Fortitude

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The fifth of the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit is “Fortitude.”

According to Catholic Answers::

Fortitude denotes a firmness of mind in doing good and in avoiding evil, particularly when it is difficult or dangerous to do so, and the confidence to overcome all obstacles, even deadly ones, by virtue of the assurance of everlasting life.

“Firmness of mind” recalls the “singleness of purpose” that people in recovery are supposed to have with regard to pursuing sobriety.  Maintaining this fortitude “when it is difficult or dangerous” implies courage. “Courage” recalls the Serenity Prayer:

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. 

With the  “courage to change the things I can,” we come to the moral dimensions of “doing good and in avoiding evil;” we all inherently know what this is as the natural law of knowing good versus evil is written in the hearts of all people. The corruption of our wills by our addiction and the sines committed as a consequence certainly make it difficult to discern the difference. All the more reason to cultivate a relationship with the Holy Spirit; doing so clears the way for our ability to better choose good over evil. And as I mentioned in “Counsel…”

developing a relationship with the Blessed Virgin Mary (the one and only Spouse of the Holy Spirit) 

…can only help this along.

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

Counsel

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The fourth of the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit is “Counsel.”

According to Catholic Answers::

Counsel allows a man to be directed by God in matters necessary for his salvation.

I mentioned in the post on Knowledge:

If you look over the list of the seven gifts, you can conclude that all depend upon and work with each other. All the more reason for us to draw closer to the Holy Spirit. We ask for the “wisdom to know” about things we have to deal with and the things of the spirit: the moral and ethical decisions that confront us. Stick close to the Sacraments as they enliven the indwelling of the Holy Spirit within you.

It appears to me that “Wisdom” and “Knowledge” (as well as “Understanding” contribute to “Counsel.” Once you have cultivated those first three, Counsel seems to naturally follow.

We are all “Trudging the Road of Happy Destiny,” and we need not go it alone. While the fellowship of a Twelve Step movement may appeal to some, it isn’t all there is. Cultivating a relationship with the Holy Spirit isn’t something we should only pay attention to in the latter part of the Easter season. It should be an ongoing, daily thing (I’m also speaking to myself on this!) Walking with the Church in the liturgical year, confessing your sins regularly (at least once a month) and most definitely developing a relationship with the Blessed Virgin Mary (the one and only Spouse of the Holy Spirit.) 

When I decided to write this series of posts of the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit, I wasn’t aware that I’d be developing the idea that the gifts aren’t necessarily separate things, but are a contiguous whole. Perhaps “as if” there is “one gift” but it has seven interdependent components, all contributing to the whole. 

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

Knowledge

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The third of the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit is “Knowledge.” We are also familiar with this gift since we appeal for it in the Serenity Prayer along with Wisdom:

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

According to Catholic Answers::

Knowledge is the ability to judge correctly about matters of faith and right action, so as to never wander from the straight path of justice. 

It is probably that gift of the Holy Spirit most affected by our drinking as we can hardly ‘judge correctly’ about anything, much less about “matters of faith and right action.”

If you look over the list of the seven gifts, you can conclude that all depend upon and work with each other. All the more reason for us to draw closer to the Holy Spirit. We ask for the “wisdom to know” about things we have to deal with and the things of the spirit: the moral and ethical decisions that confront us. Stick close to the Sacraments as they enliven the indwelling of the Holy Spirit within you.

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

Understanding

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The second of the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit is “Understanding.”

According to Catholic Answers::

Understanding is penetrating insight into the very heart of things, especially those higher truths that are necessary for our eternal salvation—in effect, the ability to “see” God.

By “seeing” God I think they are referring to understanding Him through His revelations. There are two revelations of God: The personal self-revelation of His by means of the Prophets, Patriarchs and so on until His Son’s Incarnation, Death and Resurrection; and afterwards with the Apostles and their direct descendents: the Popes and Bishops of the Church in union the Pope. The other revelation is knowing God through His works, that it, Creation. The means for understanding Creation is the methodology and disciplines of Science. Therefore, Religion and Science are the twin paths of Divine Revelation. I think that St. Augutine of Hippo came up with this first and was echoed by Pope St. John Paul II.

If we are endowed with the Holy Spirit’s Gift of Understanding, we will have greater insight into the Truths of the Faith, and, properly guided by Faith and with humble intention, the workings of Nature. Who knows what we can accomplish? (I have a personal convition that since scientists are typically agnostic or outright atheists, their ability to make deep discoveries in Science is limited. If you do not acknowledge the Creator, how can you fully understand His creations? It’s like trying to understand what an author ‘was getting at’ in their novel, but refusing to learn anything about the author. Of course, it’s possible to enjoy the novel anyway, but if you have a knowledge of the author’s life, you come to have a greater grasp of particular scene  if it’s autobiographical or representative of the author’s belief system.)

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

Wisdom: the teachable heart

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The first of the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit is “Wisdom.” We are somewhat familiar with this gift inasmuch as we appeal for it in the Serenity Prayer:

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

According to Catholic Answers:

Wisdom is both the knowledge of and judgment about “divine things” and the ability to judge and direct human affairs according to divine truth.

“Wisdom” is knowing the difference between things. We do not rest in our own minds, but reach out and consider an object (an act or a thing) in light of its moral dimension. The things we can have and shouldn’t have, should do and shouldn’t.

Wisdom is allowing God’s Will into our lives, essentially the working out of Steps 2 and 3 of Alcoholics Anonymous. We face a path ahead of us, this “Trudging the Road of Happy Destiny,” and we know not where to go, what path to take. Wisdom helps us. So, how do we get this ‘wisdom?’

By asking for it. In 1 Kings 3, Solomon asked for wisdom… 

1 Kings 3:9  “…Therefore, give to your servant a teachable heart, so that he may be able to judge your people, and to discern between good and evil. For who will be able to judge this people, your people, who are so many?”

…and it pleased God that he did this:

1 Kings 3:10-12 “And the word was pleasing before the Lord, that Solomon had requested this kind of thing. And the Lord said to Solomon: “Since you have requested this word, and you have not asked for many days or for wealth for yourself, nor for the lives of your enemies, but instead you have requested for yourself wisdom in order to discern judgment:behold, I have done for you according to your words, and I have given you a wise and understanding heart…”

Scripture quotes courtesy of Sacred Bible: Catholic Public Domain Version

God is always willing to grant you the things He wants to give you. All you have to do is ask. In today’s political and social climate, it is obvious that Wisdom is lacking on all sides. Perhaps it is ‘wise’ to adopt AA’s maxim regarding ‘outside issues’ (things extraneous to the job of keeping sober and clean) and just focus on ‘cleaming up our own side of the street’ (tending to the things that belong in our own personal lives: our sobriety, family, work, whatever. And as Catholics: our soul.)

Go to Confession as soon as possible. Make a ‘fearless and searching’ thorough examination of conscience. Go through the Ten Commandments, the Beatitudes, and a list of the Seven Corporal and Seven Spiritual Works of Mercy. Pray to the Holy Spirit for guidance as you fearlessly search through your conscience and soul as to how you stand with regard to each. Then, once the cruft and glop of sin has been removed from your soul, ask for Wisdom.

Ten Commandments

  1. I am the Lord your God; you shall not have strange gods before Me.

  2. You shall not take the Name of the Lord your God in vain.

  3. Remember to keep holy the Lord’s day.

  4. Honor your father and your mother.

  5. You shall not kill.

  6. You shall not commit adultery.

  7. You shall not steal.

  8. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour.

  9. You shall not covet your neighbour’s wife.

  10. You shall not covet your neighbour’s goods.

 

The Beatitudes

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are the meek, for they shall possess the earth. 

Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for justice, for they shall be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. 

Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see God. 

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.

Blessed are they who suffer persecution for justice’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when men reproach you, and persecute you, and speaking falsely, say all manner of evil against you, for My sake.

 

The Seven Corporal Works of Mercy:

To feed the hungry;

To give drink to the thirsty;

To clothe the naked;

To shelter the homeless;

To care for the sick;

To ransom the captive/visit the imprisoned

To bury the dead.

 

The Spiritual Works of Mercy:

To instruct the ignorant;

To counsel the doubtful;

To admonish sinners;

To bear wrongs patiently;

To forgive offenses willingly;

To comfort the afflicted;

To pray for the living and the dead.

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit

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Since Pentecost Sunday is fast approaching, I thought I’d blog about each of the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit and how they relate to recovery. The Seven Gifts are:

Wisdom

Understanding

Knowledge

Counsel

Fortitude

Piety

Fear of the Lord (Or, my preferred term, “Holy Fear.”)

There will be one post on each over the next few days. Enjoy!

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

My 23rd Soberversary

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NOTE: This is adapted from earlier posts.

On this day in 2002, I had my last drunk. I have conflicting memories of what happened (I may have to search through old blog posts of prior soberversaries, but even in those I recall not completely recalling events.) At any rate, it’s of no consequence any more. Twenty-three years and everyone involved in my life back then is either dead or disappeared. Sorrow for the former, good riddance (mostly) for the latter. We move on and consign the past to God’s mercy, the present to His grace and the future to His Providence.

Today is also the Feast day of St. Rita of Cascia, who I think picked me to be her client, talked to me once, and can be a great aid to those of us in recovery, and those who are lost. She and many other of my saintly friends have become increasingly important as I trudge my way to my (hopefully) happy destiny. I wrote about them in my book The Sober Catholic Way, which I discussed quite a lot in recent interviews with Anne Costa and Bear Woznick.

If you would like to help me celebrate, you can buy it. It has a page which I keep updated as to its availabiity.

“The Sober Catholic Way” helps Catholics by describing the many ways in which their faith can assist in maintaining sobriety. Drawn from nearly two decades of blogging at SoberCatholic.com, “The Sober Catholic Way” shows the importance of the sacraments, the Bible, the Catechism and other books. It continues on with the various ways one can “live” out Catholicism by nurturing devotions to the Sacred Heart, Blessed Virgin Mary, and other saints. All of these contribute to sobriety as well as one’s spiritual progression!

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Discover the importance of the Real Presence, the Rosary, the Stations of the Cross, St. Joseph, St. Therese (the “Little Flower”) and Matt Talbot. You’ll get ideas on how to apply the Beatitudes, the Divine Mercy Message, as well as learning about the Apparitions of Our Lady at Guadalupe, Lourdes and Fatima and how they can guide one’s life.

“The Sober Catholic Way” is a basic handbook on how anyone can live a sober life. This book does not guarantee anything, but doing these things have helped the author keep his sobriety intact since May 22, 2002. Will he ever drink again? Quite unlikely, but the tools to help recover from a relapse are in every chapter! The love and mercy of God is everlasting and endless!

It is currently available through Amazon on Amazon Kindle, as well as a paperback: click here to buy as a paperback.

It is also now available at numerous other ebook retailers like Apple Books and Barnes and Noble. For others, just go here and click on the logo of your fave online bookshop.

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And there are my two classic Sober Catholic Books: The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics:

…is a book that is rooted in an ancient Catholic devotion. It is intended to assist Catholics and other Christians finddeeper meaning in their struggles with alcoholism, by connecting the oftentimes hard road of sobriety with Jesus’ suffering road to His Crucifixion. The reader sees that their old alcoholic ‘self’ is being led to the Cross and the joy of eventual resurrection of a new sober self can follow. Whether they are still drinking and struggling, or have been sober for many years and still have difficulties coping with sobriety, this book should help readers maintain that sobriety.

and “The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts” which:

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helps people to reflect on their recovery and relationships with others, and ultimately with Jesus Himself. 

Whether people are still struggling with their addictions, or have been clean and sober for a few weeks, months, or years, the reflections will lead them to meditate on the spiritual growth they have achieved so far.

It takes a time-honored prayer and brings it into a useful format for people to pause and reflect on their recovery, their relationships with others, and ultimately with Jesus Himself. Whether people are still struggling with their addictions, or have been clean and sober for a few weeks or months, or many years, the reflections for each Mystery of the Rosary will help them meditate on the spiritual growth they have achieved so far. Over the years, their thoughts on each meditation may change, depending on “where they’re at” in their recovery journey.

Click on those links (or the ones at the bottom of the post) to find out where you can get them.

If you have the books and would  just like to contribute to help me defray the costs of this blog (hosting is not free, nor is the web address,) you can PayPal Me. (My real name IS Paul Sofranko, in case you get worried when you go to PayPal. Any amount is appreciated! My hosting and web address bill is due in a couople of weeks…

I have one last book, it isn’t intended for people in recovery, rather for Catholic creatives. However, and this thought ocurred to me, if you have been clean and sober for a while, and wonder what to do with yourself, then:

Building a Civilization of Love: A Call to Creative Catholics may be the book for you! You’ve ‘fixed’ yourself, maybe you can help fix the culture!

BuildingaCivilizationofLoveCover81224-4.1 copy.

“Building a Civilization of Love: A Call to Creative Catholics” is my new book exhorting Catholics to apply their faith to change the culture for the better!

“”Building a Civilization of Love: A Call to Creative Catholics” is a call to arms, or rather, a call to pens, paintbrushes, and video cameras, for creative Catholics to take up St. Maximilian Maria Kolbe’s call to infiltrate pop culture and help alleviate the ills that pervade contemporary society. St. Maximilian saw back in the 1920s how the use of cinema, radio, and mass-market books was corrupting society. He thought that those same tools could be used as a force to counter this corruption. “Building a Civilization of Love: A Call to Creative Catholics” tells how the teachings of the Catholic Faith can be used to provide a road map out of our current morass and a blueprint to build a more just and fair society constructed according to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy and other elements of traditional Catholic Social Teachings (CST).

Furthermore, it explains through the example of three critical apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Guadalupe, Lourdes, and Fatima how she herself suggested strategies and alternatives to the dehumanizing and increasingly pagan contemporary culture we have today.

“Building a Civilization of Love: A Call to Creative Catholics “concludes by showing how the Catholic Faith can be used to provide a road map out of our current morass and a blueprint to build a more just and fair society constructed according to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy and other elements of traditional Catholic Social Teachings.Interested? It’s available as an ebook through Amazon KDP! Don’t like ebooks? Here’s the paperback version link!

Once again you can also PayPal Me to support my work here. I really do appreciate any contribution!

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

May the Lord bless and keep safe Pope Leo XIV

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In a few hours Leo XIV will be inaugurated as the 267th successor to St. Peter. As the “Pope,” he is the Vicar of Christ, the visible Head of the Catholic Church, and he (or his own successors) will reign until the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

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I haven’t been this excited about a Pope since like forever. I loved Pope St. John Paul II but the Internet wasn’t available to the public back in 1978 and following the daily doings of the Holy Father wasn’t as easy as it is today. If you lived near a parish which provided for Catholic newspapars (Our Sunday Visitor, National Catholic Register, Twin Circle, and others) or lived in a large city with public and university libraries, you could follow along fairly well. Still, not like nowadays with official and unofficial websites providing almost hourly coverage. Also, as with regards to the reign of JP2, I had left the Catholic Church for most of his reign, reverting only a few years before his death. So, JP2 is, to me, mostly a figure found in books and websites; although I do have an odd personal connection to him. I also deeply appreciated Pope Benedict XVI; but he didn’t touch my heart like JP2. I also resent a little his abdication in 2013. Pope Francis did not impress me much, I never warmed to him until earlier this year when he was gravely ill. There were a few things about his papacy that I liked, namely the “Year of Mercy” and a few other things. There was quite a lot I didn’t care for (The Pachamama idol and his assault on the Extraordinary Form of the Latin Rite (“Traditionis Custodes” and his allowance of divorced and civilly remarried Catholics to recieve Holy Communion.) Nevertheless, I fell in between the two extremes of his haters and advocates. In never thought he was as bad as his detractors (calumniators?) claimed, nor did I feel he was the awesomesauce as his fans proposed. But, he was the Pope and now he’s gone. Eternal Rest grant unto him, O Lord…

And now we have an American Pope (never thought I’d ever see the day.) I’ve been kind of obsessed with social media coverage, as well as the legitimate news channels reporting, of him. Pope Leo XIV gives me a lot of Pope St. John Paul II vibes, with a huge dose of Benedict XVI, and a fair amount of the acceptable parts of Francis. The JP2 aspects include his seeming youthful enthusiasm, missionary spirit, doctrinal clarity, and social communication skills; the B16 parts also includes doctrinal clarity and liturgical expertise.  The Francis elements are his social justice advocacy; but this part of his makeup also seems to be heavily influenced by Leo’s  apparent orthodox doctrinal qualities. There also seems to be a rise in prophetic discussion regarding him, but I won’t go that route, now.

I am unsure how often I will post about him. I went to Saturday Vigil Mass so that I can stay up until 3AM to watch his inauguration on EWTN and not worry about my Sunday Mass obligation (not really an issue as I always attend the Vigil Mass.) Now, to load up on coffee!

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

WATCH ME on the new Mission Revive podcast!

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WATCH ME on the new Mission Revive podcast! Anne Costa is rebooting her podcast for her Revive-Hope and Healing Ministries! 

Quote: “Join Mission Revive’s hosts Anne Costa for a an informative podcast with our guest Paul Sofranko.

Paul is a sober alcoholic and revert to the Church who found continued sobriety in the Sacraments, devotions and prayer life of the Church.

He started Sober Catholic  back in 2007 after he had unsuccessfully searched all over for a blog or discussion site that focused on alcoholism and sobriety/recovery from a Catholic perspective. He created what he was looking for: a site that discusses how the Catholic Church, with Her rich traditions of Saints and miracles, and especially with Her Sacraments such as the Holy Eucharist and Confession, can help you maintain your sobriety.

He has also written several devotional books for sober (or sobering) Catholics. “The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts,” and “Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics” and more recently “The Sober Catholic Way.”

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

St. Matthias, Apostle: Patron of Alcoholics

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Today is the feast day of the Apostle, St. Matthias, whose election to replace Judas Iscariot established “apostolic succession” as a doctrine of the Church. St. Matthias is a patron of alcoholics by virtue of certain writings attributed to him while he was preaching in Egypt and Ethiopia.

While preaching the Gospel message, Matthias emphasized the importance of self-control. In order to experience the peace and joy that God intends, Matthias said, people must subordinate their physical desires to their spiritual desires.

The physical body is only temporary and subject to many temptations to sin and illnesses, while the spiritual soul is permanent and able to discipline the body for good purposes. Matthias preached that the Holy Spirit will empower people to exercise self-control over their unhealthy physical desires so they can experience good health in both body and soul.

Source: Hopler, Whitney. “St. Matthias the Apostle, Patron Saint of Alcoholics.” Learn Religions, Mar. 4, 2021, learnreligions.com/st-matthias-the-apostle-124663.

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Here are some novenas to St.Matthias. I know I’m late, as these should be prayed from May 5th-13th. Just keep them in mind for next year. However, you needn’t pray a novena during the liturgical period for it; you can always pray them any time you feel compelled to. Given that he is an Apostle, I doubt he’d mind. If you stiill prefer to keep to a schedule and can’t wait for next May, in the Catholic Church’s pre-1970 Calendar his feast day was  February 24th (February 25th in leap years.) The Eastern Orthodox honor him on August 9th. 

St Matthias Apostle Novena from Intercede: a Catholic Novena app.

St. Matthias Novena from Pray More Novenas

Here is a video novena that you can use to pray to him 

St. Matthias post archive.

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)