D
djeter
Guest
Robert Hugh Benson
(1871-1914) Benson was educated at Eton College, and then studied Classics and Theology at Trinity College, Cambridge, from 1890 to 1893. In 1895, he was ordained a priest in the Church of England by his father, Edward White Benson, who was then Archbishop of Canterbury – literally, a prince of the Anglican Church.
His father died suddenly in 1896, and Benson was sent on a trip to the Middle East to recover his own health. While there, he began to question the status of the Church of England and to consider the claims of the Roman Catholic Church. His own piety began to tend toward the High Church variety, and he started exploring religious life in various Anglican communities, eventually obtaining permission to join the Community of the Resurrection.
Benson made his profession as a member of the community in 1901, at which time he had no thoughts of leaving the Church of England. But as he continued his studies and began writing, he became more and more uneasy with his own doctrinal position, and on 11 September 1903 he was received into the Roman Catholic Church – in its time, perhaps one of the most shocking conversions ever.
A bonafide intellectual and author of many books in his short life, perhaps Benson’s greatest work was titled “Catholicism” – an insightful look into the Church he embraced. I found it still very readable and have made some reading selections that give a wonderful overview of the Church.
It’s all here along with links to a photo tour of Benson’s home and the small chapel on the grounds there.
payingattentiontothesky.com/2009/12/17/book-recommendation-catholicism-by-monsignor-robert-hugh-benson/
Spend some time with this fine and decent man today!
In Christ,
dj
(1871-1914) Benson was educated at Eton College, and then studied Classics and Theology at Trinity College, Cambridge, from 1890 to 1893. In 1895, he was ordained a priest in the Church of England by his father, Edward White Benson, who was then Archbishop of Canterbury – literally, a prince of the Anglican Church.
His father died suddenly in 1896, and Benson was sent on a trip to the Middle East to recover his own health. While there, he began to question the status of the Church of England and to consider the claims of the Roman Catholic Church. His own piety began to tend toward the High Church variety, and he started exploring religious life in various Anglican communities, eventually obtaining permission to join the Community of the Resurrection.
Benson made his profession as a member of the community in 1901, at which time he had no thoughts of leaving the Church of England. But as he continued his studies and began writing, he became more and more uneasy with his own doctrinal position, and on 11 September 1903 he was received into the Roman Catholic Church – in its time, perhaps one of the most shocking conversions ever.
A bonafide intellectual and author of many books in his short life, perhaps Benson’s greatest work was titled “Catholicism” – an insightful look into the Church he embraced. I found it still very readable and have made some reading selections that give a wonderful overview of the Church.
It’s all here along with links to a photo tour of Benson’s home and the small chapel on the grounds there.
payingattentiontothesky.com/2009/12/17/book-recommendation-catholicism-by-monsignor-robert-hugh-benson/
Spend some time with this fine and decent man today!
In Christ,
dj