Born William Hanley on May 27, 1872 in Louisville, Kentucky, he was the son of James Hanley and Catherine Moran. As a young boy his family moved to Cincinnati, Ohio. He attended All Saints parochial school and St. Xavier School. He got to know the Passionists at Mt. Adams in Cincinnati. His younger brother was Father Aurelius Hanley. William entered the Passionist novitiate and was professed on October 18, 1888. His religious name was Benedict. He was ordained on September 19, 1896. In 1906 the new Holy Cross Province was established. There existed, in the beginning, five retreats, Cincinnati; Louisville, Kentucky; Normandy, Missouri; and St. Paul, Kansas as well as Chicago, Illinois. The new province consisted of about thirty-five priests. For a short time he was in parish work at St. Anne’s Parish, Scranton, Pennsylvania. He was also vicar at Des Moines, Iowa. At the second provincial chapter he was elected rector of Normandy but declined so as to continue to be a preacher. Three times he was elected second consultor, twice outside the provincial chapter.
Birth Date:
May 27, 1872
Profession Date:
October 18, 1888
Ordination Date:
September 19, 1896
Death Date:
March 30, 1952