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Mary Ignatia Gavin (1889–1966) of
the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine was known as The
Drunk's "Angel of Hope"
Sr. Ignatia took her vows in 1914 and, as a superb
musician, was called to teach music. She did this for
about 10 years but found it "too hectic" and suffered a
nervous breakdown. When she recovered, she began working
as a nurse. On [[August 16], 1935, Sister Ignatia was in
charge of admissions at St. Thomas Hospital in Akron,
Ohio. She and Dr. Bob Smith (doctor), admitted the first
alcoholic patient who would be the first of millions to
participate in the
Twelve-step program of recovery.
Many of
Alcoholics Anonymous' ideas — including the use of tokens to
mark milestones in sobriety — were introduced by
Sister Ignatia. She gave alcoholics leaving St. Thomas a Sacred
Heart medallion, instructing them that the acceptance of
the medallion represented commitment to God,
Alcoholics Anonymous and
recovery. She added that if they were going to drink,
they should return the medallion first.
She was also the first to recognize the use of coffee
for alcoholics, insisting that it be freely available in
every stage of recovery.
Between 1935 and 1965 she successfully treated
thousands of alcoholics. Sister Ignatia pioneered the
recognition of alcoholism among priests and nuns. She
was remembered for her kindness, honesty and
nonjudgmental love.
In 1961, given an award by President Kennedy, she
accepted the award not for herself but in the name of
her religious community and profession.
In 1954, she was awarded the Catherine of Sienna
Medal by the Theta Pi Alpha Sorority of National
Catholic Women's Colleges. She was honored for her
"outstanding achievement in one of our major problems
affecting our country today — alcoholism."
"The
alcoholic is deserving of sympathy. Christ-like
charity and intelligent care are needed so that with
God's grace he or she may be given the opportunity to
accept a new philosophy of life." -Sister Ignatia
Sister Ignatia retired in May 1965. She died eleven
months later, April 1, 1966
All text is available under the terms of
the
GNU Free Documentation License. |
Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book 4th Edition Hardcover
Alcoholics Anonymous-the Big Book-has served as a
lifeline to millions worldwide.
 Sr Ignatia Second Edition
Sister Mary Ignatia Gavin epitomized the spirit of love,
service, and honesty that today are the hallmarks of Alcoholics
Anonymous. As a hospital admissions officer in the 1930s
in Akron, Ohio, Sr. Ignatia befriended Dr. Bob Smith,
co-founder
of AA, and courageously arranged for the hospitalization
of alcoholics at a time when alcoholism was viewed as a
character weakness rather than a disease.
Sister Ignatia Second Edition
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Sr Ignatia Second Edition
Sister Mary Ignatia Gavin epitomized the spirit of love,
service, and honesty that today are the hallmarks of Alcoholics
Anonymous. As a hospital admissions officer in the 1930s
in Akron, Ohio, Sr. Ignatia befriended Dr. Bob Smith,
co-founder
of AA, and courageously arranged for the hospitalization
of alcoholics at a time when alcoholism was viewed as a
character weakness rather than a disease.
Sister Ignatia Second Edition
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