Jock Brocas On Spiritual Life: Medium Anthony Borgia & ‘Spirit Priest’ Monsignor Robert Hugh Benson

I have long been a fan of medium and author Anthony Borgia and have original copies of some of his books which I treasure. For me, they are up there with Testimony of Light written by Helen Greaves which has been in continuous print since 1969. This underrated book is deserving of much wider readership, as are Borgia’s, whose writings are such an honest pleasure to read. While some of the language may now be dated, the wealth and breadth of what he covered is magnificent.

‘Knowledge is the best antidote for fear, especially if that fear could be of the possible or probable state of existence after we made the change from this life to the next.’ Anthony Borgia, Life in the World Unseen

Anthony Borgia (1896-1989) was a medium who transcribed the thoughts of a deceased Catholic priest and author Monsignor Robert Hugh Benson (1871-1914) whom he had known in life. Benson was the son of a former Archbishop of Canterbury, Edward White Benson.

Photograph by G. Jerrard, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Benson was originally a priest in the Anglican tradition, but later changed allegiances and re-qualified as a Catholic priest. Borgia was a close friend of Benson’s for five years prior to his passing into the spirit world. Benson was appointed a supernumerary private chamberlain (now Chaplain of His Holiness) to the Pope in 1911 and consequently styled as Monsignor. He was a prolific author, both of fiction as well as religious tomes and died very young at age 42.

From the Spirit World, the Monsignor dictated a wealth of transcripts to his friend Anthony Borgia, and many of them were converted into books. He has a great deal to say, which he hopes will correct the teachings contained in his previous influential Christian books that were written when he was living on earth.

Borgia’s books containing transcripts of Monsignor Robert Hugh Benson include Beyond this Life (1942) and The World Unseen (1944). They became the first and second part of the 1954 publication Life in the World Unseen. The sequel, More About Life In The World Unseen was published by Odhams Press/Citadel Press in 1958.

ABC of Life (1945) was later republished under the title Here and Hereafter, and the preface includes a reference to forming a trilogy with the two previous books. Facts (1946) and More Light (1947) are heavily laden with religious commentary and neither are particularly popular compared to the others, perhaps indicating it was wiser to stick to non-religious topics.

Heaven and Earth was published in 1948. Here is a timely excerpt:

Free copies of all of the aforementioned Anthony Borgia books can be downloaded on A Spiritual Journey - New Birth website.

Anthony Borgia had a strong gift of clairaudience. It was through this particular aspect of his mediumship that he was able to assist Monsignor Robert Hugh Benson in realizing his dearest wish - that of putting into print the knowledge and facts of life after death, and helping to banish the fear of death which affects so many people.

The books for which Anthony acted as Monsignor’s transcriber are rightly regarded as among the ‘classics’ of Spiritualist literature. It was always a source of great happiness to him that he had helped, in this way, to spread the great truths of Spiritualist teachings.

Anthony Borgia: Life in the World Unseen

The foreword of Life in the World Unseen (1954) was written by Sir John Anderson. His closing words are as relevant today as they were in 1954:

’Civilization is at the parting of the ways, and it is to be hoped that more informative literature, such as this, will be forthcoming, to enable the Spiritual regeneration of the world to proceed, so that Peace and Harmony may reign supreme!’

Excerpts from Life in the World Unseen - Introduction by Anthony Borgia, regarding the passing of his friend Monsignor Benson:

After he had passed from this life, I many times wondered as to his welfare. Through a spirit friend I was told that he was well and prospering, and that in time I should hear from him directly. Such eventually proved to be the case, and there commenced a series of scripts given by him, the first of which, Life in the World Unseen, gave an account in some detail of his actual passing.

He recounted how, at the close of his earthly life, he was met by a former colleague named Edwin, and taken by him to the spirit world, where his home awaited him, a counterpart of his house on earth. After a brief rest he commenced his explorations, under Edwin’s guidance, of the land of his new life. During the course of their rambles they met a young girl of great charm, named Ruth, also a newcomer to the spirit world, who joined them, and the three have been together ever since, closely associated in work and pleasure.

Anthony passed in 1989 at the age of 93, a man of profound intelligence allied to an enquiring mind. His interests were many and varied, although those which remained the strongest and lasted all his life were the study of music and of psychic science, in both of which he could be considered something of an expert.

A man of great kindness, warmth and generosity, he was a splendid example of true Spiritualism, never exhibiting this better than during the many years of near blindness in his old age when the grace, courage and humour with which he bore this affliction drew the admiration of all who knew him. His books remain as a testimony to Monsignor’s great desire to share his knowledge of the life to come, and to Borgia’s own homage to truths which sustained him throughout his long life.

Below are some insightful passages from Life in the World Unseen (mind the spelling errors):

Excerpt about Monsignor Benson’s transition into the spirit world:

Excerpt about communication with loved ones on earth and when they are likely to join you in the spirit world:

Monsignor speaks of an immense building which exercises the function of an office of records and inquiries where one can inquire about newly arrived souls and when a friend or family member is due to arrive: