Francis Xavier Lasance
Francis Xavier Lasance [F. X. Lasance] (January 24, 1860 – December 11, 1946) was an American priest and writer of Roman Catholic devotional works.
Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, he was the son of Augustine and Philamena (Detert) Lasance. He was educated at St. Mary's School and St. Xavier College (Cincinnati) and St. Meinrad Archabbey (Indiana), and was ordained by the Most Reverend William Henry Elder, Archbishop of Cincinnati, on May 24, 1883.
During the next seven years, Lasance served as curate in various parishes in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati including churches in Kenton, Reading, Dayton, Lebanon, and Monroe, Ohio. He also served as chaplain at Our Lady's Summit, in East Walnut Hills, in Cincinnati. Ill health forced him to relinquish parish work in 1890; from then on, he lived a "retired, semi-invalid existence" at St. Francis Hospital, Cincinnati, writing various books on spiritual subjects and serving as spiritual director of the Tabernacle Society. He wrote thirty-nine volumes, including Thoughts on the Religious Life (1907), My Prayer Book (1913), Reflections for Religious (1920), Our Lady Book (1924), The New Roman Missal (1937, with the Reverend Father Augustine Walsh, OSB), Patience: Thoughts on the Patient Endurance of Sorrows and Suffering (1937); "Kindness, The Bloom of Charity, Thoughts on Fraternal Charity"(1938); Catholic Girl's Guide; Manna of the Soul; Visits to Jesus in the Tabernacle, Hours and Half-hours of Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament"(1897), Road to Happiness; With Saints and Sages; Young Man's Guide; Let Us Pray; Come Holy Spirit: Prayer Book for Religious(1904); Lift Up Your Hearts; Blessed Sacrament Book; My God and My All; Holy Souls Book; Sacred Heart Book; Little Manual of St. Anthony; Rejoice in the Lord; Prisoner of Love; With God(1911); Sweet Sacrament, We Thee Adore; Emmanuel; Holiness and Happiness; Novenas and Devotions in Honor of the Holy Ghost; Self-Conquest; Remember. He also compiled and edited the Blessed Sacrament Book (1913).
His works were translated into numerous languages. In total, his texts were published in the millions. He refused all compensation for his work and asked that any profits be donated to charity or toward providing his works free of charge to those unable to purchase them. For his devotional works, he was given a special blessing by Pope Pius XI on May 10, 1927. Lasance died at the age of eighty-six, in his native city.
References
- New Catholic Encyclopedia, The Catholic University of America, 1967.
- The American Catholic Who's Who (Volume 7, 1946 – 1947), page 244.
- "Papal Honors Go to Modest Priest," Cincinnati Enquirer, June 30, 1927.