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Confessions of a Convert
Written by an author that Pope Francis recommended everybody should read, Confessions of a Convert is the classic spiritual autobiography of one man’s unique journey to find Catholicism.
As the youngest son of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Robert Hugh Benson grew up as an Anglican, but through the course of his life he was drawn towards the Catholic faith.
This remarkable story is explained in beautiful detail, from his intense personal struggles to his overwhelming desire to find the truth.
Benson pays homage to those who influenced his spiritual journey, not just those of the Roman Catholic church but also those of his childhood and development in the fold of the Anglican world.
“There is little that Mgr. Benson has written that is not worth reading and rereading ... His imagination is essentially he sees things; and his sight is so minute and accurate that his readers cannot fail to see what he sees.” The Ecclesiastical Review
“Monsignor Benson’s account of the processes of his conversion from the Anglicanism in which he was bred to ‘the Roman obedience’ must be ranked among the more notable examples of its type of literature.” Princeton Theological Review
Robert Hugh Benson was an English Anglican priest who converted to Roman Catholicism in 1903 and was ordained as a priest the year later. He was a prolific author, most famous for his dystopian novel Lord of the World . He progressed through the Catholic church to become Chamberlain to the Pope in 1911 and received the title Monsignor. Confessions of a Convert was published in 1913, he passed away in 1914.
As the youngest son of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Robert Hugh Benson grew up as an Anglican, but through the course of his life he was drawn towards the Catholic faith.
This remarkable story is explained in beautiful detail, from his intense personal struggles to his overwhelming desire to find the truth.
Benson pays homage to those who influenced his spiritual journey, not just those of the Roman Catholic church but also those of his childhood and development in the fold of the Anglican world.
“There is little that Mgr. Benson has written that is not worth reading and rereading ... His imagination is essentially he sees things; and his sight is so minute and accurate that his readers cannot fail to see what he sees.” The Ecclesiastical Review
“Monsignor Benson’s account of the processes of his conversion from the Anglicanism in which he was bred to ‘the Roman obedience’ must be ranked among the more notable examples of its type of literature.” Princeton Theological Review
Robert Hugh Benson was an English Anglican priest who converted to Roman Catholicism in 1903 and was ordained as a priest the year later. He was a prolific author, most famous for his dystopian novel Lord of the World . He progressed through the Catholic church to become Chamberlain to the Pope in 1911 and received the title Monsignor. Confessions of a Convert was published in 1913, he passed away in 1914.
120 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1907
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285 people want to read
About the author
Robert Hugh Benson
322 books186 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 - 22 of 22 reviews
September 19, 2018
A spiritual autobiography which also gives good descriptions of the English Catholic and Anglican churches in the early 20th century. It is personal, insightful and extremely well-written. He also gives his thoughts on some of his works of fiction, which as a fan I especially appreciated.
October 28, 2018
This is a classic spiritual memoir. Benson, an Anglican priest and the son of an Anglican priest, became attracted to Catholic sacramental theology, devotional practices and historical continuity with the apostolic era. He joined several other high profile late 19th century men who left the Anglican Church for the Catholic Church in search of greater ritual, tradition and doctrinal certitude.
October 29, 2018
Seek the truth, and God will find you
I have read one other work by Father Benson, Lord of the World, an amazing prophetic, apocalyptic novel, marred only by his somewhat archaic style. This work speaks more plainly, perhaps because it is autobiographical, perhaps because Benson is speaking from his heart, without projecting a future persons that probably did not come so easily. Benson's honesty and clarity in describing his spiritual and intellectual journey from Anglican cleric to Roman Catholic priest is, for me, the most appealing aspect of this work. He does not spare his dignity in recounting the various reactions of family and colleagues, the criticism, slander, accusations, pity, sadness, and praise he met with even before making his final choice.
These responses in their turn only prompted a greater resolve to explore further all aspects of Catholicism, attempting to understand its Catholicity, that is, its universal and timeless truth that stands firm against the sin and shame and flawed reasoning of human nature, universal truth of Jesus Christ and the Gospels, and the necessity of accepting God's grace.
It is only through that grace, and with it the power of the Holy Spirit, that the weak human intellect can grasp God's word and believe it, especially those parts that non-Christians find difficult or impossible to accept. For example, the rich young man in the Gospel who wanted spiritual perfection but walked away from Jesus unable to let go of his many possessions, or King Henry VIII who could not accept the Pope's refusal to annul his marriage to Catherine of Aragon, or the random dogmas that sometimes prevent our total surrender to God's will. All these obstacles to faith must be overcome with grace, and man must be a willing collaborator to confirm his wholehearted trust in God. What Benson writes between the lines is the process of divine grace at work in a sincere soul who seeks truth. As one of my own religious mentors said once, "if you are honestly seeking the truth, God will find you."
I have read one other work by Father Benson, Lord of the World, an amazing prophetic, apocalyptic novel, marred only by his somewhat archaic style. This work speaks more plainly, perhaps because it is autobiographical, perhaps because Benson is speaking from his heart, without projecting a future persons that probably did not come so easily. Benson's honesty and clarity in describing his spiritual and intellectual journey from Anglican cleric to Roman Catholic priest is, for me, the most appealing aspect of this work. He does not spare his dignity in recounting the various reactions of family and colleagues, the criticism, slander, accusations, pity, sadness, and praise he met with even before making his final choice.
These responses in their turn only prompted a greater resolve to explore further all aspects of Catholicism, attempting to understand its Catholicity, that is, its universal and timeless truth that stands firm against the sin and shame and flawed reasoning of human nature, universal truth of Jesus Christ and the Gospels, and the necessity of accepting God's grace.
It is only through that grace, and with it the power of the Holy Spirit, that the weak human intellect can grasp God's word and believe it, especially those parts that non-Christians find difficult or impossible to accept. For example, the rich young man in the Gospel who wanted spiritual perfection but walked away from Jesus unable to let go of his many possessions, or King Henry VIII who could not accept the Pope's refusal to annul his marriage to Catherine of Aragon, or the random dogmas that sometimes prevent our total surrender to God's will. All these obstacles to faith must be overcome with grace, and man must be a willing collaborator to confirm his wholehearted trust in God. What Benson writes between the lines is the process of divine grace at work in a sincere soul who seeks truth. As one of my own religious mentors said once, "if you are honestly seeking the truth, God will find you."
April 24, 2013
This book was truly a pleasure to read. It reads more biographical than apologetical, but in that sense it feels very much as if reading the life of a saint. Benson's prose is marvelous; and the book is so engaging that only work could force me to put it down. The man's spiritual journey, his perseverance, his prayer make for delightful reading and a witness of a life worth imitating.
October 4, 2020
A very personal account of the conversion of the son of the Archbishop of Canterbury to Catholicism.
I appreciated but did not fully understand Benson's tortuous journey from Anglicanism to Catholicism. The understanding might come if I study a little more what the Anglican believes. Something I DO understand: being the son of a high Anglican figure, the conversion must have been painful.
Benson is a good writer and has written other books. I plan to read Lord of the World
some day.
4 stars
I appreciated but did not fully understand Benson's tortuous journey from Anglicanism to Catholicism. The understanding might come if I study a little more what the Anglican believes. Something I DO understand: being the son of a high Anglican figure, the conversion must have been painful.
Benson is a good writer and has written other books. I plan to read Lord of the World
some day.
4 stars
December 12, 2018
All conversion stories are personal. They reveal the inner life of a person, following through twists and turns and unexpected experiences, on the path to Catholicism. Conversion is not a path you choose but a position you find yourself in. Robert Hugh Benson's story from High Church Anglicanism to Catholicism is such a story. What stood out for me was his heart-wrenching loneliness as he got closer and closer to the final step. Many people around him were well-meaning to help him understand his struggles. But their explanations and solutions focused on externals. Their goal was to keep him within the Anglican fold. And who could blame them? Ultimately they had no understanding where his heart was.
His predecessor of long ago, St. Augustine of Hippo, famously wrote, "Our heart is restless until it rests in You." Benson had no choice but to follow his restless heart. "Tolle lege," "pick up and read" the boy's voice told St. Augustine in that final scene in the garden. Benson too "picked up and read" whatever he thought would help him make sense, and make peace with, where his heart was leading him.
Robert Hugh Benson struck me as a truly gentle soul. A man with deep yearnings, insights, and a keen sense to follow truth. I would have liked to meet him.
His predecessor of long ago, St. Augustine of Hippo, famously wrote, "Our heart is restless until it rests in You." Benson had no choice but to follow his restless heart. "Tolle lege," "pick up and read" the boy's voice told St. Augustine in that final scene in the garden. Benson too "picked up and read" whatever he thought would help him make sense, and make peace with, where his heart was leading him.
Robert Hugh Benson struck me as a truly gentle soul. A man with deep yearnings, insights, and a keen sense to follow truth. I would have liked to meet him.
October 30, 2018
Review to follow.
January 20, 2018
I’m a convert. And I felt that anguish and questioning as I moved toward the Catholic Church. And now that I’m here in the Church Jesus founded, I see her just as Fr. Benson saw her but his words are a thousand times more descriptive and eloquent than mine. If you’re a convert, read this book! If you’re a cradle Catholic, read this book so you’ll appreciate what you have. If you’re being called to the Catholic Church, read this book and find a friend who’s blazed the path before you. If you are an Anglican, especially, you will appreciate what you have, but you will know that you could have more. Way, way more.
October 4, 2012
Super great book on the inner life of a great conversion into the Church. This book was like reading myself in a different time and place. Easy conversational style reading.
August 16, 2022
Mais um bom livro de um ex-"sacerdote" anglicano que se tornou padre católico. Aqui conta-se suas confissões que foram anteriormente escritas em artigos de jornais.
O pai do autor foi um anglicano Arcebispo da Cantuária, e o autor seguiu seus passos e virou também um sacerdote anglicano. Aos poucos começou a ser abalada sua fé anglicana e ele começou a pensar que a Igreja Católica Romana podia estar certo e os anglicanos errados. Quando foi para a Europa e Terra Santa, começou a notar a insignificância da igreja Anglicana, que não tinha nenhum espaço, e ele tinha que explicar para as pessoas o que era a igreja Anglicana.
Ao longo do tempo, foi conversando com pessoas de alto calibre da igreja Anglicana, para tentar tirar suas dúvidas, e no geral viu que suas dúvidas não eram respondidas. Como disse um reverendo anglicano para ele, que os dogmas deveriam ser aceitos conforme sua própria razão ou modo de ser.
Resolveu de vez virar católico e em pouco tempo foi ordenado finalmente um padre católico. Um bom livro, em estilo fácil de ler, provavelmente vou buscar ler no futuro outros livros do padre.
Tempo estimado de leitura: 3h
O pai do autor foi um anglicano Arcebispo da Cantuária, e o autor seguiu seus passos e virou também um sacerdote anglicano. Aos poucos começou a ser abalada sua fé anglicana e ele começou a pensar que a Igreja Católica Romana podia estar certo e os anglicanos errados. Quando foi para a Europa e Terra Santa, começou a notar a insignificância da igreja Anglicana, que não tinha nenhum espaço, e ele tinha que explicar para as pessoas o que era a igreja Anglicana.
Ao longo do tempo, foi conversando com pessoas de alto calibre da igreja Anglicana, para tentar tirar suas dúvidas, e no geral viu que suas dúvidas não eram respondidas. Como disse um reverendo anglicano para ele, que os dogmas deveriam ser aceitos conforme sua própria razão ou modo de ser.
Resolveu de vez virar católico e em pouco tempo foi ordenado finalmente um padre católico. Um bom livro, em estilo fácil de ler, provavelmente vou buscar ler no futuro outros livros do padre.
Tempo estimado de leitura: 3h
October 18, 2023
La obra trata la conversión de un clérigo anglicano al catolicismo.
Aunque está bien escrito, no me ha impactado como catolica. Es demasiado dogmático para mi gusto.
Quizás sea más sensible al testimonio un anglicano, por el hecho de que da muchos datos sobre distintos pensamientos y corrientes de Inglaterra. Son datos que no conocía y me parecen demasiado artificiosos.
Se salvan algunos párrafos más espirituales, más emotivos.
Es muy sincero y se muestra muy agradecido, tanto a sus nuevos "compañeros de viaje" en el camino de la Verdad como a antiguos amigos y maestros que le mostraron comprensión en su decisión.
Aunque está bien escrito, no me ha impactado como catolica. Es demasiado dogmático para mi gusto.
Quizás sea más sensible al testimonio un anglicano, por el hecho de que da muchos datos sobre distintos pensamientos y corrientes de Inglaterra. Son datos que no conocía y me parecen demasiado artificiosos.
Se salvan algunos párrafos más espirituales, más emotivos.
Es muy sincero y se muestra muy agradecido, tanto a sus nuevos "compañeros de viaje" en el camino de la Verdad como a antiguos amigos y maestros que le mostraron comprensión en su decisión.
May 22, 2020
Las confesiones de un converso siempre abren la ventana para contemplar su alma. No sólo es compartir el camino del que busca la verdad y una vez la encuentra tiene que conducirse por cañadas oscuras para lograr acercarse y dejarse iluminar por ella. Es además un motivo de inspiración para la propia conversión de cada día. Entendiendo conversión como la búsqueda de la verdad y una vez se encuentra se adhiere a ella con todas sus consecuencias.
August 30, 2018
This book would be of greatest interests to Anglicans who have converted to Catholicism, as Benson did -- or those considering it.
Benson has a beautiful authorial voice. He explains well how although he loved the Anglican Church -- his father was its head, the Archbishop of Canterbury -- the authority of the Catholic Church compelled him to convert after a struggle lasting several years.
Benson has a beautiful authorial voice. He explains well how although he loved the Anglican Church -- his father was its head, the Archbishop of Canterbury -- the authority of the Catholic Church compelled him to convert after a struggle lasting several years.
May 29, 2021
Excellent. Makes a compelling case for the Church as the organ of moral authority and revelation. Acknowledges the difficulties that Anglicans or other protestants may have with various practices and even doctrines but concludes that we must come with humility to learn from His church how to love God.
March 16, 2024
Benson’s confessions were encouraging to read. The courage he had to convert, based on his conscience, from Anglicanism to Catholicism as the son of the Archbishop of Canterbury is wild. I also appreciated his honesty in the agony that he felt about his conversion. I’m Romishly inclined and it was nice to see someone else describe the internal struggles that I feel when considering church.
Read
May 30, 2025Very dry, so much like Newman in his largely intellectual conversion. Amazing to me that someone could leave the familiar faith for one they’d been taught to demonize, but his observation that Anglican focus on emotion etc makes sense. For a firm foundation in history and global efficacy, Catholicism is the way to go. 😇
May 16, 2017
Wonderful book!
The story of R. H. Benson's conversion from Anglican to Catholic and a wonderful, inspiration all trip it is! If you need your Catholicism refreshed this will do it!
The story of R. H. Benson's conversion from Anglican to Catholic and a wonderful, inspiration all trip it is! If you need your Catholicism refreshed this will do it!
Want to read
July 7, 2019El autor describe su gradual descubrimiento del catolicismo, y las dificultades, que afrontó con honradez: prejuicios intelectuales, apegamientos sentimentales, contradicciones externas... Es una clara y viva apología de la fe de la Iglesia Católica.
July 26, 2023
Masterful insight into the mind of a convert - and what a convert was he!
Sad that many of the critiques (not all, of course) which he levies against the Anglicans are now easily applied to Catholics.
Sad that many of the critiques (not all, of course) which he levies against the Anglicans are now easily applied to Catholics.
December 18, 2025
He leído otras biografías sobre conversiones al catolicismo pero ninguna tan útil ni elocuente como esta. Si te lo estás planteando te recomiendo esta joya de Benson.
May 20, 2015
As a convert myself, I always find this topic interesting. Since his father was the Archbishop of Cantebury, Benson's conversion to the Church caused quite a stir. He did not have an easy journey. Obviously, there was no "Coming Home Network" in those days for Protestant clergymen to cross the Tiber. This is the third of his books that I've read. I am glad that he was a prolific writer because there are many more books waiting to be read!
December 5, 2019
77/100 (= 4.2/6) ≈ 4 Stars
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews