She was a member of the Anglican religious order, the Community of the Sisters of the Love of God and reader in early Christian spirituality at Harris Manchester College, University of Oxford.
[3][1] She was particularly known for her research on the Desert Fathers, popularising the collection of their writings known as the Apophthegmata Patrum.
At the age of 22 she entered the Community of the Sisters of the Love of God, an enclosed community of Anglican contemplative nuns at Fairacres in East Oxford, as Sister Benedicta of Jesus.
[3] Ward wrote a number of books and articles, including translations of premodern texts.
She was also a regular public speaker, including on the BBC series A History of the World in 100 Objects.