Category Archives: Saints

(Almost) Feast of Matt Talbot

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Today was the Solemnity of All Saints, the Feast in which the Church celebrates all Saints in Heaven, from the known (on the formal list, or canon, of Saints and Blesseds) to the unknown, (those who are in Heaven but known only to God).

Therefore it occurred to me at Mass tonight that today is the day when we alcoholics can celebrate Matt Talbot. He is not canonized, nor even beatified. Chances are he made it, but without a miracle or two attributed to his intercession, we cannot have a regular Feast day for him. So, on the assumption that since the Vatican back in 1975 declared Matt to be “Venerable” (meaning his life and work are good examples worthy of being imitated), he is probably in Heaven with the rest.

And so, since Matt has no Feast day (yet) to call his own, today and future All Saints Solemnities can be a day when we can recall his hard-working life and pre-12 Step sober example.

From the Venerable Matt Talbot Resource Center we have the
Official Prayer for the Canonization of Matt Talbot

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 of the Holy Sacrament. May his life of prayer and penance give us courage to take up our crosses and follow in the footsteps of Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Father, if it be your will that your beloved servant should be glorified by your Church, make known by your heavenly favours the power he enjoys in your sight. We ask this through the same Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.

I will make an attempt to write more about Matt Talbot, particularly focusing on his Way of Sobriety.

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

Novena to St. Michael the Archangel, Day 8

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On this 8th day of the Novena, we pray for the strength of perseverance in Faith.

The main reason why I started this blog, and the failed social networks involving Catholic addiction, is that too often in 12 Step meeting rooms (and online gatherings) I’ve seen Catholics leave the Church.

I feel it is my duty to stem the tide. I doubt I’ve been very successful, being only one person, but I shall continue anyway.

Why do they leave? It is my conviction that there is excessive moral relativism in the rooms, as well as the sin of indifferentism. Moral relativism is subjective morality, in that morality is situational and based on feelings and not on objective truth. Objective truth means that morality is fixed in terms of things which are always right or always wrong. Indifferentism means that all religions are the same. “It doesn’t matter which one you belong to, as long as you believe.”

Nonsense, if you are a follower of Christ and believe in the accuracy of Divine Revelation.

The idea of a Higher Power may be fine for non-believers or non-Christians, but for Catholics and other Christians the only real Higher Power is Jesus, God Incarnate. If you make anything other than Jesus your Higher Power, you are engaging in idolatry.

Twelve step groups have increasingly led people astray in their Faith. They develop a watered-down Catholicism or depart for a non-denominational Church. The leave the Church that Jesus, the Divine Physician, established with all the healing Sacraments and Saints.

(((sigh)))

We take the Faith and live it. We don’t trade it in for something else, “as long as I don’t take a drink today, I’m OK. I’ve got my Higher Power!” We take the Faith, apply the Gospel to our daily lives, find healing in the Sacraments, and respond to the Gospel’s message by carrying it to others. In doing “good works” we spread the Gospel by our actions (service and volunteering, acts of charity) or by word (conversing or bearing witness to others).

Now, to the Novena:

Begin the prayer with: O God, come to my assistance. O Lord, make haste to help me. Glory be to the Father…, etc.

By the intercession of St. Michael and the celestial Choir of Archangels may the Lord give us perseverance in faith and in all good works in order that we may attain the glory of Heaven. Amen.

[Say one Our Father and three Hail Marys after your intentions for fidelity to the Faith.]

To say the entire Chaplet, click here:
Chaplet of St. Michael

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

Chaplet of St. Michael the Archangel

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The Feast to the Three Archangels is coming up on September 29th, and to that end I am starting a Novena to one of them, St. Michael. I will be basing it on the “Chaplet of St. Michael.”

Here is a link on how to say the Chaplet: Chaplet of St. Michael

(Via EWTN.)

The Novena will start tomorrow the 21st, and end on the Feast day, the 29th.

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

Beatification of Pope John Paul II Online Schedules

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Pope John Paul 2 will be beatified in ceremonies at the Vatican this Sunday, May 1, 2011. Here is a listing of fairly comprehensive English language programming covering the event, and these are links to online schedules as well as live, online streaming of the ceremonies if you wish to view it on you computer:

First off is EWTN, a major American global Catholic TV and radio network:

EWTN coverage: “Beatification of Pope John Paul II Coverage with EWTN Catholic Television Network”

(Via EWTN.)

Next is “CatholicTV”, not to be confused with “RealCatholicTV”:

CatholicTV: “Online Schedule of Papal Programming”

(Via CatholicTV.)

The Canadian “Salt and Light TV” offers their programming here:

Salt + Light Television: “John Paul II Beatification”

Their live stream is here:

Streaming LIVE | Salt + Light Television

(Via Salt + Light TV.)

“Pope2you” is a Vatican service in the new social media age:

Pope2you: “Pope John Paul II – The Beatification”

(Via Pope2You.)

“Xt3” is a Catholic social network founded after the Sydney World Youth Day. Although they are focused on WYDs, they are a comprehensive social network:

Xt3: “Beatification: Live webcast”, and the stream is found here: John Paul II: “webcast”

(Via Xt3.)

And finally, and certainly not the least of these, here is the Home Office’s offerings:

Vatican Radio – Vatican Radio CTV, : “Bringing Rome to your home for JPII beatification”

The stream is found here (I think) Vatican Player

(Via Radio Vatican.)

The above links are not presented in any particular order of importance. If you find any link to be wrong or broken, etc, please email me or comment. All comments are moderated but I hope to get to them as quickly as I can.

Pope John Paul 2 was very important to me. He was the Pope during my departure from the Church, thus proving how stupid and prideful I can be, and he was reigning when I returned. His papacy was instrumental in my reversion and re-formation of my faith.

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

A Saint for those who are Prisoners of their Past

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There is a relatively new Saint whose Feast day today (February 8th) is. Her name is Saint Josephine Bakhita. Although she is not at all connected to alcoholism and addiction, those of us who suffer from them can do well to pay attention to her. Those of us who are haunted by our past and feel that we cannot let go of the resentment associated with it can learn a great deal from how she dealt with her … slavery. Read on here:

A Saint for Those who are Prisoners of their Past: “”

(Via Truth Himself.)

In reading that blog post I can imagine those of us who may be trapped by our past can handle it half as well as she dealt with her enslavement.

She was not a prisoner of her past.

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

Dorothy Day

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I missed this earlier this week, as I was probably too busy from snow removal and recovering from it. In getting caught up with a few friend’s blogposts I noticed that Dymphna’s Well had a post on Dorothy Day this past Wednesday.

“Yesterday was the 30th anniversary of the death of Dorothy Day, founder of the Catholic Worker Movement.

An early radical, Day became a socialist, dropped out of college, married and had an abortion before converting to Catholicism as an adult. As this article by Andrew Hamilton says, Dorothy’s was ‘a gospel with teeth.’  She founded Catholic Worker Houses that helped (and still help) the poor–alcoholics, drug addicts and street people.

Her theology was all about pacifism, hospitality and human dignity. The poor who came to her were treated with dignity and non-violence–the first many had ever known.  Even when involved in political passive resistance (think, Gandhi and Martin Luther King) the innate human dignity of one’s opponent was at the forefront.

*This* is Christianity.  This is what Jesus wants us to do.”

Posted by Dymphna at 11:23 AM on December 1, 2010

(Via Dymphna’s Well.)

Catholic Worker Houses, as Dymphna says, still offer a lot of assistance to those on the fringes and margins of society, many of whom are there due to alcoholism and addictions.

Dorothy Day is not a canonized saint yet (although I tagged this post in that category), but her work is an excellent portrayal of applied Christianity.

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

A Prayer to Sts Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, archangels.

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A Prayer to Sts Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, archangels.: “Heavenly King, You have given us archangels
to assist us during our pilgrimage on earth.
Saint Michael is our protector;
I ask him to come to my aid,
fight for all my loved ones,
and protect us from danger.
Saint Gabriel is a messenger of the Good News;
I ask him to help me
clearly hear Your voice
and to teach me the truth.
Saint Raphael is the healing angel;
I ask him to take my need for healing
and that of everyone I know,
lift it up to Your throne of grace
and deliver back to us the gift of recovery.
Help us, O Lord,
to realize more fully the reality of the archangels
and their desire to serve us.

Holy angels,
pray for us.

Amen.
“

(Via Catholic Doors.)

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

St. Therese of Lisieux: the “Little Flower”

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Today starts another Novena, this one to St. Therese of Lisieux, affectionately known to her devotees as “The Little Flower”. This nickname arose from her theology of “littleness”, as in doing all things, especially small, menial things, with great love and care, and also from her promise to “distribute” flowers from Heaven after her death. These are well known to her devotees (myself included) and are basically “signal graces” indicating Divine presence in your life.

Her theology is what caused Philip Maynard, in his excellent book, “To Slake a Thirst: The Matt Talbot Way to Sobriety” to regard her as the chief theologian of the Matt Talbot Way.

Here is a must read online biography of her:

EWTN’s Saints and other Holy People Home

(Via EWTN)

The novena starts in the next post.

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

Novena to the Three Archangels for Alcoholics: Introduction

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On September 29th the Church celebrates the Three Archangels: St. Michael, St. Raphael and St. Gabriel. Today starts a Novena to them, it ends on the 29th.

Some background:

St. Michael is a patron and defender of the Church and the chief angelic nemesis of Satan. His intercession can be invoked when you need to counter the “cunning, baffling, powerful” allure of alcohol. Not to blame Satan for your alcoholism, but it is a tool that he can use to keep you away from God.

St. Raphael is God’s Healer. He is also the Patron Saint of Happy Meetings (such as finding a spouse). His healing abilities are detailed in the Old Testament Book of Tobit. His intercession can be invoked in your constant battle against alcohol.

St. Gabriel is the Angel of the Incarnation. He told the Blessed Virgin Mary that she was to be the Mother of Jesus, the Messiah. He also told old Zechariah that he was to become the father of John the Baptist, Jesus’ cousin and the precursor to the Messiah. His intercession can be invoked to better perceive and understand God’s will.

My next post will start the Novena.

More info: Three Archangels

(Via EWTN.)

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

Feast of St. Maximilian Kolbe, martyr of Auschwitz, to be celebrated August 14

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St. Maximilian Kolbe is a favorite saint of mine, and often the subject of posts. Currently I am running a Novena for alcoholics and addicts to him. Here is a news article reminding us of his upcoming Feast Day this Saturday:

Feast of St. Maximilian Kolbe, martyr of Auschwitz, to be celebrated August 14

(Via CNA.)

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)