Society of St. John the Evangelist facts for kids
The Society of St. John the Evangelist is a special group of Anglican monks. They are also known as the Cowley Fathers. These monks make promises to live simply and not to marry. They spend their lives in prayer and helping others.
This group was started by Father Richard Meux Benson in 1866. It began in a place called Cowley, near Oxford in England. This is why they are often called the Cowley Fathers. The Society has grown over the years. It now has two main parts: one in England and another in the United States.
The American part of the Society started around 1874. Today, the monks live in monasteries in many countries. You can find them in places like Scotland, India, South Africa, Japan, and Canada.
What Monks Do in the Society
The monks of the Society of St. John the Evangelist follow a special guide called "The Rule of the Society of Saint John the Evangelist." This rule helps them live their lives. A big part of their day is spent in prayer. They also go on missions to help people and share their faith.
This Society is important because it was one of the first groups of monks to be founded after the Protestant Reformation. The Reformation was a big change in Christian history.
The Fellowship of Saint John
The Fellowship of Saint John is a group of people who want to be close to the monks. These people support the Society of St. John the Evangelist. They help by giving money and praying for the monks.
Members of the Fellowship also try to live by a rule similar to the monks' rule. There are about 1,000 men and women in this group. One well-known member was Frank Griswold.
