Relics of Venerable Matt Talbot were recently hosted at the First Friday evening Mass at the Church of All Saints, Ballymena, Co. Antrim, by the Knights of St Columbanus. A First-Class relic, a tip of the Venerable finger, his rosary beads and the chain he was wearing when he collapsed and died, were brought to Ballymena from Dublin by the Chairman of the Knights Matt Talbot Centenary Committee, Michael Murphy.
Grand Knight Declan Stephen said they were “very pleased to have organised this event.” He said, “It was spiritually a very uplifting occasion, and it was obvious that venerating the relics meant a great deal to all of those attending.”
The relics visit celebrated Venerable Matt Talbot’s centenary year of his death. During the relics visit, Mr Murphy gave a talk on Venerable Matt Talbot and spoke about how many people have found devotion to him helpful during their addiction recovery.
Parish Priest Fr Michael McGinnity offered to those recovering from addiction the assistance of the parish support group, which meets weekly and helps people who are in the process of recovery.
