The books in his bare tenement room were discovered, along with many scraps of paper on which he had written. I ask for an intersession for my son who is struggling, his god sent friend saved his life last nightv. He took up fulltime work at the age of twelve with a wine merchant. Living through desperate times, politically and economically, with ample excuse to become an alcoholic, which he did, venerable matt talbot overcame his addiction through the help of god. Fifty years later pope paul vi gave him the title venerable. Though he lived alone for most of his life, talbot did live with his mother for a time. Matt talbots story is one of hope and encouragement to anyone suffering from addiction. Matt talbot interceded for all of the addictions in our world. Excerpt from the beginning of matt talbot though matt talbot s life is an encouraging success story particularly for addicts, his meaning in the modern world extends far beyond being the patron of recovering alcoholics. When they went to prepare his body, they found chains wrapped around his body super awesome saintly sayings from ven. Loyola press is a catholic publisher offering 3minute retreat, books, ministry resources.
Matt talbot 2 may 1856 7 june 1925 was an irish ascetic revered by many catholics for his. The life of the venerable matt talbot most merciful jesus. Today we pray the second day of our novena to matt talbot for alcoholics. This 20 rosary features green glass beads with a touch of gold and has a crucifix with venerable matt talbot medal attached. He was baptised in the procathedral on 5 th may 1868 having attended school for only one year, matt got his first job. But it permits him to be called the holy servant of god. Prayer for the beatification of venerable matt talbot. Venerable matt talbot june 18 venerable matt talbot. Venerable matt talbot can be considered the patron of men and women struggling with alcoholism. The venerable matt talbot resource center exists to compile writings about the life, times, conversion, and recovery from alcoholism of matt talbot 18561925 of dublin, ireland. In 1975, and after the due process had been completed, that same cleric, now pope paul vi, bestowed a new title upon that irish workman.
Venerable matt talbot matt can be considered the patron of men and women struggling with alcoholism. Venerable matt talbot feast day june 17th patron of those suffering with addictions the second oldest of twelve children, matt talbot was born on may 2, 1856 in dublin, ireland. Matt talbot was born on the 2nd may 1856 at, aldborough court in the parish of st. In looking at the life of matt talbot, we may easily focus on the later years when he had stopped drinking for some time and was leading a penitential life. Matt talbots life, eddie doherty, experienced newspaperman and author. Venerable matt talbot association of independent readers. His life continues to inspire countless people today who suffer.
The venerable matt talbot 18561925 1856 matt talbot was born on 2 nd may to elizabeth and charles talbot at alderborough court, north strand. Through gods graces and his efforts, he stayed away from alcohol for 41 years. The simple irish dock worker matt talbot is beloved around the world for his incredible story as a recovered alcoholic. After a few years of schooling, matt obtained work as a messenger for some liquor merchants. Matt was one of dublins poor he lived in a tenement, wore second hand cloths, died in. Then one day an unanticipated conversion transformed him and he became a model penitent. The venerable matt talbot 1856 1925 was the second of twelve children. When we call upon the saints, we give our prayers an extra boost of intercessory power, and our own faith is bolstered in the process. Matt talbot, patron saint of alcoholism medal, history. No one knew how deep his love and devotion to christ and his church were until his death. On one of those scraps was written the following prayer.
Online shopping from a great selection at books store. Pope paul vi declared him to be venerable matt talbot, which is a step on the lengthy road to sainthood. His life would have gone unnoticed were it not for the cords. Venerable matt talbot 1856 1925 from his early teens until age 28 matt s only aim in life had been liquor. Venerable matt talbot and the blessed mother figurine by timothy schmalz. As a child of a poor family in dublin, matt had to forgo school for a job. Matt talbot, patron saint of alcoholism medal, history and serenity prayer card. This book has really, really interested me in the life and legacy of venerable matt talbot. The anniversary of the death of venerable matt talbot. June 18 2015 venerable matt talbot june perhaps no one has done more to address the issue of alcoholism than venerable matt talbot. After 1923 his health failed, and matt was forced to quit work. Venerable matt talbot shows the power of christ in overcoming. Let us remember to pray through the intercession of matt talbot when we are in need of help. The alcoholic who became a saint, venerable matt talbot.
Venerable matt talbot 1856 1925 from his early teens until age 28 matts only aim in life had been liquor. Let the venerable matt talbot be our example, who trusted the lord completely. The venerable matt talbot 2 may 1856 7 june 1925 was an irish ascetic who is revered by many catholics for his piety, charity and mortification of the flesh talbot was an unskilled labourer. Beloved, for this difficult time, we need the power of the lord and his grace to be able to read the signs of the times, just like matt talbot, so please let us unite in prayer. 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 most holy sacrament. It contains the books owned by venerable matt talbot. God of mercy, we bless you in the name of your son, jesus christ, who ministered to all who come to him. One day matt had an experience of grace that caused him to turn his life over to god, and break free from his drinking habit. If verified as authentic, that would allow matt talbot to be declared blessed, one step under from being declared a saint. Official prayer for the canonization of matt talbot. On 3 october 1975 pope paul vi declared him to be venerable matt talbot, which is a step on the road to. Many sketches and books about matt talbot note that he became a secular franciscan after his conversion and alcoholism recovery began. Lot of 5 venerable matt talbot pray for us 1 medals silver oxidized made in italy. He joined the secular franciscan order and began a life of strict penance.
As a result, matt attended formal school only from the ages of eleven. There is a large trunk in the safe keeping of the archdiocese of dublin. The placing of information on this site from external linked sources does not necessarily imply agreement with that information. The story of venerable matthew matt talbot and his conversion is one of them. Lot of 5 venerable matt talbotpray for us 1 medals silver oxidized made in italy. This little booklet by fr tom ryan offers support to people who suffer from problems with alcohol, drugs, gambling, overspending, overeating, overworking. Mary purcells touching and well written biography of venerable matt talbot, the dublin bluecollar workman, whose slavery to drink and unquenchable and relentless addiction robbed a large part of his childhood and early adulthood, is a striking story of one mans battle against his demonsthe plaguing obsession for alcoholic consumption. Venerable matt talbot was a typical irishman who lived and worked in dublin at the turn of the nineteenth century. As the story goes, he once even stole a fiddle from a street entertainer to sell for drinking money. His family was poor and the men in his family were heavy drinkers. On an otherwise blank page in one of matts books, the following is written. Matt talbot, ofs was born in dublin in 1856 and died of a heart attack there in 1925 while walking to mass. Venerable matt talbot, patron saint of alcoholics the. He was one of twelve children born into extreme poverty in the tenements of dublin, ireland.
Matt was born in dublin, where his father worked on the docks and had a difficult time supporting his family. Then he moved to a whisky distillery and thereafter, various construction sites. To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up. The venerable matt talbot, ofs 2 may 1856 7 june 1925 was an irish ascetic revered by many catholics for his piety, charity and mortification of the flesh. Matt supported his sobriety with traditional catholic disciplines such as prayer, frequent communion, weekly confession, spiritual reading, fasting, and service. Matt can be considered the patron of men and women struggling with alcoholism.
May they know gods pity, and by his grace attain liberty. The authors genuine love for this holy man of dublin, a veritable urban. Venerable matt talbot, patron saint of alcoholics the word among. Matt talbot is hailed as a patron of addicts and alcoholics, having ceased his own drinking through prayer in 1884 when he was 28 years old born on may 2, 1856, in dublin ireland, matt talbot started to drink alcohol when he was about 12 years old, following in the footsteps of his father, a known alcoholic. Matt talbot was born may 2, 1856, the second of twelve children born to charles and elizabeth talbot. The venerable matt talbot was an irish ascetic who is revered by many catholics for his piety, charity and mortification of the flesh. Gifts by lulee, llc venerable matt talbot prayer for overcoming alcoholism. In 1891, matt found community support by joining the franciscan third order. Mary purcells touching and well written biography of venerable matt talbot, the dublin.
He had three sisters and nine brothers, three of whom died young. He also seems to have taken guidance from a wise spiritual director, but the persons name is not known. This article provides some information about the secular franciscan and the names of other wellknown or famous secular franciscans. The authors genuine love for this holy man of dublin, a veritable urban mystic, is authentic. Matt certainly sought to answer that call in his life and the grace of god transformed him in the process. Saint of the day 7 june venerable matt talbot ofs 1856 1925 born matthew talbot layman, ascetic, mystic known as the saint in overalls and the workers saint, disciple of eucharistic adoration and the blessed virgin patron of struggling and recovering addicts and alcoholics and many addiction treatment programs, retreats. The writing, however, is, for lack of a better word, odd. Venerable matt talbot, pray for those who weep and sigh, those chained to a cruel fate, suffering because of addictions. Matt talbot you are remembered in my prayers especially at massplease v. Kansas miracle moves matt talbot closer to sainthood. Matthew talbot was born on may 2, 1856, the second of 12 siblings, in dublin, ireland. To this day, many men, women and children come to the tomb in order to seek the prayerful assistance of this modern day man of holiness and witness to the grace of god, matt talbot. He was born in dublin, where his father worked on the docks and had a. Venerable matt talbot 18561925 is the patron saint of alcoholics.