Covering October through December, Alban Butler’s fourth volume combines saints’ lives with editorial guidance on historical discernment, bibliographical abbreviations, and the evidentiary value of formal beatification records. The entries range from bishops, monastic founders, missionaries, rulers, and contemplatives to ordinary workers whose fidelity sanctifies daily labor. Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross embody Carmelite reform through enclosure, poverty, prayer, mystical experience, opposition, and imprisonment; Wilfrid defends Roman practice, preaches among the South Saxons and Frisians, and frees slaves; and Francis Xavier serves children, slaves, and persecuted communities in India and Japan while confronting colonial abuses. Ambrose’s resistance to imperial seizure of churches and his demand for Theodosius’s public penance exemplify episcopal courage, while Frances Xavier Cabrini establishes schools, orphanages, hospitals, and congregations for immigrants across the Americas.

Repeated historical notes distinguish secure testimony from late legends, confused relics, and sparse evidence, even as local cults are recorded. The volume closes with the uncertain date and Roman liturgical traditions of Christmas, including the three Masses, then adds a catalogue of later beati with feast days, dates, religious foundations, charitable service, and martyrdoms.