Matt Talbot - Urban ascetic
Matt Talbot - Urban ascetic | The Irish Catholic
( From the above article )
So, where is Matts cause at now? Fr Brain Lawless, Vice Postulator for the Cause of Canonisation of Matt Talbot provided The Irish Catholic with an update.
Speaking to this newspaper, Fr Lawless made it clear that the hierarchy should be pushing for Matt Talbot to be canonised.
Matt was a poor working man from Dublin. He wasnt a member of a religious order and he doesnt have the big machinery behind him that the Franciscans or the Jesuits have to get their saints through. Thats why he cause is so important and needs support, he pleaded.
Part of his charm and endearment is that Matt is just like one of us. But that also goes against him to a certain extent. Thats why Im batting for Matt. Hes one of the little guys, he said.
Fr Lawless, a Dublin native who is responsible for eliciting a miracle that could lead to the beatification and eventual canonisation of Matt Talbot, claims a physical miracle is needed now for his cause to progress to the next stage.
We need a miracle now that is not explainable by science, which is more or less instantaneous, and one that would verify that Matt enjoys the same devotion and regard in Heaven as he does here on earth.
Fr Lawless is adamant, however, that if the process was based on moral miracles alone, Talbot would been made a saint years ago.
There is still every chance that Matt Talbot could be made a saint in our life time. Its just a matter of building up interest and momentum.
At this time, when so many of our communities are affected by the scourge of alcohol and substance misuse, God has chosen Matt as a model of temperance and a source of strength and support to all who suffer from addiction or additive behaviours.
Fr Lawless considers Matt the ultimate lay man. He was very much part of this world. He got up early for mass, he did his days work and spent a lot of his time in prayer. He was able to live his day to day life and develop his spiritual life and faith in an urban setting.
Matt has had a profound effect on the many people whose lives he has touched, particularly those who suffer from addiction. He truly lived the Christian virtues to a heroic extent, and thats why he should be made a saint, he said.
In turn, Fr Lawless openly admits Talbot has had a deep and profound effect on his own life as well.
To see how an ordinary person can do extraordinary things and how the grace of God can work in a persons life to raise them above the ordinary and bring them to great heights is a great example for all of us.
It would mean a lot to me and to the ordinary people of Dublin if Matt were to be made a saint. It would be recognition of Matts generation and of their faith.
It would also be a reminder to us that as we live in a more affluent and sophisticated society that, like Matt, we too can also develop our spiritual lives through prayer despite our busy and hectic schedules.
Surely, if faith is important to us, we, like matt, can make some time during the day for the lord, Fr Lawless said.
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.
ASKING MATT'S HELP IN THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD
Gentle Matt, I turn to you in my present needs and ask for the help of your prayers.
Trusting in you, I am confident your charitable and understanding heart will make my petitions your own.
I believe that you are truly powerful in the presence of Divine Mercy. If it be for the glory of the Sacred Heart of Jesus,
the honour of Mary, our Mother and Queen and the deepening of my relationship with them, show that your goodness towards me, in my daily struggles, equals your influence with the Holy Spirit, who is hidden and at home in my Heart.
Friend of pity, friend of power, hear, oh hear me in this hour, gentle Matt, please pray for me.
