Catholic program provides spiritual support for alcoholics

Published: 2005-09-21

ST. PAUL, Minn. (CNS) -- Al was just 12 years old when his life changed forever. Goaded by his friends, he sampled the contents of an unlocked liquor cabinet. Suddenly he felt powerful, free from all insecurities. From the age of 16 to 25, alcohol's grip was so strong that Al can't recall a sober weekend. One time, he woke up from an alcohol-induced blackout believing he had killed a man. He hadn't, but the experience led Al to seek treatment, then to join Alcoholics Anonymous, where he found a spirituality he had lost long ago. But because of the nondenominational nature of Alcoholics Anonymous, Al found he was discouraged from speaking about his Catholic faith. He began searching for a group of like-minded individuals to walk with him on his faith journey. In 1973, Al's uncle, himself a recovering alcoholic, introduced him to the Calix Society, a Catholic spiritual support group for alcoholics. The aim of Calix, which is Latin for "chalice," is to help alcoholics maintain their sobriety through the guidance of the Catholic Church and support from its members. Now 58, Al has been sober for nearly 35 years, but he still attends Calix meetings at the Cathedral of St. Paul every month.

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