What did alcoholics do before there was Alcoholics Anonymous? Let us consider a few parts of this holy man's life: "He was not quarrelsome when drunk, but went quietly home to bed when the public-houses had closed for the night. No matter how much drink he had taken the night before, he was up in time for his work, which started at 6 a.m., and left the house clean and tidy in his person. He acquired the habit of taking the Holy Name in vain and of using strong language when talking with his fellow workers, and he began to neglect the Sacraments, though he went to Mass on Sundays. His prayers consisted of blessing himself when he got out of bed in the morning, as he was, usually, too drunk to say any prayers going to bed. For two, if not three, years before his conversion he had not been to the Sacraments of Penance or the Holy Eucharist. "The picture which Matt Talbot presents to us at this period is that of a young fellow going fast on the road to ruin; the craving' for drink gradually mastering him; the duties of his religion almost completely neglected; and the duties to his parents entirely ignored. The picture is dark, but it is not all black. All his troubles came from the one sin-indulgence in drink. He had no other vice and his moral character was irreproachable." And let us consider the day of his conversion. "Matt was sileiJlt for a time, and finally turning to his mother said, "I am going to take the pledge." She smiled rather incredulously, and said, "Go, in God's name; but don't take it unless you are going to keep it." He answered, "I'll go in the name of God." He went to the room in which the boys slept, washed himself carefully, and, taking his cap, turned to leave the house. As he stood at the door his mother turned to him and said gently, "God give you strength to keep it."" He took the pledge, which at that time was a pledge to give up drinking for a period of time. "On the present occasion, Matt had made up his mind to take the pledge for three months as he doubted his ability to keep it for any longer period. He had be'en about three years from confession, so he went to confession in the College and took the pledge when his confession was ended. He then returned home, and on Sunday morning attended the 5 a.m. Mass at st. Francis Xavier's Church, Upper Gardiner Street, where he received Holy Communion." Let us consider what started Matt on to the life that has caused his life to become known: "He had now to consider what steps he should take to enable him to keep his pledge. If he continued his ordinary course of life it would mean meeting his companions at the most dangerous hours, namely, after the day's work had finished. To avoid them without giving offence he could not remain in the neighbourhood of his home after worki, ng hours, and he should, thel'e, fore, go where they would not think of looking for him. His decision was, to go to daily Mass at 5 a.m. in St. Francis Xavier's Church, Upper Gardiner Street, and after the day's work was done to visit a distant Church where he could pray for strength to keep his promise." This book goes on to relate Matt's life of sanctity after first making the pledge and the struggles he had to become a Saint. And he did it without the help of others in AA, only the help of his confessors and family. Let us hope this life will inspire others to overcome their habits of sin, whether they be drink or any other habit, for the cure is the same, prayer, penance and resignation to the will of God.
