Reference 1 Prayer for the Canonisation of Matt Talbot

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1 Reference 1 Prayer for the Canonisation of Matt Talbot Video Vocabulary 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. 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. Peace Proclamation, Crimean War ( ) War to settle dispute over Russian control of Black Sea, involving Superpowers England and France, with European contries. Black Sea was a valuable trade route. War ended with Treaty of Paris, deciding that Black Sea would be neutral, and Russia was not allowed military presence on the Sea. Michner: Truant Daniel O Connor: Often referred to as The Emancipator, was an Irish political leader in the first half of the 19th century. He campaigned for Catholic Emancipation including the right for Catholics to sit in the Westminster Parliament, denied for over 100 years and repeal of the Act of Union which combined Great Britain and Ireland. Jim Larkin: 1907 where he founded the Irish Transport and General Workers' Union. The goal of the union was to combine all Irish industrial workers, skilled and unskilled, into one organization. Larkin later formed the Irish Labour Party and was responsible for leading a series of strikes. Most significant of these was the 1913 Dublin Lockout where more than 100,000 workers went on strike for nearly eight months, eventually winning the right to fair employment. Celtic Rite: There were Christians in Ireland before Saint Patrick, but we have no information as to how they worshipped. The term "Celtic Rite" is appied to the various liturgical rites used in Celtic Christianity in Great Britain, Ireland and Brittany, sporadically Northern Iberia (Spain) and also in the monasteries founded by the Irish missions of St. Columbanus in France, Germany, Switzerland, and Italy during the early middle ages They have one Head, Christ and one leader, Patrick. creosote: tar based substance used to preserve wood.

2 Reference 2 Fermented grain, fruit juice and honey have been used to make alcohol (ethyl alcohol or ethanol) for thousands of years. Fermented beverages existed in early Egyptian civilization, and there is evidence of an early alcoholic drink in China around 7000 B.C. In India, an alcoholic beverage called sura, distilled from rice, was in use between 3000 and 2000 B.C. The Babylonians worshiped a wine goddess as early as 2700 B.C. In Greece, one of the first alcoholic beverages to gain popularity was mead, a fermented drink made from honey and water. Greek literature is full of warnings against excessive drinking. Several Native American civilizations developed alcoholic beverages in pre-columbian1 times. A variety of fermented beverages from the Andes region of South America were created from corn, grapes or apples, called chicha. In the sixteenth century, alcohol (called spirits ) was used largely for medicinal purposes. But with this came the consequence of increasing the alcohol content of beverages. At the beginning of the eighteenth century, the British parliament passed a law encouraging the use of grain for distilling spirits. Cheap spirits flooded the market and reached a peak in the mid-eighteenth century. In Britain, gin consumption reached 18 million gallons and alcoholism became widespread. The nineteenth century brought a change in attitudes and the temperance movement began promoting the moderate use of alcohol which ultimately became a push for total prohibition. In 1920 the US passed a law prohibiting the manufacture, sale, import and export of intoxicating liquors. The illegal alcohol trade boomed and by 1933, the prohibition of alcohol was cancelled.

3 Reference 3 Biblical References: The Bible book of Proverbs is filled with warnings against indulging in wine and strong drink Wine mocks those who use it (see Proverbs 20:1) and rewards them with woe, sorrow, strife, and wounds without cause (see Proverbs 23:29, 30). In the end it [wine] bites like a snake and poisons like a viper (verse 32) In the New Testament, the usual word for wine, whether alcoholic or non-alcoholic, is οινος (oinos). Paul warned believers against drunkenness (Ephesians 5:18), and declares that deacons should not be "addicted to much wine" (1 Timothy 3:8). Yet, Paul did recommend that his friend Timothy should use a little wine for relief from a digestive ailment (1 Timothy 5:23, NIV). In those days, physical ailments, such as dysentery, were common occurrences often due to contaminated water. Consequently, other ways of quenching thirst were often recommended. But the angel said to him: Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. There will be joy and delight for you, and many will rejoice at his birth. For he will be great in the sight of the Lord and will never drink wine or beer. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit while still in his mother s womb (Luke 1:13 15). Wine is a mocker, beer is a brawler, and whoever staggers because of them is not wise (Proverbs 20:1). Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has conflicts? Who has complaints? Who has wounds for no reason? Who has red eyes? Those who linger over wine, those who go looking for mixed wine. Don t gaze at wine when it is red, when it gleams in the cup and goes down smoothly. In the end it bites like a snake and stings like a viper. Your eyes will see strange things, and you will say absurd things (Proverbs 23:29 33). These also stagger because of wine and stumble under the influence of beer: priest and prophet stagger because of beer, they are confused by wine. They stumble because of beer, they are muddled in [their] visions, they stumble in [their] judgments (Isaiah 28:7). Let us walk with decency, as in the daylight: not in carousing and drunkenness (Romans 13:13). And don t get drunk with wine, which [leads to] reckless actions, but be filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18). (A Christian s life should not be an impediment to others.) Therefore, let us decide not to put a stumbling block or pitfall in your brother s way It is a noble thing not to eat meat, or drink wine, or do anything that makes your brother stumble (Romans 14:13, 21).

4 But be careful that this right of yours in no way becomes a stumbling block to the weak (1 Corinthians 8:9). Catechism of the Catholic Church condemns drunken excess and illegal drugs in # : The virtue of temperance disposes us to avoid every kind of excess: the abuse of food, alcohol, tobacco, or medicine. Those incur grave guilt who, by drunkenness or a love of speed, endanger their own and others' safety on the road, at sea, or in the air. The use of drugs inflicts very grave damage on human health and life. Their use, except on strictly therapeutic grounds, is a grave offense. Clandestine production of and trafficking in drugs are scandalous practices. They constitute direct co operation in evil, since they encourage people to practices gravely contrary to the moral law.

5 Reference 4 The Process of Beatification & Canonization The process of documenting the life and virtues of a holy man or woman cannot begin until 5 years after death. This waiting period insures that the person has an enduring reputation for sanctity among the faithful. It can be waived by the Supreme Pontiff, and has been done on two occasions. After the five years have concluded, or earlier if all or some of the period is waived, the Bishop of the diocese in which the individual died can petition the Holy See to allow the initialization of a Cause for Beatification and Canonization. If there is no objection by the Roman Dicasteries, in particular the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the permission, or nihil obstat (nothing stands in the way), is communicated to the initiating Bishop. SERVANT OF GOD Once a Cause has begun, the individual is called a Servant of God, e.g. the Servant of God Karol Wojtyła. Diocesan Tribunal: Informative Process During this first phase the Postulation established by the diocese must gather testimony about the life and virtues of the Servant of God. Also, the public and private writings must be collected and examined. This documentary phase of the process concludes with the judgment of a diocesan tribunal, and the ultimate decision of the bishop, that the heroic virtues of the Servant of God have or have not been demonstrated. The results, along with the bound volumes of documentation, or Acta (Acts), are communicated to the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints. Congregation for the Causes of the Saints: Positio The Acta resulting from the documentary or informative phase of the process are committed by the Congregation to a Relator appointed from among the Congregation's College of Relators, whose task is to superintend the Cause through the rest of the process.. When the Positio is finished, the theological commission votes affirmatively or negatively on the Cause. This recommendation is then passed to the cardinal, archbishop and bishop members of the Congregation who in turn vote. Their vote determines whether the Cause lives or dies. If the vote is affirmative, the recommendation of a Decree of Heroic Virtues is sent to the Holy Father, whose judgment is final.

6 VENERABLE Supreme Pontiff: Decree of the Heroic Virtues of the Servant of God Once the person's Heroic Virtues have been recognized by the Pope, they are called Venerable Diocese: First Miracle Proposed in Support of the Cause The remaining step before beatification is the approval of a miracle, evidence of the intercessory power of the Venerable Servant of God and thus of his or her union after death with God. The diocese of the candidate miracle then conducts its own tribunals, scientific and theological. The scientific commission must determine by accepted scientific criteria that there is no natural explanation for the alleged miracle. The theological commission must also determine whether the miracle resulted through the intercession of the Servant of God alone. If the family and friends have been praying without cease to the Servant of God exclusively, then the case is demonstrated. Thus, the task of the theological commission is two fold, judge whether the cure was a miracle, and judge whether this miracle is due to the intercession of the Servant of God. The decision is forwarded to the Congregation in Rome. Congregation: First Miracle Proposed in Support of the Cause As occured at the diocesan level, the Congregation for the Causes of the the Saints establishes both scientific and theological commissions. The affirmative vote of the theological commission is transmitted to the General Meeting of the cardinal and episcopal members, whose affirmative judgment is forwarded to the Supreme Pontiff. It should be noted that in cases of martyrdom the miracle required for beatification can be waived martyrdom being understood as a miracle of grace. In this case, the vote of the Congregation would establish the death of the Servant of God as true martyrdom, resulting in a Decree of Martyrdom by the Holy Father. Supreme Pontiff: Decree of a Miracle With the Holy Father's approval of a Decree of a Miracle, the Servant of God can be beatified. BLESSED Supreme Pontiff: Beatification With the beatification rite, conducted on the authority of the Supreme Pontiff, the Venerable

7 Servant of God is declared Blessed. Blesseds may receive public veneration at the local or regional level, usually restricted to those dioceses or religious institutes closely associated with the person's life. Diocese: Second Miracle Proposed in Support of the Cause After beatification the Church looks for a second miracle before proceeding to canonization. The alleged miracle is studied by scientific and theological commissions in the diocese in which it is alleged to have occurred. Congregation: Second Miracle Proposed in Support of the Cause After the diocesan process is concluded the proposed miracle is studied by a scientific and then a theological commission of the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints. The vote of this commission is forwarded to the episcopal members of the Congregation whose affirmative vote is communicated to the Holy Father. Supreme Pontiff: Decree of a Miracle The consent of the Holy Father to the decision of the Congregation results in a Decree of a Miracle. Canonization is now possible. SAINT Supreme Pontiff: Canonization By the Rite of Canonization the Supreme Pontiff, by an act which is protected from error by the Holy Spirit, elevates a person to the universal veneration of the Church. By canonization the Pope does not make the person a saint. Rather, he declares that the person is with God and is an example of following Christ worthy of imitation by the faithful. A Mass, Divine Office and other acts of veneration, may now be offered throughout the universal Church.

8 Reference 5 Dublin Diocesan Matt Talbot Website This website gives us an opportunity to gain a deeper insight into the life and times of the Venerable Matt Talbot. His is a story of triumph over addiction. It is a story of faith and of how the power of God's grace can help us overcome the struggles and difficulties of life. The aim of this website is to create a space where we can share our thoughts and prayers. A place of contact where we can be kept informed about the progress of Matt's cause for Beatification and Canonisation. It also gives us an opportunity to meet with other individuals, groups and organizations who have Matt Talbot as their patron and who wish to promote his cause. Matt Talbot was born on the 2nd May 1856 at 13, Aldborough Court in the Parish of St. Agatha. Matt was one of Dublin's poor he lived in a tenement, wore second hand cloths, died in a Laneway and was buried in a pauper's grave. Coming from such a deprived background and with an alcoholic father and a family history of neglect and poverty, Matt found himself sucked into the culture of addiction and to the only choice of drug available to the poor of his day alcohol. Matt like so many others embraced alcohol as a means of escape from the misery and poverty of daily life. Today we live in an age of addictions more sophisticated perhaps than those of Matt's day, addictions to substances such as alcohol and other drugs soft or hard, prescription or illegal, addictions to gambling, pornography and the internet, addictions to work, professional advancement, sex, money and power. All these have the ability to destroy our lives and like demons even our very souls as well. Matt Talbot gradually came to this awareness and from the time of his conversion as a young man of 28, he spent the rest of his life living to a heroic extent the Christian virtues through prayer, spiritual reading, work and acts of charity. Matt sets before us a radical example which demonstrates that ordinary people can do extraordinary things. His life is a witness to the fact that people can by God's grace and their own self acceptance say no to that which leads to addiction or addictive behaviors.

9 Alcohol and drug abuse can too often be the cause of work related injuries, traffic fatalities, birth defects, impaired health and broken homes. But today there is support for those influenced by the abusive and degenerative effects of alcohol, drugs, and their related problems. Matt Talbot Recovery Services, Inc. offers hope to people of all races and gender. Our Men s Residential is located in the heart of Milwaukee s vibrant central city and easily accessible by public transportation, this 26 bed structured living facility, founded in 1966 by the late Roger P. Hogan, has provided sanctuary to thousands of men seeking to address their substance abuse and regain control of their lives. A disciplined program including individual and group counseling, family education, pre entry and aftercare support groups, and the building of life skills in order to function independently presented within a positive, supportive environment, is at the core of Matt Talbot s success. Over the years, Matt Talbot Recovery Services has restructured its programs to meet the changes and challenges in the field of alcohol and other drug abuse. While our program has evolved, its philosophy has remained constant: that all men and women are endowed with an inherent dignity, and each has an inalienable right to pursue life, liberty and happiness. Yet due to the abuse of alcohol and other drugs, some individuals have lost awareness of their dignity and are unable to follow these pursuits. Persons so afflicted are entitled to and can benefit from a program of rehabilitation that considers each person s physical, emotional and spiritual well being. At Matt Talbot Recovery Services, our goal is to help each individual achieve and maintain sobriety, wellness, and find a meaningful place in society.