February 1954

the most intriguing study you have none. It neither commends nor con- . entered upon. Two things stand out: demns any man’s religious beliefs. Second in a series of religious views of AA, by non- there are no half-way measures; it is Controversy is completely and entirely alcoholics of various faiths. An article by a Protestant all or nothing; and the approach is so outside its field and scope. minister appeared in the November issue. Others will basically sound and so soundly spirit- AA has one specific purpose-to appear from time to time. ual that you will say without hesita- provide the means of a happy sobriety tion, “The Finger of God is Here!” for its members. It is not a substi- The alcoholic who really is deter- tute for the specific Faith that a man mined to quit gives himself to God- possesses. If a Catholic member completely, without cavil, without worked his AA program and neglected A Jesuit Applauds AA reservation. He follows it up with a his Catholic religious duties, he might graduated program, consisting of keep sober, but he wouldn’t be a twelve spiritual steps. “He’s in,” and Catholic. If he tries to be an ordi- By William J. Smith, S.J. he knows it. For the rest of his life, narily good Catholic but skimps on Brooklyn, N. Y. his one all-consuming purpose is to his AA program, he may fulfill his stay “in.” He does that by becoming Catholic religious duties, but the an apostle to other alcoholics. chances are that he will go out and you have ever been inclined to and-outer. An &oholic’s life runs I snicker F when you heard the words along as though cut to a pattern. In Analyze it as you like. Question it. Scoff at it. Say, “It’s impossible.” get drunk. There is no mystery about this. “Alcoholics Anonymous,” you owe a some cases the dip from normality lot of people an apology. Thousands and respectability to abnormality, The simple fad is that it works and Alcoholism is not merely a moral and have come to scoff and remained to degradation and disgrace is a sudden it does the job as no one else, no spiritual problem. It is a physical one; in most cases, it is a gradual other agency, has been able to do it. malady as well. Faith-healing is not Pray. a doctrine of the Catholic Church. We had often heard about these descent from sane living into a slow The reason? One. The candidate AA groups; but it is just recently enslavement to drink. for AA must throw himself into the The Catholic AA needs the AA prothat we have had occasion to take Once the thin thread that separates arms of God, as he understands God. gram to keep him sober; he needs the an active interest in their undertak- the “social” drinker from the alco- Two. He makes it a day-to-day, fullness of his Catholic Faith for the ings. It may sound like a Hollywood holic is broken, there is no fool-proof twenty-four-hour struggle to stay in perfecting of his soul. There is no press release, but “terrific!” was the remedy known to the medical pro- God’s grace and Presence. Three. He contradiction in the two. One suppleword that came to mind when we fession that can cure the disease. The aims to make any sacrifice to share his ments the other. fully realized what they are doing. usual spiritual remedies are at best new-found blessing with another alco- If this were a Catholic movement, Here, indeed, is the rejected corner- a temporary relief. The non-alcoholic holic in need of help. we would not hesitate to call it the stone become the keystone of the world has never been able to pene- The social and spiritual security greatest example of “Catholic Action” building. Here is an example of the trate the alcoholic mind successfully. of .every single member is bound up in the country. It isn’t a Catholic impossible made possible; of “lifting But the groups that are now known in the welfare of all. This is social movement, though many Catholics are yourself up by your own boot- as “Alcoholics Anonymous” have per- action with a capital “S.” in it. straps.” formed that miracle and their success AA is not a religion. It is the basis Like any human organization, there The AA makes no bones about is increasingly astounding. of a new way of life. It insists upon are degrees of success and exrmtiqir conceding what he “was.” A rummy, If you are not familiar with their and stresses the, absolute need of of the program. Some stand out a bum, a derelict, a no-good down- therapy and technique, you will find it more prominently than others: There spiritual principles in life. It encourages each member to follow his own is no doubt in our mind that the Faith or to find a Faith if he has active AA member displays an apos-

‘ tolic spirit of sacrifice that is remi- surrender of self to the Supreme niscent of the Early Christians. Being. How could it fail? How Pius XI said that the worker must could it be anything else but probecome the apostle to the worker; the gressively successful? employer to the employer. The AA Active membership in Alcoholics man or woman fulfills that technique Anonymous is a hard-won Badge of to the alcoholic and no one else can Honor worthy of the admiration of play the role. all. This is a leaven, with a limitless The movement is built on humility, potential. It must be dear to the Heart honesty, courage, charity, complete of Christ-Whom many of the AAs faith and trust in God, a deliberate do not yet even know.