Individual Details
Robert BUTLER
(16 Jan 1836 - 1 Nov 1902)
Robert's baptismal sponsors were Isaac Joseph Fairbrother and Helena Fairbrother.
Robert studied for either one year or two at Sedgley Park School in Wolverhampton until the age of about 14 when he began studies for the priesthood at St. Edmund's College in Ware, Hertfordshire, starting in 1850. He received the Tonsure (cutting or shaving of all or part of the hair as a ritual of induction into religious life) in 1854 and the Minor Orders the following year. He was ordained Sub-deacon in St. Edmund's College Chapel on 7 March 1857 and Deacon on 27 February 1858. He then joined the newly formed Congregation of Oblates of St. Charles, based in Bayswater, London, and in September 1858 he left for Rome where he was ordained in 1860. He then returned to Bayswater where he served for about 17 years in the parish of St. Mary and All Angels.
In 1877 Robert was present at the death of Pope Pius IX. From the sermon given by a Monsignor Ward at Robert's funeral we are told that "Cardinal Manning happened to come to Rome just at the time, and he brought his friend, Father Butler, with him. It was the end of December in the year 1877. I was myself in Rome, then a young layman, when he came; and together we went to the great Basilica of St. Peter, which was filled to overflowing, for a solemn Novena was going on for the dying Pontiff. It was his great ambition to assist at his death: and his wish was granted. He has often described to me the scene. There were praying round that death-bed dignitaries of the Church, bishops, archbishops, and cardinals. He obtained admission in order to act if necessary as messenger, and he joined in the prayers."
Robert moved into education in 1878, becoming rector of St. Charles College, Bayswater, succeeding Cardinal Manning who had recently died. Robert held this position until his death in 1902. At the time of his death he was also President of the Conference of Catholic Colleges of England.
Robert died of 'Heart failure, Pneumonia and Pleurisy (about 3 days) and Influenza (8 days)' at St. Charles College. He was brought back to St. Edmund's to be buried on the north side of the altar of St. Edmund's College Chapel.
Robert studied for either one year or two at Sedgley Park School in Wolverhampton until the age of about 14 when he began studies for the priesthood at St. Edmund's College in Ware, Hertfordshire, starting in 1850. He received the Tonsure (cutting or shaving of all or part of the hair as a ritual of induction into religious life) in 1854 and the Minor Orders the following year. He was ordained Sub-deacon in St. Edmund's College Chapel on 7 March 1857 and Deacon on 27 February 1858. He then joined the newly formed Congregation of Oblates of St. Charles, based in Bayswater, London, and in September 1858 he left for Rome where he was ordained in 1860. He then returned to Bayswater where he served for about 17 years in the parish of St. Mary and All Angels.
In 1877 Robert was present at the death of Pope Pius IX. From the sermon given by a Monsignor Ward at Robert's funeral we are told that "Cardinal Manning happened to come to Rome just at the time, and he brought his friend, Father Butler, with him. It was the end of December in the year 1877. I was myself in Rome, then a young layman, when he came; and together we went to the great Basilica of St. Peter, which was filled to overflowing, for a solemn Novena was going on for the dying Pontiff. It was his great ambition to assist at his death: and his wish was granted. He has often described to me the scene. There were praying round that death-bed dignitaries of the Church, bishops, archbishops, and cardinals. He obtained admission in order to act if necessary as messenger, and he joined in the prayers."
Robert moved into education in 1878, becoming rector of St. Charles College, Bayswater, succeeding Cardinal Manning who had recently died. Robert held this position until his death in 1902. At the time of his death he was also President of the Conference of Catholic Colleges of England.
Robert died of 'Heart failure, Pneumonia and Pleurisy (about 3 days) and Influenza (8 days)' at St. Charles College. He was brought back to St. Edmund's to be buried on the north side of the altar of St. Edmund's College Chapel.
Events
| Birth | 16 Jan 1836 | London | |||
| Christen | 7 Feb 1836 | St. Patrick's Church, Westminster, London | |||
| Death | 1 Nov 1902 | St. Charles College, Bayswater, London | |||
| Burial | 6 Nov 1902 | Lady Chapel, St. Edmund's College, Ware, Hertfordshire |
Families
| Father | George James BUTLER (1795 - 1870) |
| Mother | Margaret Lucy MEADE (1802 - 1868) |
| Sibling | Elizabeth (Eliza) Mary BUTLER (1828 - 1864) |
| Sibling | James Bernard John Edward BUTLER (1830 - 1892) |
| Sibling | Susan BUTLER (1831 - 1850) |
| Sibling | George Patrick BUTLER (1834 - 1911) |
| Sibling | William Isaac BUTLER (1838 - 1888) |
| Sibling | Margaret BUTLER (1840 - 1889) |
| Sibling | Thomas Aloysius BUTLER (1840 - 1885) |
| Sibling | Mary Ann BUTLER (1844 - 1902) |