Signed by Dr. Bob Smith & Father Pfau - AA Retreat Book - June 1948
In June 1944, Father Ralph Pfau, also known by the pseudonym Father John Doe, started hosting Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) retreats at St. Joseph's College in Rensselaer, Indiana. These retreats are significant in the history of AA as they were among the first of their kind. However, it is challenging to definitively state if these were the absolute first AA retreats without additional historical documentation.
Father Pfau was the first Roman Catholic priest to join AA, entering the program in 1943. His work was pioneering in integrating AA's principles with spiritual and religious practices, making the program more accessible to individuals who wanted to incorporate their faith into their recovery process.
Dr. Bob, one of the co-founders of AA along with Bill Wilson, did have interactions with Father Pfau, though the details of their relationship are less extensively documented than those with other early AA figures. Dr. Bob's involvement in the AA retreats at St. Joseph's College in 1948 indicates his support and perhaps his interest in promoting these retreats as a valuable tool for recovery. It suggests that there was a mutual respect and recognition of the importance of retreats in the recovery process, aligning with AA's broader aims.
Dr. Bob's participation in these retreats would have likely provided significant endorsement, helping to solidify the importance and effectiveness of retreat-based recovery programs within the AA community and beyond. Father Pfau's role in these retreats and his broader contributions to AA were instrumental in exploring how religious practices could intersect with the secular foundations of AA, creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for individuals seeking recovery through spiritual strength.
AA Retreat Book by Father Ralph Pfau (Father John Doe) - June 1948
SOUVENIR of the FOURTH ANNUAL RETREAT for MEMBERS of ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS on JUNE 11, 12, 13, 1948 at ST. JOSEPH COLLEGE.
This amazing piece of AA History has been inscribed and signed by both AA cofounder, Dr. Bob Smith and author of this book, Father Ralph Pfau.
Dr. Bob’s inscription reads:
”For Diane, in your continued success in AA. Dr. Bob Smith”
Father Ralph Pfau Inscription reads:
”To Diane, With love. Father Pfau - 3/13/52”
The previous owner and person the inscriptions in this book were dedicated to, hand wrote on the second page, “Diane + Lyle Dawn”
This book, being from June 1948, is one of the earliest books released by Father Pfau. The content pages of this souvenir book are identical to “The Golden Book of Charity” by Father John Doe, with exception for the last chapter of the book of Charity not present in this Retreat book. This Retreat book includes pages at the front of the book about the retreat and the schedule of events for the weekend.
This AA Retreat book and the “Golden Book of Charity“ were both released in 1948. “The Golden Book of Charity” was later renamed “The Golden Book of Tolerance”. The Golden Book of Charity is the rarest first printing Golden Book to find today. The middle page in the book is a map of Saint Joseph College.
Father Ralph Pfau was the third most published early A.A. author (only Bill Wilson the founder and Richmond Walker had more books out in print), and was the first Roman Catholic priest to get sober in A.A.
He was born in Indianapolis, educated at St. Meinrad Archabbey in southern Indiana, and served Catholic churches all over Indianapolis, as well as other towns in Indiana. After taking up full time A.A. work, he made his headquarters in three rooms at the Convent of the Good Shepherd in Indianapolis, with three nuns serving as his secretaries and assistants.
The retreats initiated by Father Ralph Pfau at St. Joseph's College in Rensselaer, Indiana, from 1944 onwards did indeed evolve into what he later called his "Golden Book Retreats." these retreats were named after a series of books that Father Pfau authored, which were collectively known as "The Golden Books." These books dealt with topics related to spirituality and recovery in the context of Alcoholics Anonymous and were aimed at helping individuals in AA understand and incorporate spiritual principles into their recovery.
Father Pfau's retreats and his Golden Books were instrumental in integrating spiritual guidance with the practical steps of AA. His work helped members see how spiritual well-being and religious practices could be effectively blended with AA's steps, particularly for those who sought a religious context in their recovery process.
The Golden Book Retreats continued the tradition of the early retreats at St. Joseph's College by focusing on spiritual renewal and recovery, enhancing the therapeutic aspects of solitude, reflection, and community in a retreat setting. These retreats expanded on the original purpose and offered more structured spiritual guidance aligned with the teachings from his Golden Books. They played a significant role in shaping the approach to spirituality within the AA program for many of its members who were seeking such guidance.
Please view all of the photos for the conditions.