Signed by Sister Ignatia - Alcoholics Anonymous Comes Of Age First Printing from 1957

This book is the Alcoholics Anonymous Comes Of Age First Printing from 1957. This book has been inscribed and signed by Sister Ignatia.

The First Printings of this book are notated with “First Edition H-G” on the copyright page. This book was published by Alcoholics Anonymous Publishing, Inc.

On the first page of the book is an inscription and signature by Sister Ignatia.

”To my esteemed Dr. Doean(?),

”But for the grace of God”

Your kind understanding and professional care.

Where would I be??

Your grateful patient in

Sister M. Ignatia”

Sister Mary Ignatia Gavin was a key figure in the early days of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and played a significant role in the history of treatment for alcoholism. Born in 1889 in County Mayo, Ireland, she moved to the United States and eventually became a nun in the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine in Cleveland, Ohio.

Sister Ignatia worked at St. Thomas Hospital in Akron, Ohio, where she collaborated closely with Dr. Bob Smith, one of the co-founders of AA. In an era when alcoholism was largely seen as a moral failing rather than a disease, Sister Ignatia and Dr. Bob pioneered a more compassionate and medical approach to treating the condition.

She was instrumental in establishing the first hospital-based treatment unit for alcoholics at St. Thomas Hospital. Sister Ignatia was known for her deep empathy and understanding of the struggles faced by alcoholics. She introduced several innovative practices:

1. Admitting Alcoholics to the Hospital: She would often admit alcoholics under the guise of treating them for "acute gastritis" to avoid the social stigma associated with alcoholism.
   
2. Use of the "Little Medals": Upon their discharge, she gave each recovering alcoholic a Sacred Heart medallion, which they were expected to return if they started drinking again. This medallion is thought to have inspired the AA token system used today to mark sobriety milestones.

3. Emphasis on the Spiritual: Reflecting the influence of the Oxford Group’s principles, she emphasized the importance of spiritual growth and community support in recovery, aligning closely with the steps and traditions developed by AA.

Sister Mary Ignatia's work has had a lasting impact on the treatment of alcoholism, blending medical care with a strong emphasis on spiritual healing and community support. Her approach not only influenced the practices within Alcoholics Anonymous but also set a precedent for integrating medical treatment with holistic and spiritual care in addressing addiction.

This book is in excellent condition. There is very little wear to this book. There is no writing or markings inside this book other than the inscription on the first page. This book has an original  dust jacket. The jacket has experienced some edge wear and small tears.

Please view all of the photos for the conditions.