Asking for Matt’s help at the novena

HISTORICALLY, addiction has been defined as physical and psychological dependence on substances such as alcohol, tobacco and drugs.

 

Nowadays, addiction can also be described as a continued dependency on activities such as gambling, food, pornography, computers, work, exercise, watching TV, self-injury and shopping  that can, at least, change personalities and, at worst, destroy lives.

Addiction is nothing new. Matt Talbot was an unskilled labourer who was born in 1856 and lived all his life in Dublin. We probably would never have heard of him were it not for the cords and chains discovered on his body when he died suddenly on a Dublin street in 1925.

On further investigation of his life, it was learned that he had struggled with addiction to alcohol from a very early age but that he had found sobriety through prayer and self-sacrifice and that he remained sober for the next 40 years until his death.

His life story has been an inspiration for alcoholics and addicts throughout the world. Turning away from alcohol was only a small part of Matt’s transformation because he also turned to God. Matt’s programme of recovery was built around devotion to the Eucharist, love of Mary, Mother of God, spiritual reading, self-discipline and manual work.

But he never forgot his struggle with his addiction. He once told his sister, “Never look down on a man who cannot give up the drink because it is easier to get out of hell!” The same is true for any addiction but Matt’s story shows us a very ordinary person can totally transform.

For the past 20 years, parishioners in two Clare parishes have gathered together for nine consecutive weeks at the Matt Talbot Novena to pray for people suffering from all forms of addictions and for those who share their lives, at home and at work, with people who endure such addictions.

This year’s novena will take place over nine consecutive weeks beginning on Monday, October 1 at 7.30pm in St Senan’s Church, Kilrush for all parishes in West Clare and on Tuesday,  October 2 at 7pm in SS  John & Paul Church, Shannon.

This year’s preachers include Rev Pat Greed, parish priest of Clonlara; Rev Sean Harmon, curate St John’s Cathedral Limerick; Rev Caoimhin O’Laodie, OFM Novice Master Franciscan Friary Ennis; Rev Ger Fitzgerald, curate The Cathedral Ennis; Patricia Gallagher, Ballindine, Mayo; Rev Brian Lawless, Dublin, Vice Postulator of the Cause of Matt Talbot; Rev Chris O’Donnell, Youth Ministry Limerick Diocese;

Andrew O’Donnell, Communications Director Presentation Brothers; Rev Vincent Sherlock, parish priest of Kilmovee, Mayo and Rev Jim Purcell, curate Rosegreen, Cashel, Tipperary.
Petitions can be left at the shrine in St Senan’s Church or in SS John & Paul Church or, in an attempt to reach out to as many people as possible who are dealing with addiction, sent anonymously via the petition form on the Shannon parish website at www.shannonparish.ie.

The Matt Talbot Novena is offered each year to give encouragement and spiritual support to people in times of suffering and stress.