Richard Meux Benson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Richard Meux Benson SSJE
The Rev. Richard Meux Benson
Born	6 July 1824 London, England
Died	14 January 1915 Cowley, Oxford, England
Venerated in	Anglican Church of Canada, Episcopal Church (United States)
Feast	15 January, 14 January

Richard Meux Benson (born July 6, 1824 – died January 14, 1915) was an important priest in the Church of England. He started the Society of St. John the Evangelist. This was the first group of monks in the Anglican Communion since the Reformation. He is remembered as a saint in the Anglican Church of Canada on January 15. The Episcopal Church remembers him on January 14.

Richard Benson's Early Life

Richard Benson was born in London, England, in 1824. His family was very wealthy. His father, Thomas Starling Benson, was a merchant. Richard was taught at home by a special teacher.

Later, he went to Christ Church, Oxford, a famous university. After finishing his studies, he became a priest. In 1850, he became the vicar, or lead priest, of Cowley, Oxford. He was known for being a "High Church" Anglican. This means he liked more traditional church practices.

In 1858, Benson led a special spiritual retreat for other priests. He used ideas from the "Spiritual Exercises" of Ignatius of Loyola. In 1859, he built a new church in Cowley. It was named after St. John the Evangelist. Benson then planned to go to India as a missionary. However, his bishop asked him to stay, so he did not go.

Starting the Society of St. John the Evangelist

In 1865, Richard Benson started something new. Two other priests joined him in Cowley. They decided to live together as a community. They called themselves the Mission Priests of St. John the Evangelist. Benson became their leader.

At this time, there were only groups of Anglican women living together like nuns in England. Benson's group was the first for Anglican men.

How the Monks Lived

The monks in Benson's group had a special way of life. They did not just pray all the time. They also worked to help people outside their community. But they still prayed together every day. They called this the "Divine Office."

Benson also thought it was important for them to spend time thinking deeply. He wanted the brothers to meditate for an hour each day. The community also went on a long retreat in the summer. This was a time for quiet prayer and reflection. Benson also set aside other days for silence and prayer.

Rules for the Community

As the founder, Benson focused on important rules for the monks. He said they should make lifelong promises to God. They should also confess their sins regularly. Daily prayer, meditation, and serving as priests were also key parts of their life.

Benson believed that his bishop had authority over the priests in the community. This was because they were priests of the local church area. But he felt the bishop did not control their private life together. From 1868 to 1870, Benson also ran a special hall for university students. It was called Benson's Hall.

Growing the Society

From 1870 to 1883, Benson's society grew a lot. They started new communities in the United States, India, and South Africa. Benson himself traveled to America to help with the mission there. In 1884, the society officially adopted a set of rules. Benson had written these rules himself.

During these early years, Benson was still a parish priest. But in 1886, he stopped being a parish priest. He wanted to spend all his time leading the society and its missions.

In 1890, Benson decided to step down as the leader. Another person was chosen to take his place. He then spent one year in India. After that, he lived for eight years at the society's house in Boston, America. In 1895, he gave talks at several churches in Baltimore. One of these was Mount Calvary Church. This church was known for its traditional practices.

Benson's Later Years

Richard Benson spent the last sixteen years of his life back at home. He continued to lead church services as long as he could stand. In his very last years, he was taken in a wheelchair to receive communion every morning. He passed away on January 14, 1915.

Benson's writings were very important. They even influenced a famous writer named C. S. Lewis. This happened through Lewis's spiritual guide, Father Walter Adams. Father Adams was a member of Benson's Society of St. John the Evangelist.