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Lourdes
Robert Hugh Benson (1871-1914) was the youngest son of Edward White Benson, Archbishop of Canterbury, and younger brother of Edward Frederic Benson. In 1895, he was ordained a priest in the Church of England by his father who was then Archbishop of Canterbury. His father died suddenly in 1896, and Benson began to question the status of the Church of England, eventually obtaining permission to join the Community of the Resurrection. He 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. On September 11, 1903, he was received into the Roman Catholic Church. He was ordained a Catholic priest in 1904 and was sent to Cambridge. He continued his writing career along with the usual elements of priestly ministry. He was named a Monsignor in 1911.
64 pages, Paperback
Published July 27, 2007
About the author
Robert Hugh Benson
182 books196 followersMrsgr. Robert Hugh Benson AFSC KC*SG KGCHS was an English Catholic priest and writer. First an Anglican pastor, he was received into the Catholic Church in 1903 and ordained therein the next year. He was also a prolific writer of fiction, writing the notable dystopian novel Lord of the World, as well as Come Rack! Come Rope!.
His output encompassed historical, horror and science fiction, contemporary fiction, children's stories, plays, apologetics, devotional works and articles. He continued his writing career at the same time as he progressed through the hierarchy to become a Chamberlain to Pope Pius X in 1911, and gain the title of Monsignor before his death a few years later.
His output encompassed historical, horror and science fiction, contemporary fiction, children's stories, plays, apologetics, devotional works and articles. He continued his writing career at the same time as he progressed through the hierarchy to become a Chamberlain to Pope Pius X in 1911, and gain the title of Monsignor before his death a few years later.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 18, 2009
This book (1914 edition) is freely available on Project Gutenberg through the efforts of the fine folks at Distributed Proofreaders. It's a neat little book about Benson's pilgrimage to Lourdes, with neat black and white photographs of Lourdes or relating to Lourdes. I learned something about this pilgrimage site, which I was curious about previously. For those who don't know, Lourdes is the place where Virgin Mary appeared to a little peasant girl (St. Bernadette). I don't think I can give the story justice, so I won't go on...
December 29, 2013
An eye-witness account that intrigues
Monsignor Robert Hugh Benson's reflections on his 3-day trip to Lourdes give the reader an insider's view, inasmuch as you are treated to both the spiritual and scientific understanding of what takes place at Lourdes. This is a quick and easy read, and well worth the effort.
Monsignor Robert Hugh Benson's reflections on his 3-day trip to Lourdes give the reader an insider's view, inasmuch as you are treated to both the spiritual and scientific understanding of what takes place at Lourdes. This is a quick and easy read, and well worth the effort.
May 13, 2013
This book is a delightful account of Fr. Benson's visit to Lourdes. The piety described is edifying, the miracles are reaffirming of the Catholic faith, and the writing is yet another example of Benson's wonderful prose.
June 14, 2016
A must read!
Not only does the author wonderfully describe Lourdes but also gives explains the proper attitude a christian must have with regards to miracles!
Not only does the author wonderfully describe Lourdes but also gives explains the proper attitude a christian must have with regards to miracles!
August 20, 2024
Lovely short book about Benson's visit to Lourdes, France, where he witnessed miraculous healings as well as sat in on the doctors' meetings where they would evaluate whether claimed miraculous healings had actually occurred. Benson had not really considered that Jesus still performs miraculous healings until his visit to Lourdes.
In one of my favorite passages, he compares Lourdes, where the Virgin Mary appeared multiple times in 1858, to the wedding where Jesus performed his first miracle: again at Mary's behest, Jesus undertakes miracles using water (Benson himself entered a healing bath and notes that the water, having been occupied by countless sick people, was none too clean!).
Lourdes was crowded, loud, not particularly attractive, all things that Benson dislikes, but he was filled with peace during the 3 days he was there, and found it hard to leave.
It is a moving experience beautifully told in this small gem of a book.
In one of my favorite passages, he compares Lourdes, where the Virgin Mary appeared multiple times in 1858, to the wedding where Jesus performed his first miracle: again at Mary's behest, Jesus undertakes miracles using water (Benson himself entered a healing bath and notes that the water, having been occupied by countless sick people, was none too clean!).
Lourdes was crowded, loud, not particularly attractive, all things that Benson dislikes, but he was filled with peace during the 3 days he was there, and found it hard to leave.
It is a moving experience beautifully told in this small gem of a book.
December 7, 2018
A wonderful read
This book was written over a hundred years ago and yet is as relevant today, as those who have been to Lourdes know very well. In fact even more so in an age of utter disbelief - to experience the power of the Spirit there is amazing.
This book was written over a hundred years ago and yet is as relevant today, as those who have been to Lourdes know very well. In fact even more so in an age of utter disbelief - to experience the power of the Spirit there is amazing.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews