Life of Venerable Matt Talbot

Matt Talbot was born on 2 May 1856 in Dublin, Ireland, one of twelve children in a poor family. Early on, he developed an alcohol dependence, spending much of his youth in and out of poverty.

At age 28, in 1884, he experienced a turning point. After a moment of humiliation and rejection by his friends outside a pub, he resolved to change, made a confession, and “took the pledge” to abstain from alcohol for three months. He later extended that pledge for life. Over the next decades, he maintained sobriety through intense prayer, daily Mass, penance, and acts of charity.

After his mother’s death in 1915, he lived in a small flat with very little furniture. He slept on a plank bed with a piece of timber for a pillow. He rose at 5 a.m. every day to attend Mass before work. At work, whenever he had spare time, he found a quiet place to pray. He spent most of every evening on his knees. On Sundays, he attended several Masses. He walked quickly, with his head down, so that he appeared to be hurrying from one Mass to another.

On 7 June 1925, on Trinity Sunday, while Talbot was on his way to Mass, he collapsed and died of heart failure on Granby Lane in Dublin.

After his death, penitential chains wrapped around his body were discovered—a sign of his deep devotion and ascetic life. His reputation for holiness grew quickly after his death. In 1931, an official investigation into his life began, and later, on 3 October 1975, Pope Paul VI declared him Venerable.

His life is often held up as an inspiration to those struggling with addiction, and his intercession is sought especially by those battling alcoholism.

 

Reliquary of Matt Talbot. In 1930, Matt Talbot's sister, a Tertiary of St. Saviour's, bequeathed the piece of his pillow and the threads from the jumper he was wearing the day he died.
Mats' “Door” is beside St. Joseph’s Altar. He always came to the church through this door and left in the same way. Never entering through the great west door on Dominick Street.
Place of death. It was a Dominican friar from St. Saviour's community who attended his lifeless body on Gramby Lane. The last sacraments were not given due to his sudden death.

Prayer for the Canonisation of Venerable 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 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