Butler's Lives of the Saints

There is no greater authority on the saints than Alban Butler, and his

enormous research has been the standard reference on the subject for the last

two and a half centuries. This new adaptation of Butler's multi-volume _Lives

of the Saints_ presents a modernized text for today's reader and provides an

illuminating guide to these historic, symbolic, and foundational Christian men

and women.

Butler's daily readings from the lives and works of the saints offer readers

of all backgrounds the opportunity to engage directly with these great

figures. Butler's distinctive contribution to stories about saints was to turn

attention away from the superhuman, miraculous themes that are prevalent in

earlier works. He gives us saints who are examples of Christian living, who

provide inspiration for our own lives, in every time and circumstance. As

Butler writes: "They were once what we are now, travelers on earth. They had

the same weaknesses we have. We have difficulties; so had the saints."

Important features of this version include mention of recently canonized

saints as well as those whose path to official sainthood is still in progress.

Also included in the daily readings are more obscure saints whose lives and

contributions to Christianity should not be forgotten.