Father Joseph C. Martin, S.S. October 12, 1924 - March 9, 2009

[RufusACanal]

Father Joseph C. Martin, S.S.
October 12, 1924 - March 9, 2009

My name is Joe Martin, and I'm an alcoholic. Father Martin first uttered this statement in 1958, when he was in treatment for alcoholism at the Guest House, what would prove to be a refuge for him from his drinking and a turning point in his life. His personal journey in recovery prompted a celebrated career in which his only aim was to ease the suffering of individuals and families, around the world, affected by addiction.
He was born on October 12, 1924 in Baltimore, Maryland. He quickly developed a fondness for religion and faith. People fondly recall his special story-telling ability and wonderful sense of humor. In 1942, Father Martin graduated from Loyola College and entered St. Mary's seminary. He was ordained a priest in 1948 and underwent rigorous training to become a Sulpician, a highly regarded teaching society within the Catholic Church. After losing this coveted distinction as a result of his drinking, only in sobriety did he regain this title.

Father Martin taught minor seminarians and fulfilled several teaching roles within the church. It was very evident that he possessed a special ability to educate but his drinking became very troublesome and he was eventually directed to seek help at the Guest House. Father Martin frequently cited the tremendous impact his mentor Austin Ripley had on his journey in recovery. Many of Father Martin's teachings originated in concepts he learned while at the Guest House. His enthusiasm for sobriety coupled with his passion for teaching evolved into an unending quest to ease the suffering of individuals and families affected by addiction. In his career, spanning more than 35 years, Father Martin was catapulted into international acclaim as a prized speaker and educator on addiction and recovery thru the Twelve Steps. He founded Kelly Productions in 1972 and used it as a platform to capture the minds and hearts of millions of people.

Father Martin's message is no less relevant today than in 1972. He will continue to inspire love, service, helpfulness to others, and recovery through the use of his films, audio lectures, and books. In his last year, he shared his vision that he can be remembered so that the still suffering individual affected by addiction might benefit from his God-inspired message of hope.

[bballdad]

thank you Ron

[RufusACanal]

I loved this man with all of my heart. He is on a wonderful journey now!

[NoelleR]

Yes, absolutely, thx Ron......

My sponsor, a truly died-in-the-wool, vociferous atheist, was the chair-person for our Round-Up here in Houston my first year in recovery, and she got Father Martin to speak.....I'll ALWAYS remember his simplistic, yet perfect, defining of AA's first three steps.........:

1) There's a problem;
2) There's a solution; and
3) I get to choose......!

Again......thx Ron

[laurie6781]

He touched so many!

He has now joined the Big Meeting in the sky.

Father Joseph C. Martin, national leader in alcoholism treatment, dies at age 84 -- baltimoresun.com

His chalk talk tapes certainly helped to 'simplify' recovery for me.

Thank you for posting this.

Love and hugs,

[Tazman53]

Father Martin will truly be missed, as stated already, his message was simple yet powerful. He was a man of the cloth, but his message in its pure simplicity came across loud and clear to all.

[Music]

He saved my life!!

[RufusACanal]

Mine as well....

[navysteve]

I met him when I was 30 days sober, I only knew him as Joe until I saw him in his work clothes. I was blessed to get to sit in many of the same meetings as he did and hear him share not as Father Martin, but as another alcoholic.

The viewing will be held March 12 from 1 p.m.- 9 p.m. at the St. Mary's Seminary Laubacher Hall located at 5400 Roland Avenue in Baltimore. A burial mass will be offered at 10 a.m. Friday at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Cathedral and Mulberry streets.

[serenityqueen]

When I was struggling in my quest for Sobriety & Peace, I remember the one treatment center that I was in used Chalk Talks in every phase of their Programs, inpatient, IOP and OP. I remember being on about day 3, dope sick as hell and the last thing I wanted to do was to go to a group. When I heard that we were going to watch a video by a Father Martin, I wanted to scream! I did not want to listen to "some Priest" lecture me when I felt so horrible.

I had been raised (and confused I must add) in the Catholic Church so my only experience with any "Fathers" were the ones in Church. And to be honest, the whole "fear God" thing really left me confused when I was trying to get clean and sober. I looked at the 12 Steps on the wall and as soon as I saw the word God, I wanted to run. I couldn't seperate the fear God concept I felt was pounded into my head with finding a God of my understanding that was loving, kind and forgiving.

When the tape began and I started listening to Father Martin, I was captivated. His gift for grabbing ones attention was truly a Blessing from above. As I listened, I remember feeling that maybe, just maybe, there was hope for me after all.

I imagine he is in Heaven, helping those who were not able to find Recovery, Peace & Serenity while here on earth. I can picture him giving one of his famous lectures to the likes of Elvis, Janis, Jimi, Marilyn, Anna Nicole, Kurt . . .


Judy