Father Theobald Mathew, OFM Cap., the Apostle of Temperance, greatly struggled against the evils of alcoholism as part of his Total Abstinence Society. Millions, inspired by his message, took the Pledge to give up drinking. However, conflicts with bishops, problems with Irish nationalism, and the Great Famine threatened to undo it all.

Links:
Wikipedia page of Father Mathew with many images related to him
Website devoted to Father Mathew

Sources:
Kerrigan, Colm. Father Mathew and the Irish Temperance Movement: 1838-1849. Cork, Ireland: Cork University Press, 1992.
Quinn, John F. Father Mathew’s Crusade: Temperance in Nineteenth-Century Ireland and Irish America. Amherst: University of Massachusetts Press, 2002.
Quinn, John F. “Father Mathew’s Disciples: American Catholic Support for Temperance, 1840-1920.” Church History 65, no. 4 (December 1, 1996): 624–640.
Townend, Paul A. Father Mathew, Temperance and Irish Identity. Dublin ; Portland, OR: Irish Academic Press, 2002.

Image:
Father Mathew Administering the Temperance Pledge

Image of Father Mathew among other famous Irish
Image of Total Abstinence Society Medal

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#279 – Father Theobald Mathew, Apostle of Temperance – Part One