Fr. Alban Butler
Fr. Alban Butler (1710 – 1773) was an English priest, author, and hagiographer. He is best remembered for his famous work entitled The Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs, and Other Principal Saints ("Butler's Lives of the Saints").
The Joyous Feast of St. Nicholas
St. Nicholas, the patron Saint of Russia, was born toward the end of the third century. His uncle, the Archbishop of Myra in Lycia, ordained him priest, and appointed him abbot of a monastery; and on the death of the archbishop he was elected to the vacant see. Throughout his life he retained the bright…
Reflection on the Feast of St. Cecilia
In the evening of her wedding day, with the music of the marriage hymn ringing in her ears, Cecilia, a rich, beautiful, and noble Roman maiden, renewed the vow by which she had consecrated her virginity to God. “Pure be my heart and undefiled my flesh; for I have a spouse you know not of—an…
Remembering the Dead on All Souls Day
November 2—ALL SOULS The Church teaches us that the souls of the just who have left this world soiled with the stain of venial sin remain for a time in a place of expiation, where they suffer such punishment as may be due to their offenses. It is a matter of faith that these suffering…
All Saints Day Reflection
November 1—ALL SAINTS The Church pays, day by day, a special veneration to some of the holy men and women who have helped to establish the Church by their blood, develop it by their labors, or edify it by their virtues. But, in addition to those whom the Church honors by special designation, or has…
Reflection on the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi
Reflection—“My God and my all,” St. Francis’ constant prayer, explains both his poverty and his wealth. St. Francis, the son of a merchant of Assisi, was born in that city in 1182. Chosen by God to be a living manifestation to the world of Christ’s poor and suffering life on earth, he was early inspired…