Joseph C. Martin (October 12, 1924 – March 9, 2009) was a Roman Catholic priest, recovered alcoholic and renowned speaker/educator on the issues of alcoholism and drug addiction.

Background

Martin attended St. Thomas Aquinas elementary school from 1930 to 1938, then completed four years of secondary education at Loyola high school. He then went on to Loyola College and graduated in 1944.

Martin entered St. Mary's Seminary in Baltimore, Maryland in 1944, where he studied philosophy and theology. On May 22, 1948, at the age of 24, Joseph C. Martin was ordained as a priest for the Archdiocese of Baltimore.

Martin's first assignment was to St. Joseph's College, a preparatory seminary serving the Archdiocese of San Francisco. In 1951, Martin completed the rigorous training required to become a Sulpician. His next assignment was at the Sulpician Seminary St. Charles College in Catonsville, Maryland.

During this time, Martin's began drinking excessively and his behaviour became more and more erratic. Despite repeated warnings, he was unable to get his drinking under control. Finally, the Archdiocese was forced to take action and sent Martin for intervention and treatment.