Who Is The Patron Saint Of Alcoholics

Venerable Matt Talbot, Patron Saint of Alcoholics

Every period and circumstance has been tough, and throughout the history of humanity and the Church, God has risen up saints to be with us and to help us through it. They are members of the same body as us, the church of Jesus Christ. We may learn a lot from them since they lived lives and confronted difficulties that are extremely comparable to our own. The saints assist us in our prayers by providing an extra boost of intercessory power, and our own faith is strengthened as a result of this.

Five such persons are brought to the foreground as guides on our mission of compassion, mercy, and hope for those we know who are addicted to drugs or alcohol.

Faustina, Venerable Matt Talbot, St.

Augustine, and St.

  1. Venerable Matt Talbot is a writer who lives in the United Kingdom.
  2. One of twelve children, he was raised in tenements in the Irish capital Dublin, under conditions of great poverty.
  3. Consequently, Matt only attended formal school from the ages of eleven to twelve, and was unable to read or write at the time.
  4. This unhealthful mix seems to have sealed his doom.
  5. He was squandering all of his money on booze and neglecting to provide for his family, which was still in terrible need.
  6. A fateful Saturday afternoon in 2010, after twelve years of heavy drinking, Matt found himself without a job, without a drink, and without a buddy who could assist him in finding a job.
  7. The tremendous clarity of his intellect and emotions allowed him to see that he had been squandering his life for far too long.

Matt had already taken the choice to stop drinking by the time he arrived at his residence.

He returned after six months and then made the commitment to stay for the rest of his life—but it was not easy!

Matt, on the other hand, was able to sustain his sobriety through a rehabilitation program that was built on daily Mass, devotion to the Eucharist, a devotion to Mary, as well as spiritual reading.

Once converted, he went on to live in the middle of the bustling city life that whirled around him, a life of peaceful devotion, purity, and tremendous generosity in both spirit and material possessions.

Although there is now no cause for sainthood available for Matt Talbot’s mother, Elizabeth, it is possible that one will arise in the future.

Her family was in desperate need of her prayers, and she had little money and hardly a roof over her head.

She accepted employment and clung to the notion that her family would be able to overcome its difficulties.

“Never be too severe on a man who is unable to give up his drinking,” Matt Talbot is frequently cited as having said.

However, for our Lord, both are conceivable and even simple.

God, you provide us with the example of Venerable.

In a split second, you pierced his heart and shifted his perspective, bringing him back to you.

Amen.” Please keep in mind that Matt Talbot was designated “Venerable” by Pope Paul VI in 1975. A portion of this passage is taken from Anne Costa’s book, Praying for Those Suffering from Addictions (The Word Among Us Press, 2016). Wau.org/books has a collection of books.

Is Mary of Magdala the Patron Saint of Alcoholics?

The Rev. Dr. Jean McCurdy Meade contributed to this article. M After another Mary, Mary Magdalene is the most well-known of the women mentioned in the Gospels. She is also one of the most misunderstood of all the ardent followers of Jesus who are described in the four Gospels, which makes her even more tragic. For some reason, perhaps as a result of the emphasis placed on Mary of Nazareth’s virginity when she agreed to give birth to His son, the “other” Mary, “of Magdala,” became associated with the polar opposite; she became known as a fallen, “scarlet” woman of the streets who, despite her sins, was not beyond the grace of God.

  • Mary, far from being a prostitute or a courtesan, was troubled by demons when she met Jesus, as were many others, mostly males, around the time of his birth.
  • There is no indication of her ever having been married, but she was one among the ladies of “means” who generously supported him and his fellow followers from their own private cash, according to the gospels.
  • Her commission to preach the good news to the other disciples results in her being granted the title ” Apostola apostolorum ” (Apostle of the Apostles) (Apostle to the Apostles).
  • Several scholars have suggested that she is the anonymous woman from the streets who enters Simon the Pharisee’s house and anoints Jesus’ feet while crying (Luke 7) or with another nameless woman who enters the house of Simon the Leper and anoints his head with costly ointment (Luke 7).
  • Because she bathed Jesus’ feet with valuable ointment the week before his Passion, she is frequently mistakenly connected with Mary of Bethany, sister of Martha and Lazarus (despite the fact that she could not have come from two distinct places) (John 12).
  • As a result, her seven devils were equated with sexual sins in the Christian imagination as a result of this.
  • The fact that Jesus appears in the Gospels as an exorcist and a healer of bodily maladies with which we are more familiar is comforting to the majority of us.
  • Afflictions that are otherwise unexplainable, whether scientifically or philosophically, and which are demonic in their capacity to manifest themselves without apparent reason and devastate our lives are known as demonic afflictions.
  • The traditional moniker “Demon rum” comes to mind when I think about rum.
  • Why one individual is possessed in this manner when his or her sisters or brothers, who have had the same family and upbringing, are not is beyond comprehension.

People who indulge in excess, on the other hand, may discover that they have been taken over by something demonic rather than gladsome; they may discover that something greater than their own will power has taken possession of them and is killing them as well as the lives of others around them.

Is there a tale in the Bible that relates to their predicament and that they may learn from?

Traditionally, Monica of Hippo, mother of St.

When she was assigned to fill the wine jugs for dinner, she began tippling a little, then a little more, until an old servant reprimanded her for being a wine-bibber, and she was able to put the habit behind her.

The truth is that his narrative will be extremely familiar to anybody who has ever been engaged with Alcoholics Anonymous; it can be summed in the first three stages of the Twelve Steps of AA, which were formed on January 1, 1935 in Akron, Ohio, by Bill W and Bob S:

  1. We acknowledged that we had lost control over booze and that our lives had become unmanageable. We came to believe that a Power larger than ourselves was capable of restoring us to sanity We made a decision to entrust God with our will and our life, according to our understanding of Him

We may not be familiar with the names Bill, Bob, and AA, or with the names St. Monica or Matt Talbot, but we are all familiar with the name Mary Magdalene. Her tale is a portion of Sacred Scripture for every follower of Christ, regardless of where they are or when they were born. There were seven devils in this Mary, the one from the town of Magdala, and they plagued her until she made the decision to place her trust in Jesus of Nazareth and surrender her will to him. She subsequently became his loyal disciple, benefactress, and the first messenger to announce his resurrection to the world after that.

The Rev.

Jean McCurdy Meade is a retired priest from the Diocese of Louisiana who has worked in the field of education.

A Patron Saint For Alcoholism

Venerable Matt Talbot, whose feast day is celebrated on June 19*, is revered as a patron saint for men and women who are battling alcoholism. Matt was one of thirteen children who were raised in Dublin, Ireland. His father, who worked on the docks, was an alcoholic. He died when he was nine years old. Matt was thirteen years old and had just completed a few years of formal education when he was hired to work as a courier for a group of booze dealers in his hometown. This is where he began to consume excessive amounts of alcohol.

Even though he was well-known for working hard on the job, he also “drank hard” and was known for returning home late after a night on the town with his buddies.

Matt once stated that he would occasionally think about the Mother of God and that he would even do the rosary every once in a while when he was younger.

His rehabilitation from alcoholism may have had anything to do with the prayers he offered to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

A Sobering Conversion

The following is an excerpt from the narrative by author Bert Ghezzi: “Matt’s father thrashed him and forced him to shift professions, but nothing could keep Matt from his addiction. After work, he and his friends immediately headed to the local bar. Matt squandered every dime he had on booze, and he once pawned his boots to have a drink. Surprisingly, his excessive drinking did not hinder him from putting in a productive day’s work. As for him, while he was under the influence of drugs or alcohol, he stated he would occasionally think of the Blessed Mother and pray an off-handed Hail Mary.

  1. Matt had been out of work for several days and had anticipated his friends to treat him to a night out on the town.
  2. His sister, Mary Andrews, described what happened when Matt returned home that day: “My mother remarked, “You’re home early, Matt, and you’re sober!” “Yes, mum, I am,” he said emphatically.
  3. “I’m going to make a commitment to do so.” She smiled and added, “Go, in God’s name, but don’t take it unless you intend to keep it.” She was referring to the money.
  4. A statue of Ven.
  5. He traveled to Clonliffe, where he confessed and pledged himself to the community for three months.
  6. The next morning, on Sunday, he attended Holy Communion, and on Monday, he attended Mass at 5 a.m.
  7. as normal.

However, after his job, he used to stroll to a distant church, either St.

Peter’s on Phibsboro, and remain there until bedtime in order to avoid his associates.

He had a difficult time at first and occasionally confided in my mother that he would return to drinking once the three-month period had expired.

Everyone was taken aback by his unexpected actions.

He also appears to have received advice from a competent spiritual advisor, albeit the identity of the individual is unknown.

For the remainder of his life, he lived in relative obscurity, working and praying while also pushing others to give up alcohol. On Sunday, June 7, 1925, Matt Talbot passed away while walking to Mass.”

Praying for Alcoholics

A large number of families are affected by alcoholism today, not only those directly affected by it themselves, but also those close to them who love and care for them. Those who suffer from alcoholism should pray to Venerable Matt Talbot, and those who wish to see him canonized should pray to the same person as follows: PRAYER FOR THOSE WHO ARE ADDICTED Thank you for your kindness, God, and we offer our thanks to You via Your Son, Jesus the Christ, who tended to all who came to Him. Give Your strength to those who are entangled in the web of addiction.

  1. Lord, have compassion on all of those who have lost their health and freedom because of their sins.
  2. Allow them to have patient understanding and a love that endures for those who are caring for them.
  3. Amen THE VENERABLE MATT TALBOT IS BEING PRAYED FOR TO BE CANONIZED Thank you for providing us with a magnificent example of triumph over addiction, dedication to service, and lifelong reverence for the Most Holy Sacrament in the person of your servant, Matt Talbot.
  4. If it is your intention that your loving servantshould be celebrated by your Church, Father, make known to the world the authority he possesses in your sight by means of your heavenly favors.
  5. Amen.
  6. Some parishes and communities opt to celebrate the Ven.
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Patron Saint of Alcoholics – Raging Alcoholic

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St Monica: Patron Saint of Alcoholics

This information comes mostly from the writings of Saint Augustine of Hippo, who was the mother of Saint Monica and whose writings about her are the major source of our information. She was born a Christian, but she was forced into marriage to Patricius, a hot-tempered pagan with a nasty temper. She prayed daily for the conversion of her husband (who converted on his deathbed), as well as for the conversion of her son (who converted after a wild life). She was a spiritual disciple of Saint Ambrose of Milan, and she was also a rehabilitated alcoholic, which explains why she is known as the patron saint of alcoholics.

Venerable Matt Talbot

Matt Talbot is a name that is not widely recognized outside of Ireland, but he will almost certainly be canonized in the not-too-distant future and will be designated as the patron saint of alcoholics. His holiness, Pope Paul VI, bestowed the title of Venerable upon him in 1975.From his earliest years until the age of twenty-four, Matt Talbot was a very heavy drinker, and it was apparent that he was an alcoholic. His mother was greatly distressed as a result of this development. Every week, he used the majority of his pay check to buy booze.

In order to support his habit, he pawned his clothing and boots in order to obtain money for booze.

The majority of Talbot’s early occupations were with liquor merchants, where he had easy access to alcoholic beverages.

After being successful in his first try, he made a one-year commitment, followed by a lifelong commitment.

Despite strong temptations, he never drank another drop of alcohol. Read more about Matt Talbot at:Catholic News Agency on Matt Talbot Wikipedia on Matt TalbotHome:Raging Alcoholic For the rest of his life, however, abstinence remained a spiritual and psychological battle for him.

What Was St. Matthias the Apostle the Patron Of?

Saint Matthias the Apostle is a patron saint of alcoholics and alcoholics-in-recovery. He was also the man chosen by early Christians to replace Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus Christ’s first apostles who betrayed him and committed suicide following the death of Judas Iscariot. As well as carpenters and tailors, St. Matthias is the patron saint of persons who are struggling with any form of addiction (whether to alcohol or anything else), as well as caretakers for those who are addicted to something.

The Life of Saint Matthias the Apostle

During the first century, he resided in ancient Judea (now Israel), ancient Cappadocia (now Turkey), Egypt, and Ethiopia, among other places. Matthias highlighted the necessity of self-control when presenting the Gospel message to the congregation. People must subjugate their bodily appetites to their spiritual desires, according to Matthias, in order to enjoy the serenity and pleasure that God intended for them to have. When compared to the spiritual soul, the physical body is transient and vulnerable to numerous temptations to sin and sicknesses, but the spiritual soul is permanent and capable of disciplining the physical body for beneficial purposes During his sermon, Matthias stated that the Holy Spirit will enable individuals to develop self-control over their harmful bodily impulses in order to have excellent health in both body and spirit.

Matthias Replaces Judas

The Bible explains how the individuals who had been closest to Jesus (his disciples and mother Mary) picked Matthias to replace Judas after Jesus went to heaven in the book of Acts 1. They were led by Saint Peter the Apostle in a prayer for God’s direction, and they ultimately chose Matthias as their leader. Matthias had a close relationship with Jesus throughout his public career, from the time Saint John the Baptist baptized Jesus through the time of Jesus’ crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension.

A patron saint for those suffering from alcoholism?

17th of April, 2014 Matt Talbot is a name that is not widely recognized outside of Ireland, but he will almost certainly be canonized in the not-too-distant future and will be designated as the patron saint of alcoholics. Pope Paul VI canonized him in 1975 and designated him a Venerable. Matt Talbot was born in Dublin, Ireland, in May 1856, into a working-class family. Ireland was still reeling from the effects of the horrific famine that had struck the country in the mid-1840s. A time of crushing poverty and horrible living conditions, particularly in the bigger cities, characterized this period.

  • Talbot’s father and elder brothers were big drinkers, and so was Talbot himself.
  • Matt Talbot was a habitual drinker and plainly an alcoholic from his adolescence until the age of twenty-four, when he committed suicide.
  • Every week, he used the majority of his pay check to buy booze.
  • In order to support his habit, he pawned his clothing and boots in order to obtain money for booze.
  • The majority of his occupations during that period were with liquor merchants, which allowed him to have ready access to alcoholic beverages.
  • After being successful in his first try, he made a one-year commitment, followed by a lifelong commitment.
  • Abstinence, on the other hand, remained for the rest of his life a grueling spiritual and psychological fight for him.

Early Irish monks, whose life were incredibly austere and arduous, served as inspiration for him.

Francis de Sales, and literature such as the Confessions of St.

Secular priests at the diocesan seminary served as his spiritual advisers, and one of them gave him a chain to wear continuously around his waist as a symbol of penance.

He was laid to rest at Glasnevin Cemetery the following day.

He was widely regarded as a saint by the general public.

In 1972, his ashes were unearthed and interred in Our Lady of Lourdes Church, which was located in the neighborhood where Matt had lived much of his life.

Since then, Talbot’s devotion has grown among alcoholics and their families around the world, and many of his followers look forward to his canonization in the near future.

Two books that I would recommend are: Eddie Doherty’s Matt Talbot (Combermere, Ontario: Madonna House Publications, 2001); and Tom Ryan’s Comfort My People: Prayers and Reflections Inspired by the Venerable Matt Talbot (Combermere, Ontario: Madonna House Publications, 2001).

Matt Talbot is a writer who lives in the United Kingdom (Dublin: Veritas, 2001).

Patrons and Saints to Pray to for Addiction Recovery

We Catholics appear to have a patron saint for just about everything, it seems. But, have you ever wondered whether there is a patron saint that is specifically dedicated to addiction? Several were discovered throughout my investigation. Hopefully, at least one of these will strike a chord with you. Saint Maximillian Mary Kolbe is perhaps the most well-known patron saint of those suffering from addiction (1894-1941). Max, as he is lovingly known in my family, was a Franciscan Friar who lived in Poland during the Middle Ages.

  1. He wrote publications and had a radio program, utilizing the most cutting-edge modes of communication available at the time (I’m confident that if he were still living now, he would have a blog and podcast!).
  2. Maximillian was sent to Auschwitz in 1941 after being entangled in the Nazi regime’s ethnic cleansing of Poland.
  3. The deputy camp commander picked 10 detainees to be killed in order to deter future escapes after a prisoner managed to get out of his cell.
  4. My children!” said one of the guys who had been chosen.
  5. This replacement was approved by the officer.
  6. According to an eyewitness, the guys were singing hymns and praying when they were attacked.
  7. After two weeks, Maximillian was the only one who remained.

Perhaps it was at this point, when he was injected with a potentially lethal drug, that we decided to seek Kolbe’s assistance in overcoming addiction.

When it comes to addicts, we may propose a lesser-known saint, which is especially important in light of the present opioid problem.

As a doctor, he provided free medical care to the impoverished.

He became hopelessly hooked as a result of this.

He eventually received absolution from his confessor, who declined to do so due to his continuous usage of drugs (addiction had not yet been recognized as a disease).

Even though he was never able to break free from his addiction, Ji continued to develop in faith and purity.

During the Boxer Rebellion in China in 1900, Ji and the majority of his family were apprehended and slaughtered.

The feast day of Saint Mark Ji, who had his request for martyrdom fulfilled, is celebrated on the 7th of July.

His first work was as a courier for a wine bottling firm, when he began consuming alcohol at the age of 12, when he was still in elementary school.

It was the first seven years of his recovery that were the most difficult.

When he died, his body was discovered to be encircled in penitential chains.

If he is declared a saint, his feast day will be celebrated on June 19th.

Monica, and her prayers).

Those who are battling with overeating might seek the guidance of Saint Charles Borromeo (1538-1584).

His feast day is on the 3rd of November.

Do you know of any other patron saints for persons who are battling with addictions who aren’t featured on this list?

Celeste is a wife, mother, and grandma who lives in Louisiana’s Cajun Country with her husband and three children.

She has been a practicing Catholic for her whole life and is dedicated to preaching the Gospel through small group formation programs. In addition to being a recovered food addict (who lives by the motto “If you can’t stop at one, have none! “), she is a passionate knitter and a believer in God.

St. Monica Novena – Sober Catholic

Mike, over at What Does Mike Think?, reminded me that the Novena to St. Monica will begin on August 18th, which is the day after tomorrow. She was St. Augustine’s mother, and he was named for her. It has been said that St. Monica is the patron saint of “alcoholics, married women, mothers, wives and marriages in difficulty.” My buddy Number 9, who blogs atCatholic Alcoholic, explains why she is considered a patron saint of alcoholics. She says: “Augustine recounts just one event from Monica’s adolescence, which was evidently told to him by her herself, in which she was on the verge of becoming a wine bibber, but was saved when her hidden sips in the wine cellar were found and a maid, in a fit of rage, labeled her a “drunkard.” This searing scolding compelled her to alter her conduct and learn to persevere in her endeavors.

  • In addition, I’m wondering whether she’s a patron to individuals who are suffering as a result of someone else’s alcoholism or addiction.
  • She is also well-known for praying for the conversion of her son, St.
  • Approximately how many parents are alienated from their children because of alcoholism and drug addiction?
  • You get the gist of it.
  • Monica is someone that every alcoholic and addict should become acquainted with at some point.
  • Monica Novena may be found here: St.
  • The novena may be found on the website Pray More Novenas, which is also known as a “Novena Prayer Reminder.” If you register with your email address, you will receive notice about forthcoming novenas, and you will be able to participate in them all year long!
  • Look over my novels if you have the opportunity!
  • To get outdoors, you must first go outside.
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Patron Saint of Alcoholics

Okay, so he isn’t exactly a saint. At least not for the time being. Why? Because the evidence of a bodily miracle is required for canonization. That is the reason. No certain, the Vatican’s top brass were not present to witness any of the numerous miracles that occur at an AA meeting. Because they would have no reason not to designate him as the Patron Saint of Alcoholics otherwise. We’re talking about Matt Talbot, the Dublin-born alcoholic who went on to live one of the most sober lives imaginable after overcoming his drinking problem.

  • And, like the majority of Irishmen at the time, drinking was not a huge deal.
  • Talbot dropped out of school at the age of 12 and began working for a wine merchant.
  • His next position was with the Port and Docks Board, where he was in charge of the whiskey warehouses.
  • The fact that he and his coworkers enjoyed going to the bar on a regular basis also played a role.
  • When he ran out of money for booze, he would borrow from others.
  • And if he couldn’t acquire credit, he’d steal to make up for it.
  • Talbot had had enough of hard drinking by the time he was 28 years old, after 15 years of it.

He couldn’t pay his bills.

He was also dissatisfied with his own appearance.

Father Matthew was a tee-totaling priest and the founder of the Cork Total Temperance Society, which by this time had expanded over the whole country of Ireland, including the United Kingdom.

As a result, it’s reasonable to claim that the TTS was quite similar to A.A.

Talbot’s first promise was for three months’ worth of services.

Talbot’s third commitment was to abstain from using marijuana for the rest of his life.

Was it always a piece of cake?

It appears that Talbot’s first seven years of abstinence were particularly challenging, according to available information.

He found strength in prayer, and he began to attend daily Mass as well as reading in large quantities.

Talbot made atonement for debts he couldn’t return directly (like in the instance of the fiddler whose instrument he had stolen), by making a donation to the church in lieu of doing so.

Talbot was the one who took on the most difficult assignments.

Talbot also became increasingly spiritual, and he attempted to model himself after Irish monks from the sixth century.

Talbot also got up at 5 a.m.

And he sat on his knees for the most of the evening.

It was a service he provided with unrelenting thoroughness for more than four decades before retiring.

should be designated as the Patron Saint of Alcoholics.

However, when you consider the fact that Talbot’s efforts assisted in laying the groundwork for A.A., as well as the numerous miracles that occurred as a result of those efforts, it becomes evident that the deservedly adored Irishman was also a Saint of epic proportions.

Note

To be sure, he isn’t exactly a saint. At least for the time being. Why? The reason is that proof of a bodily miracle is required for canonization. The reason behind this is as follows: The Vatican’s top brass must have missed out on the numerous miracles that occur at A.A. meetings, because they were not present. Otherwise, they would have had no reason not to designate him as the Patron Saint of Alcoholics. Matt Talbot is the subject of this article, a Dublin-born alcoholic who went on to live one of the most sober lives imaginable.

  1. Moreover, drinking was not a huge deal for most Irishmen at the time.
  2. A wine merchant hired Talbot, who dropped out of school at the age of 12.
  3. At the Port and Docks Board, his next position was in charge of the whiskey warehouses.
  4. He and his coworkers enjoyed going to the bar on a regular basis, which added to his dissatisfaction.
  5. When he ran out of money for booze, he would borrow from friends or relatives.
  6. And if he couldn’t acquire credit, he’d steal to make up for the difference.
  7. Talbot had reached the end of his rope at the age of 28 after 15 years of heavy drinking.

He couldn’t afford to pay his bills.

His spirit had been torn asunder.

“I pledged my allegiance,” Talbot said.

Founder of the Cork Total Temperance Society, Father Matthew was a tee-totaling priest who also founded the Cork Total Temperance Society, which by this time had expanded throughout Ireland.

We can safely assume that the TTS was quite similar to A.A.

The TTS program was no exception.

Having completed 90 days of sobriety, he made a commitment to remain sober for another six months.

More than four decades have elapsed since that commitment to sobriety.

Hardly.

His endurance, on the other hand, was admirable.

He also read voraciously.

If Talbot could not directly repay a debtor (as he could not do so with a violin taken from the fiddler), he made up by making a contribution to the church.

It was Talbot who was given the most difficult assignments.

As time went on, Talbot grew more pious and attempted to model himself after Irish monks of the sixth century.

To attend Mass before going to work, Talbot got up at 5 a.m.

His knees were on his knees for the majority of the evening.

He has been providing this service with unwavering discipline for more than four decades.

Nevertheless, when you consider the fact that Talbot’s efforts contributed to laying the groundwork for Al-Anon and the numerous miracles that occurred as a result of those efforts, it becomes evident that the deservedly adored Irishman was also a Saint of epic proportions.

Patron Saint of Alcoholics

The term ‘Patron’ is used in Christian religions, including the Roman Catholic religion, to describe holy and virtuous men and women who are considered to be a defender of a specific group of people or of a country.Fast facts and information about Saint Martin the Patron Saint of AlcoholicsA patron is considered to be a defender of a specific group of people or of a nation. There is a patron for virtually every cause, profession or special interest. The following facts provides fast information about Saint Martin:
  • As the patron saint of alcoholics, Saint Martin is also known as the “Saint Martin of Tours.” Memorial Day / Feast Day: November 12th, formerly November 11th
  • Saint Martin’s Death Date: A.D. 397
  • Saint Martin’s Feast Day: November 11th
  • Saint Martin’s Feast Day: November Natural causes of death were cited as the cause of death.
Click the following link for a detailedBiography of Saint Martin the Patron Saint of Alcoholics.Prayers to Saint Martin the Patron Saint of AlcoholicsThere is a patron for virtually every cause, country, profession or special interest. Prayers are considered more likely to be answered by asking a patron, such as Saint Martin the Patron Saint of Alcoholics for intercession on their behalf.Why is Saint Martin the Patron Saint of Alcoholics?Why is Saint Martin the Patron Saint of Alcoholics? November 11th, or Martinmas Day, was originally the Vinalia, or Feast of Bacchus, amongst the Romans. When, therefore, the Christian Church merged Bacchus into St. Martin, those who were employed in the vineyards came to look upon the saint as their patron; while drunkards or alcoholics were recommended to invoke him to save them from their sin.How Patron Saint of Alcoholics is represented in Christian ArtIt is helpful to be able to recognise Saint Martin the Patron Saint of Alcoholics in paintings, stained glass windows, illuminated manuscripts, architecture and other forms of Christian art. The artistic representations reflect the life or death of saints, or an aspect of life with which the person is most closely associated. Saint Martin the Patron Saint of Alcoholics is represented in Christian Art as a man on horseback cutting a cloak in half for a beggar.Feast Day of Patron Saint of AlcoholicsThe Feast Day of Saint Martin the Patron Saint of Alcoholics is November 12th formerly November 11th. The origin of Feast Days: most saints have specially designated feast days and are associated with a specific day of the year and these are referred to as the saint’s feast day. The feast days first arose from the very early Christian custom of the annual commemoration of martyrs on the dates of their deaths at the same time celebrating their birth into heaven.

St. Martin of Tours, Patron Saint of Reformed Alcoholics

Martin was born in 315 or 316 AD, in the Roman Empire. His father was a Roman soldier and a pagan. Martin’s own spiritual yearnings drew him to Christianity. As a young man, Martin had served in the Roman Legions. However, his real ambition was to live a life of prayer and contemplation.Martin was baptized as a Christian after the following incident: while serving as a soldier he gave half his cloak to a beggar. That night he dreamt of Jesus, who was wearing the half of Martin’s cloak that he had given to the beggar. The next morning Martin was baptized.After leaving the army, Martin began to wander the Empire. He became a disciple of Saint Hillary and lived as a hermit. He soon gained a reputation for holiness. At this time, people elected their bishops. Such was Martin’s reputation that the people of Tours (part of modern France) elected him as their Bishop.Martin accepted the position out of a sense of Christian duty. He wanted to really live a life of prayer and solitude. Instead of living in a Bishop’s palace, he lived in a hermit’s cell attached to a church. Martin lived a life of extreme asceticism. He exposed himself to the elements, fasted, and disdained all physical comforts. He soon began to attract followers. To accommodate them, he founded one of the first monasteries in Western Europe. Martin’s monastery was one of the inspirations for Western Monasticism.Martin, though he loved solitude, was also a man of energy and great drive. He was a zealous missionary who converted many people who were still pagans. The Saint also had a special concern for prisoners, and he saved many of them from death, as well as secured the freedom of many more.Martin was also very tolerant for his time. He intervened to save some Christian heretics from execution, even though it provoked the anger of the Emperor.Martin died at about the age of eighty, and was buried in a paupers’ graveyard, as was his wish.The Saint was renowned for his miracle working. On one occasion, he visited a young girl who had never spoken. He asked her name, and suddenly, she began to speak. On another occasion, he destroyed a pagan temple by simply praying. Martin prayed that the building be destroyed, and it was set ablaze by a bolt of lightning from a blue sky.St. Martin had a great faith and this made him very brave:”.In the name of the Lord Jesus, and protected not by a helmet and buckler, but by the sign of the cross.”He also believed that every Christian was a servant of the Lord, and that they should serve Him in every way possible.Martin dedicated his whole life to God:“Lord, if I am still necessary to thy people, I refuse no labor. Thy holy will be done.”Saint Martin of Tours is still very popular with French Catholics.

Amazon.com: Sobriety Prayer Amulet Keychain, Clip, Necklace Venerable Matt Talbot, Patron of Alcohol Addiction, St. Maximilian Kolbe, Patron Saint of Addictions, Serenity Prayer, Archangel Michael : Handmade Products

A Message of Hope for Sobriety Necklace with a holy medal. Five exquisitely crafted holy medals and charms, all produced in Italy, are assembled on a ring of stainless steel. St. Maximilian Kolbe is the patron saint of persons who are addicted to drugs or alcohol. Venerable Matt Talbot, patron saint of persons suffering from alcoholism, offers the Serenity Prayer: “God, grant me the serenity.” Archangel Michael, protection and strength, Miraculous Medal of Mother Mary, Our Lady of Healing, protection and strength, Archangel Michael, protection and strength The necklace is made of stainless steel link or ball chain, which is strong, hypoallergenic, and will never rust or tarnish over time.

  • Additionally, a keychain or clip is available.
  • Initial charms, Swarovski crystal birthstone drops, and Italian Made Mini Saint Charms and Crosses are all available as optional add-ons.
  • The item is packaged in a gift box.
  • Links chain necklace, ball chain necklace, clasps and rings are all made of stainless steel.
  • Dimensions: Italian Saint Medals are 1″ in height.

5 Saints Who Struggled with Addiction and Mental Illness

Historically, the Church has not always performed admirably when it comes to dealing with mental illness and assisting people who are affected by it. If one of the Church’s fundamental tasks is the care of souls, then understanding how to care for distressed parishioners should be of utmost priority. It turns out that there is even another cause for this conviction. Writing about recovery and behavioral health has provided me with the chance to speak with a large number of individuals who have overcome serious addiction and mental health disorders.

  • A “Higher Power,” in the words of the 12 Steps of addiction treatment, was credited with their success nearly unanimously when they were asked what was crucial to their rehabilitation.
  • As a result, churches that are actively involved in God’s mission should be recovery-oriented communities that are concerned about the individuals in their midst who are struggling with addiction and mental illness.
  • In order to serve as an example, here are five saints from church history who suffered with substance abuse or a mental illness: The Right Reverend Matt Talbot is suffering from alcoholism.
  • Despite this, Matt Talbot is at the very least informally referred to as the patron saint of alcoholics in the Catholic Church, having purportedly acquired the title of “Venerable” from Pope Paul VI, according to reports.
  • He began drinking practically as soon as he began working, which was at the age of eighteen (early adolescence).
  • Talbot, on the other hand, made a lifelong commitment to abstain from alcohol following a conversion experience in 1884.
  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) was named after John Bunyan.

As well as “unwanted intrusive ideas of a blasphemous kind” and the worry “that instead of words of praise, he may betray God and speak awful and blasphemous charges against Him,” Bunyan is said to have suffered from obsessive-compulsive disorder, according to historical accounts (OCD).

Notably, a similar justification has been advanced in the case of Martin Luther, the founder of the Reformation.

St.

Saint Mark Ji Tianxiang was a well-respected Christian leader and doctor in nineteenth-century China until, after taking opiates for a stomach illness, he developed an addiction to them.

Despite this, St.

During the Boxer Rebellion of 1900, he received exactly what he had hoped for.

The guy who for most of his life was refused access to the sacraments because of an opiate addiction has now been declared a saint by the Catholic Church on the basis of this edict.

He may have suffered from manic-depressive disease while battling for racial justice and equality.

Some of the characteristic manic-depressive symptoms that Dr.

Nassir Ghaemi, Department of Psychiatry at Tufts Medical Center, who worked with Dr.

It was even suggested to him by a psychiatrist colleague in 1967 to seek professional therapy for his mental illness as a result of these symptoms.

After years of being high-energy and requiring just 4-5 hours of sleep every night while managing large amounts of plane travel and speechifying, he now finds himself weary most of the time, while maintaining the same hectic schedule of travel and speechifying.

He had doubled the number of cigarettes he smoked.

Dr.

King’s difficulties with clinical depression “is not meant to denigrate him or his achievements, but rather to better understand how wonderful he was, and to recognize that his sadness may be understood as a source of his grandeur as well as of his despair.” OCD, Bipolar Disorder, Asperger’s Syndrome, or Schizophrenia were all diagnosed in St.

The nineteenth-century Carmelite nun who died at the age of 24 and left behind a manuscript describing her “little way” of spirituality suffered from extreme fears, anxieties, and emotional distress, including at least one breakdown and other self-harming behaviors, according to her autobiography, “The Little Way.” (These were detailed in a story published in the Independent in December 2017.) Therefore, St.

Therese has been subjected to an impressive array of posthumous mental health diagnoses, ranging from OCD to bipolar disease to Asperger’s Syndrome and even schizophrenia, among other things.

Therese, out of the five saints profiled here, arguably best exemplifies some of the difficulties, limitations, and possible arrogance associated in assigning mental health diagnoses to those who have gone before us in their lives.

What might be lost in the shuffle are the characteristics that made them a precious individual in the first place.

On the contrary, perhaps one of the most powerful antidotes to the stigmatization of people suffering from mental illness is the reminder that some of the greatest and most influential saints who ever lived struggled with some of the same mental health issues that today, according to some estimates, affect one in every four people in America.

Even a deeper understanding of one’s own situation might be a step toward rehabilitation. Many more pieces like this one about mental illness and recovery may be read on the website of the Beach House Center for Recovery, where Kristina Robb-Dover works as a full-time writer.

Kristina Robb-Dover

Kristina Robb-Dover is a full-time writer for FHE Health, specializing in medical and health-related topics. Her most recent book is The Recovery-Minded Church: Loving and Ministering to People with Addiction, which was published in September (InterVarsity Press, January 2016).

Comments

Mark was not religious, but he did wear an amulet of St. Francis around his neck, which had been given to him by his father. My prayers to St. Francis were also said on nights when he didn’t return home.

Content notice: alcoholism, vomit, intimate partner abuse.

“Can you tell me what it is about you that I like?” One man, who is intoxicated, says something amicably to another. “You’reauthentic.” In front of a decrepit structure, they’re both sitting on the sidewalk together. I was drawn to the duo because one of them, the genuine one, was sitting close to a puddle of what I presumed to be his own vomit, and this drew my attention to them. I continue to walk. Currently, I’m on my way to a cheap store with a list in hand. Cleaner. A new mop has been purchased.

Bin sacks, to use Arran’s terminology.

In order to deep clean the flat, we have put the wedding plans on hold.

It’s the second day of the week.

We did a thorough cleaning of the kitchen cabinets.

We also installed a new shower liner, for which I used a lot of bleach.

In order to celebrate his birthday, Arran put on the CD I had produced for him.

It’s the same apartment, but the lifestyle is extremely different — a very different lifestyle from the one I was leading in this same room ten, even five years ago.

Before Mark and I moved into my current apartment together, we lived in the West Village, where I taped a piece of paper to the refrigerator with the words “bad things Mark says about me” written on it, and we were married.

Six years later, when I finally had the strength to quit our relationship for the first time, it was a different type of pride that filled me with joy.

Not knowing whether to be furious or concerned as the situation progressed, I began to question more and more seriously if perhaps he had died this time, and eventually began to wish it would happen so that I might finally be free.

We had a falling out, and despite the fact that the flat was in my name, I moved out.

Mark promised to assist me, stating that he would be supportive.

According to Mark, he prayed to Saint Francis, who is the patron saint of drunks and (according to him) lost causes.

Francis around his neck, which had been given to him by his father.

Francis were also said on nights when he didn’t return home.

I began attending dharma discourses, where I became acquainted with the concept ofmetta.

The final straw came one night when he didn’t come home until he finally did, inebriated — like he had done on far too many other occasions.

A homeless man had kicked him in the nuts, according to him, and he was weeping because of it.

Mark was always dealing with this type of nonsense.

Who knows what the real story is?

There isn’t a single piece of it.

Later that day, I had hosted a gathering of individuals for work and had prepared lunch for everyone in the group.

I was able to move on with my life because of the grace of who knows what.

The meeting had gone quite well.

I left them to do the task the next day.

Mark vomited up all over the place that night, he was intoxicated and in agony from being smacked in the nuts, and he threw up on all the dishes.

I, too, had been a drinker at one point.

Mark couldn’t keep a job for more than six months at a time, and it always felt awful to leave him.

I’d had enough of it for a while.

For a long time (before I met Arran), while I was walking the dog alone in the middle of the night, I thought about Mark.

I learnt to be patient with myself during such feelings.

Some days, when I look at my life, it appears to be extremely fucking alien and eerily similar to the lives of people that I would have previously dismissed as uninteresting, artificial, and false.

Despite the fact that I occasionally doubt my priorities these days, I never yearn for my previous existence.

I’m aware that much of what I appreciated in myself before I got sober was untrue, and that the contempt I had for other people — especially “normal” people — was a result of a great deal of self-loathing and fear on my part.

$5,000 in flowers is a joke.

It is about being united in marriage.

“You don’t need to wear glasses,” he says.

I now have access to a shared bank account and may spend my money anyway I like.

I phone Arran and ask whether we need a new mop or just a new mop head, and he tells me that he’s not sure, that the mop is weird, and that he can’t tell if it’s just the head that needs changing or if the entire thing is messed up.

Although he is frustrated with me as I keep him on the phone as I attempt to make a choice, he is exactly how I would feel if I were on the other end of the line.

I finish my shopping, pay for it, and then depart.

He has been laid out on the ground, and a pair stands guard over his body.

The other man, who happens to be the actual one’s acquaintance, expresses gratitude to them. I keep walking, thinking about St. Francis, and sending up a thank you for prayers that have been answered. An unnamed Italian painter created this image, which may be seen on Wikimedia Commons.

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