Each chapter is established with the permission of the local diocesan bishop.

Calix complements and extends the recovery efforts of AA and Al-Anon through prayer and the sacraments. In addition to the support of meetings and recovering friends, frequent reception of Holy Communion, confession, personal prayer, Holy Hours, Days of Recollection and retreats foster sanctification of the whole person.

Only when the recovering person achieves some measure of sobriety is he or she ready for Calix. The “credo” of the society tells the story: “Calix is an association of Catholic alcoholics who are maintaining their sobriety through affiliation with and participation in the Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous.” Co-patrons of the Calix Society are Our Lady of Recovery and Venerable Matt Talbot.

The group’s primary concern is motivating a virtue of total abstinence in Catholics with an alcoholic problem. The second stated purpose is promoting spiritual development. Association and conversation together are meant to be a source of inspiration and encouragement to each other, geared toward growth in spiritual maturity.

Five Friends on Long Island

On Long Island, a group of five Chaminade Catholic High School alumni had already been meeting to support each other in their sobriety. “It’s fairly common for an AA member to have fallen away from or even completely abandoned his faith,” one member shared. “AA has a 'higher power' or 'God as you believe God to be. It’s non-denominational and everyone understands that. Well we believe God to be Jesus Christ, and we find it’s impossible without Him to stay sober. We wanted to be able to talk about God.” The five friends approached their former school in Mineola, New York, for space for a monthly retreat, and have been meeting weekly there ever since.

The monthly meetings included reading the Gospel and praying the Rosary. At some point one of the men heard about the Calix Society, and wondered if becoming part of it could reinforce what they were already doing. They contacted the central office to inquire about becoming a local unit, and then contacted the bishop for his permission to begin in the Diocese of Rockville Centre.

One member had been in AA for 14 years “but he was really angry at God,” a member said. “He'd been through some tough stuff. He hadn’t been to confession in 27 years. Over two years with Calix, he changed completely.”

Substituting the Cup That Sanctifies for the Cup That Stupefies
“I had a hard enough time recovering with God,” said Tom, who helped form the new Calix unit. “I can’t possibly imagine doing this without him, and without the Eucharist.”  

Tom has been sober for 16 years and found AA helpful in correcting the character flaws that fueled his addiction, and guiding him toward a more fulfilling life.

“While AA does reference God throughout the literature and step work, direct reference to religion is not encouraged,” he said. “The ‘Higher Power’ is left to be viewed by each member individually.”

“As years passed though, I began to increasingly feel that there was something missing in my life. I knew in my heart that it was my connection to God but did nothing to confront those feelings. I believe now that it was my guilt that had never really been addressed with Him that was blocking that connection.”

Then a good friend introduced him to Calix, simply saying it was a group of Catholic AA members focused on improving their conscious contact with God. “This seemed to be worth exploring and so I attended my first meeting. I had no idea at the time that my life would change from that day forward.”

“I was a bit apprehensive that my absence from the church and formal religion would be frowned upon but that was not at all the case. I was welcomed and encouraged to share openly about that fear from the start... I became hungry to learn more and more and found what had been missing in my life — my connection with God.

“Through the encouragement of the group, I also found the strength to go to confession for the first time in over 30 years. The feeling of peace was overwhelming. Before long, I found myself wanting more and began to attend Mass and receive the Eucharist every Sunday. I also learned the Rosary and recite it regularly with some of the men in the group every Tuesday before our meeting.

“I am a work in progress and don’t claim to be a model Catholic, but my family and friends have noticed the changes in me and my interaction with them. Calix has filled a void in my life and I look forward to continued participation!”

Relationship Between St. Paul VI and Venerable Matt Talbot

 

Today is a first feast day of St. Paul VI. He was canonized in 2018.

 

On 3 October 1975, Pope Paul VI proclaimed the treatise on the heroic virtues of Matt Talbot, giving the Dublin worker and recovered alcoholic the title of "Venerable."

 

Statue and Photograph of Venerable Matt Talbot

James Power's statue of Venerable Matt Talbot in Dublin near Talbot Memorial Bridge, with the only known photograph of Matt inserted.

May 2019 Images of Venerable Matt Talbot by Terry Nelson

 

Last month we posted Terry Nelson’s latest image of Matt Talbot at

http://venerablematttalbotresourcecenter.blogspot.com/2019/04/terry-nelsons-painting-of-young-matt.html

 

Yesterday (May 11, 2019), Terry posted two different lighting of this Matt Talbot image, which he titled "One more attempt: Matt Talbot" at

https://abbey-roads.blogspot.com/2019/05/one-more-attempt-matt-talbot.html

 

Matt Talbot

T. Nelson

acrylic on 5x7 panel.

Brighter-light shot:

Matt Talbot

T. Nelson

acrylic on 5"x7" panel.

The top image is a bit colder but closer to the original as it looks in natural light.  The 2nd image is shot using artificial lighting.  I am not a photographer, to be sure.  I wanted make an attempt to do a painting more closely resembling the only known photograph of Venerable Matt Talbot.

Painting of Venerable Matt Talbot

This painting by Diane Rtemi was received and posted 4/25/19 by Gregory at https://www.facebook.com/VenerableMattTalbot/photos/a.305602539561773/2109824655806210/?type=3&theater
It will go to the Parish of Saint Hedwig of Silesia in Stara Biala in Poland.

“One is never too young to learn about Venerable Matt Talbot”

 

Photograph taken at the Shrine (and mortal remains) of Venerable Matt Talbot located at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Sean McDermott Street, Dublin.

Urgent Appeal to Support the Matt Talbot Website Domain

Gregory posted the (slightly edited) following urgent message at https://www.facebook.com/VenerableMattTalbot/

“Last year I registered the matttalbot.ie domain and restored a copy of the official site created by Matt Talbot Dublin Diocesan Committee and Vice-Postulator of Matt Talbot`s Cause. Because the domain has been available for some time I saved it from domain buyers.

I corresponded with Vice Postulator Fr. Brian Lawless about this matter. The domain was to be redirected to the official site which was supposed to be created. Unfortunately until the present moment, I don`t know anything about the new official website and I don`t have contact with Fr. Lawless. He has not responded to my messages.

Soon I will have to pay the domain for another year; otherwise the domain will be lost. It would be a big loss because this domain is known and provides important information about Venerable Matt.

Therefore, I am asking everyone what to do? I do not have the funds (about $130) to pay for the domain for next year.
The best option would be to transfer the domain to a Vice- Postulator. As I mentioned I do not have contact with him. So I think the only option is to request your financial help to pay for the domain for a another year. I will be grateful for your opinions.”

Prayer to Implore the Intercession of the Saints

Paul S. in the Matt Talbot Prayer Group 

April 22, 2019
https://hozana.org/en/publication/50769-prayer-to-implore-the-intercession-of-the-saints?utm_source=user&utm_medium=email_Hozana&utm_campaign=digest

  
Defend us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, from all dangers of mind and body; that through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, Thy blessed apostles Peter and Paul, and the Venerable Matt Talbot, and all the saints, mercifully grant us safety and peace; that all adversities and defects being overcome, that we may serve Thee faithfully in mind and body. We ask you this through our Lord Jesus Christ...

Terry Nelson’s Painting of a Young Matt Talbot

Artist Terry Nelson has created very popular paintings of an aging Venerable Matt Talbot at https://abbey-roads.blogspot.com/search?q=matt+talbot (and http://venerablematttalbotresourcecenter.blogspot.com/search/label/Terry%20Nelson

Earlier this week (April 1, 2019) Terry released his latest painting of Matt as a young man with the background of the street (Granby Lane) where Matt eventually died at 69 years of age of heart failure while on his way to Mass  https://abbey-roads.blogspot.com/2019/04/my-last-attempt.html 

Thank you, Terry, for spreading greater awareness of Venerable Matt Talbot around the world through your paintings.

A Significant Venerable Matt Talbot Activist

We highly recommend following Gregory on Facebook about Venerable Matt Talbot.

Grzegorz Jakielski

https://www.facebook.com/VenerableMattTalbot/

"When I prepared 100 praying cards 7 years ago with the prayer for the beatification of Venerable Matt Talbot, I planned that it would be the first and last 100 cards that I will prepare.

But God's plan was different. I would not believe if someone told me then that after seven year I will distribute materials about Matt in such a large amount not only in Poland but also to the furthest corners of the Earth. Not only in Polish, but also foreign languages.

Because the spontaneous action "from the need of the heart" has grown to incredible proportions I officially asked my Bishop for Imprimatur for the prayer for beatification of Venerable Matt Talbot.

Translation:

Romuald Kamiński, Bishop of Warsaw-Prague

In response to a request dated 22 February 2019 after consulting the censor pursuant to the canon 827§3 and 830 of the Code of Canon Law I grant IMPRIMATUR for printing: Prayer for the beatification of Venerable Matt Talbot (for private recitation).
The following must be included in the print: With the consent of the Curia of Warsaw-Prague from 20.03.2019 with number 374(K)2019.
 

Matt Talbot: A Model of Fasting

The following is an excerpt from an article at:

http://catholicphilly.com/2017/03/catholic-spirituality/three-saints-for-the-three-pillars-of-lent/.

 

“During Lent, Catholics are asked to go beyond the fasting proscribed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday and “fast” in some way meaningful to our unique faith journey. In a culture besotted with self-care and self-indulgence, we often question whether ascetic practices like fasting are really helpful.

Venerable Matt Talbot provides an example of someone who used asceticism to help him on his journey from addiction to wholeness. Born into a large family, Talbot lived in poverty-stricken, post-famine Ireland. He began work at age 12, and that’s when a soul-consuming alcoholism took root.

At the age of 28, Talbot, with the help of a confessor, began his journey of sobriety. His abstinence was accompanied by a radical conversion. A laborer and a union man, he joined the Secular Franciscan Order, gave up another addiction — smoking — and began to lead his ordinary life with extraordinary penance and self-sacrifice.

Talbot is at the second rung of a four-step ladder to canonization. A miracle attributed to his intercession could lead to him being declared “Blessed.” But in the meantime, thousands believe he has helped them in their struggle with addiction.

All of us are attached to something that impedes spiritual growth. During Lent, fasting from a behavior — drinking, gossiping, addictive screen time — that interferes with our relationship with Jesus can lead to conversion. An attribute of Talbot was that people described him, despite his self-denial, as a very happy man.

May the discipline of fasting, the discernment of prayer and the justice of almsgiving bring us joy this Lent.”

A Lenten Journey with Venerable Matt Talbot

 

In addition to any planned Lenten reading, we encourage reading  Matt Talbot - A Lenten Journey (2014), a resource compiled by Fr. Brian Lawless, Vice-Postulator for the cause of  Venerable Matt Talbot, and Caroline Eaton. 

It can be read in its entirety at

https://www.acnireland.org/matt-talbot-a-lenten-journey/

or 
 https://issuu.com/aidtothechurchinneed/docs/matt_talbot_a_lenten_journey

"Cardinal John Henry Newman to be proclaimed a Saint"

Matt Talbot was basically illiterate when he signed a pledge not to drink, confessed his sins to a priest, and turned his life over to the care of God at the age of 28. He laboriously began to read over the years and would frequently ask his spiritual advisor about certain words and what certain passages meant.

Over the years he read his Bible, the lives of saints, and books by saints. One day, in the timber yard, at lunch break a fellow worker saw him reading a book by John Henry Newman and said, “Isn’t that difficult?” Matt simply answered that the Lord helped him.

Pope Francis to Canonize Blessed John Henry Newman

by Edward Pentin 
http://www.ncregister.com/blog/edward-pentin/blessed-newman-to-be-canonized-cardinal-mindszenty-declared-venerable

Pope Francis announced on 2 Feb 2019 a major advance in the cause of the famous 19th century English theologian and convert from Anglicanism. Blessed Cardinal John Henry Newman (1801-1890) is to be canonized following a Vatican announcement on Wednesday that the Pope had formally approved a miracle attributed to his intercession.

Oratorian Father Ignatius Harrison, postulator for Blessed John Henry’s cause, told the Register Feb. 13 that he heard the news with “enormous elation.”

Everyone at the Birmingham Oratory, which Cardinal Newman founded, is “absolutely delighted that the heroic sanctity has been recognized,” Father Harrison said, “and we look forward to many more graces with his help.”  

The papal decree comes after the Vatican last year judged the healing of a woman to be miraculous. The case relates to a law graduate in the archdiocese of Chicago who had been inexplicably healed in 2013 after praying for Blessed John Henry’s intercession while suffering from a “life-threatening pregnancy.”  The woman, whose name has yet to be made public, was inspired to pray for the intercession of the cardinal after reportedly watching a film about him on EWTN.

The mother had “unstoppable internal bleeding which threatened the life of her child in the womb,” said Father Harrison. “She had long been a devotee of Blessed John Henry, and in prayer she directly and explicitly invoked Newman's intercession to stop the bleeding.”

“The miraculous healing was immediate, complete and permanent,” Father Harrison said, adding that the “child was born normally."

The date of the canonization of Blessed John Henry has not yet been announced, but is expected to take place later this year. “We are now hoping that it will be sooner rather than later,” Father Harrison said.

The founder of the Oratory of St. Philip Neri in England, Cardinal Newman was one of the most prominent converts to the Catholic Church from Anglicanism in the 19th century and was a renowned preacher and theologian. 

The author of 40 books and 21,000 letters, his most famous are his book-length Essay on the Development of Christian Doctrine, On Consulting the Faithful in Matters of Doctrine, Apologia Pro Vita Sua — his spiritual autobiography up to 1864 — and Essay on the Grammar of Assent.

According to Monsignor Roderick Strange, a Newman scholar and author of a book entitled “John Henry Newman, A Mind Alive,”  “He’s not just some figure from the distant past but somebody who really does have something that is significant for us, still today”.

NOTE:  Two informative resources are  
http://www.newmanreader.org/

http://www.cardinaljohnhenrynewman.com/

New Book Cover Image of Venerable Matt Talbot

A new book about Venerable Matt Talbot appeared in Poland with a new image of Venerable Matt on the cover.

 

 (Thanks for the 6 February 2019 reference, Gregory, at

https://www.facebook.com/VenerableMattTalbot/photos/a.305602539561773/1993947527393924/?type=3&theater

Meeting Venerable Matt Talbot: Patron of Alcoholics

For readers who are interested in beginning to learn about Matt Talbot (1856-1925), we recommend the website created by Fr. Brian Lawless, Vice-Postulator for the Cause of Matt Talbot, and the Dublin Diocesan Matt Talbot Committee, which is now available at http://mateusztalbot.pl/talbot/index.html or www.matttalbot.ie/

This site includes the following sections:

Story:

Matt’s Early Life

The Dark Years

Matt the Worker

The Road to Recovery

Matt on Strike

Prayer and Spiritual Guidance

Matt’s Ultimate Victory

The Account of Matt’s Holiness Spreads

Videos:

Matt’s Early Life

The Dark Years

Matt’s Conversion

Matt the Worker

Death and Legacy

Prayers:

Prayer for the Canonisation of Matt Talbot

Asking Matt’s Help in the Presence of the Lord

Contact:

Private Message: https://www.facebook.com/VenerableMattTalbot/
E-Mail Message about Matt Talbot mateusztalbot@wp.pl

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/VenerableMattTalbot/

www.twitter.com/venmatttalbot

http://venerablematttalbotresourcecenter.blogspot.com/

Venerable Matt Talbot Readership by Countries

Some writers maintain that the name of Matt Talbot is not well

known outside of Ireland. That may remain true for certain countries but less so for others.

Pope Francis’ visit to Ireland in August 2018 and kissing a Matt Talbot relic surely increased awareness of Matt worldwide, especially for Catholics.

To see what the top ten countries are that have read about Matt Talbot posted on our Venerable Matt Talbot Resource Center blog over the past eight years indicates the following ranking: United States (53%), Russia, Ireland, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Ukraine, Canada, Poland, and China.

Viewing just this past month's readership about Matt Talbot, the United States and Russia far exceeded Singapore, Poland, United Kingdom, Ireland, Japan, Canada, Germany, and Unknown Region.