Venerable Matt Talbot

Matt Talbot can be considered the patron of men and women struggling with alcoholism.

Born in Dublin in 1856, his father worked on the docks and had a difficult time supporting his family. After a few years of schooling, Matt obtained work as a messenger for some liquor merchants; there he began to drink excessively and soon became an alcoholic. For 15 years, until he was 30, he drank heavily.

But one day he decided to take 'the pledge' for three months, make a general Confession and begin to attend daily Mass. There is evidence that Matt's first seven years after taking the pledge were especially difficult. Avoiding his former drinking places was hard. He began to pray as intensely as he used to drink. He also tried to pay back people from whom he had borrowed or stolen money while he was drinking.

Most of his life Matt worked as a builder's labourer. He joined the Secular Franciscan Order and from then on began a life of strict penance. He abstained from meat nine months a year and spent hours every night reading the Bible and the lives of the saints. He also prayed the rosary regularly. Though his job did not make him rich, Matt contributed generously to the missions.

After 1923 his health failed and Matt had to quit his job. He died two years later on his way to church on Trinity Sunday. In 1973 Pope Paul VI gave him the title Venerable.

For more information on the legacy of Matt Talbot see: www.matttalbotretreats.org/