All Shall Be Well: Poems for Julian of Norwich (Amethyst Press) is an anthology of poem all with Julian in mind.
'Some poems make connections between Julian’s experiences and our own, whether these be the collective trauma of a pandemic, or our individual struggles with human frailty. But there are also poems that seek and celebrate the fullness of joy to be found in a life of faith, and the mysterious, enduring reassurance given, through Julian, from Christ himself.' - Sarah Law, Amethyst Press
Sarah has just been awarded the bronze medal for her recent poems, This Transfigured Chapel of the Threads in the Illumination Book Awards.
The anthology is available from the Friends of Julian online shop.
Sponsored by Sarah Law, Amethyst Press.
Emma led our Autumn Retreat a couple of years ago and received a very warm response from those who attended.
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The book is available from the Friends of Julian if you wish, by clicking HERE.
Each session will be led on Zoom by one of the people associated with Julian in and around Norwich - or by the author herself for the final session.
Your ONE link for all six sessions can be found by registering HERE.
16 February: Margaret Mary McFadyen (with introductory video from the author)
23 February: The Revd Lorna Allies
1 March: The Revd Richard Stanton, Priest Director of the Julian Shrine
8 March: The Very Revd Andrew Braddock, Dean of Norwich Cathedral
15 March: Lesley Mitchell
22 March: The Revd Canon Emma Pennington
Links to recordings of each session will be sent out to all ticket-holders by the end of each weekend.
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By looking at modern interpretations of her pictures we hope that visitors will enjoy this exploration of her conclusion that ‘Love is the Meaning.’
This exhibition leads you on a short walk between three Norwich churches, the places most connected with Julian when she lived in Norwich 650 years ago. Inside the venues you will find artworks that truly challenge you to look again at Julian’s words.
Watch Tim's short introduction HERE.
Despite the picture we sometimes get of the 14th-century spiritual guide as a relentless optimist, Julian lived in times of traumatic challenge: plague, war, famine, churchly discord. Her buoyant faith had deeper roots than merely a sunny disposition. For decades she instead meditated on the bracing glimpses God had given her, delving into the suffering of Christ and her communion with an infinite God who comes in intimate, daily ways.
Timothy Jones, pastor, widely published author, and Visiting Scholar at Princeton Seminary, has for years lived with Julian’s Revelations, researched her times, and written about his debt to her in his own struggles and discoveries. In his presentation, Tim will explore how her reflections on the Trinity and the wider world can support us in our own longings to enjoy and meet God in more profound ways.
After his half-hour presentation, there will be opportunity for questions and dialogue.
Check out Tim's blog here.
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This year's celebrations for the 650th anniversary of the Shewings received by Julian of Norwich in 1373 will end with a BBC broadcast from Norwich on New Year's Eve.
On Tuesday 19 December at 7pm, a special service will be recorded at Norwich Cathedral, to be broadcast on Sunday 31 December on BBC Radio 4's Sunday Worship.
The Girl Choristers, Lay Clerks and Choral Scholars of Norwich Cathedral Choir will lead a reflection on the life of Mother Julian of Norwich, marking the end of this 650th anniversary year.
All are welcome and no ticket is required.
All those attending must be seated by 6.45pm, at which time the Cathedral will close.
The service will be broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on Sunday 31 December at 08:10 GMT, and available to hear afterwards on BBC Sounds.
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Author Mary Sharratt will discuss how her research into womens’ hidden histories inspired her to showcase Julian of Norwich and Margery Kempe in her acclaimed novel Revelations.
Julian of Norwich and her contemporary Margery Kempe were mystics and literary pioneers who were nearly erased from history. Their iconic books, Julian’s Revelations of Divine Love, the first book in English written by a woman, and Margery’s The Book of Margery Kempe, the first autobiography in the English language, languished in obscurity for centuries and only resurfaced in the twentieth century.
With Julian’s blessing, Margery walked away from a soul-destroying marriage and became a globe-trotting pilgrim-preacher and rabble rouser. Though these two women might seem like polar opposites—Julian, the enclosed anchoress, and free-roving Margery experiencing her visions in the full stream of worldly life—they complement each other. Together their lives and work form a Via Feminina, a distinctly female path to the divine.
Mary writes of her forthcoming lecture: "I am deeply honoured to be part of this series to celebrate the 650th anniversary of Julian’s shewings, the searing visions that inspired her to write her iconic book 'Revelations of Divine Love'. This lecture series is an unmissable lineup of distinguished historians, translators, and Julian experts”.
To find out more about this online lecture and book a ticket, please click here
]]>‘I saw him and I sought him’- Julian of Norwich & The Holy Icons
by John-Michael Mountney with an Afterword by Sheila Upjohn.
Drinks Reception and Book Launch on Friday 18th August at 5.30pm
The Julian Centre, Norwich NR1 1QT, following 5pm Low Mass at St Julian’s Church.
If you wish to attend please email Fr Richard Stanton on richard_stanton@btinternet.com
All are welcome at this gathering to celebrate a new publication bringing together the use of icons with Julian’s writing.
'Today the word icon means a computer symbol, an entry point to hidden information. A holy icon has a similar purpose; it is an entry point to hidden mysteries. Icons enable us to use our gift of sight to strengthen our relationship with God and the saints, and to bring us closer to them. For an image can in a mysterious way make present the person shown. Totalitarian regimes which are quick to destroy religious images, are just as quick to replace them with giant posters of their own leaders. An icon is not a life-like portrait, but an expression of the subject’s holiness; their ‘inner light’; their direct and living link to God. Gazing on an icon can open the heart to God.
The practice of ‘holy gazing’ has been forgotten in the west but has continued in Orthodoxy. ‘I saw Him and I sought Him’ has passages from Julian and from liturgies of both Western and Orthodox traditions opposite full page colour icons.
There are directions on how to pray with icons and the book can be propped open so the icons can be used for contemplation.
The Afterword gives an outline of the thousand-year history of the Universal Church before the disastrous separation between the Christians of the East and the West in the 11th century; the Soviet Union’s determined campaign to destroy Orthodoxy; and the attempt by the present regime to subvert it'.
‘I Saw Him and I Sought Him’ is available to buy online here and also from the Julian Centre. Introductory offer £16.99, the usual price is £25.
The winners were chosen by Sally-Anne Lomas, who wrote, produced and directed the documentary, The Search for the Lost Manuscript: Julian of Norwich.
She said: "I thought all the entries were wonderful. There was such a range between poems and essays and fairy stories and it was great to see so many original approaches."
CLICK HERE to see the names of the prize winners.
Together with the Friends of Julian of Norwich, the Eastern Daily Press (EDP) ran a competition for children and young people aged between four and 18. To read the winning entries, CLICK HERE.
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This talk suggests looking at Julian’s project as somewhat of a failure in her day, yet something that became more resonant with the early modern audience.
For more information about the lecture, and to reserve a free ticket, click here
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Shirley Buxton, Chair of the Friends of Julian writes:
All are welcome to the opening of the Julian Garden Festival and the unveiling of the Julian650 bench by the Right Reverend Graham Usher, Bishop of Norwich, on Wednesday 5th July at 4pm. During the reception, members of Cantilena will serenade us with madrigals.
The festival continues from Thursday 6th to Sunday 9th July with the garden open daily from 10am to 4pm, and the church closing after evening prayer at 6pm.
Take a brochure and follow a pathway of floral delights inside and outside St Julian’s Church into the adjoining Julian Garden. Be inspired by 16 short quotations from Julian’s Revelations of Divine Love, skilfully burnt into wooden plaques.
A varied programme has been planned for your enjoyment. Feast your eyes on locally-grown floral displays, enjoy tasty refreshments in the Julian Centre, listen to music makers, and ponder on the words written by Julian of Norwich, inspired by her Showings received 650 years ago. Take time to enjoy the peace discovered by so many in the cell and the garden.
Festival highlights include an Organ Recital on Thursday afternoon; the Quicksilver String Quartet playing from 2pm on Friday; Family Activities organised by Norwich in Bloom from 10.30am to 2.30 pm on Saturday, and a Teddy Bears’ Picnic for our younger friends on Sunday from 11.45am to 1pm.
The culmination of the Festival on Sunday 9th July will be a Cream Tea served in the Julian Garden at 3pm, followed by Songs of Praise at 4pm. We hope visitors and pilgrims will enjoy the legacy of this event for years to come.
On Wednesday 5th July over sixty guests attended the Garden Festival launch at St Julian’s churchyard garden, where the newly installed seat was unveiled and blessed by the Right Revd Graham Usher, Bishop of Norwich, in the presence of its creator, craftsman Martin Cook.
Commissioned as a special piece of functional public art to provide a lasting memorial of this year’s 650th anniversary of Julian’s Shewings, the oak and slate seat, placed adjacent to the east wall of the cell, has been hand carved using traditional tools and lettering techniques. The text cut into the slate reads ‘Our soul rests in God its true peace’ (from the Revelations of Divine Love) and into the oak is carved ‘1373: Shewn to an unlettered creature: 2023’.
Martin Cook comes from a family of carvers dating back to 1730. His previous commissions include work for the Royal Family, the British Museum Reading Room, and some of the world’s leading architects.
Julian650 Lecture series - St Julian's Church
Friday 9th – Sunday 11th July
Marie Laure writes: Across the centuries much has been made of Lady Julian’s story. Why hasn’t she vanished into obscurity like an estimated 300 anchoresses of the Middle Ages? She has survived as a woman of note for 650 years! Many of us want to know more about her. Her story calls to us. We want to see where she stayed alone all those years. Like others, I wondered the same as I embarked on my solo pilgrimage across the ocean to see for myself. The result of that pilgrimage is my book: Return from Exile, Revelations from an Anchoress in St Augustine.
Sarah Law writes: Thérèse of Lisieux was born 150 years ago, in 1873. A much-loved saint, she lived as a contemplative Carmelite nun for nine years until her death in 1897. While her life was brief, her spiritual legacy is profound, and her confidence in a loving and merciful God has much in common with that of Julian. Wondering what it was like to know Therese as a contemporary, I researched and wrote Sketches from a Sunlit Heaven using multiple perspectives. Through its fragmentary, lyrical format, this novel invites readers to find their own connection
10 places available
An opportunity to screen print some quotes to keep as reminders of Julian’s wisdom in your home.
Book in advance at denise.treissman123@btinternet.com
Julian650 Lecture series
Saturday 3rd June (recording available)
Pope Francis has sent a message of blessing to all participating in the events marking the 650th anniversary of the Revelations of Mother Julian of Norwich, the medieval mystic and anchoress.
The Bishop of Norwich, The Rt Revd Graham Usher, and the Roman Catholic Bishop of East Anglia, The Rt Revd Peter Collins, were delighted to receive the message from Pope Francis last week. It was read to the congregation at a special anniversary service in Norwich Cathedral on Sunday 14 May.
In his message, Pope Francis speaks about Mother Julian’s “profound significance” and how her words can bring consolation and strength to “all who face the pressing challenges of war, injustice, ecological disaster or spiritual poverty”.
Echoing words used at the Coronation of King Charles III, the Pope expresses his hope that through a greater appreciation of her life Christians will “follow ever more faithfully and joyfully the example of Jesus, the one who came ‘not to be served but to serve’”.
Bishop Graham and Bishop Peter, in an ecumenical gesture of their friendship and partnership in the Gospel, said in a joint statement: "We are very grateful to Pope Francis for his blessing and his generous message about the significance of Mother Julian’s writing, not only for this fine city of Norwich, but in its contemporary relevance for all people. As we mark the 650th anniversary of her Revelations and enjoy a series of events and pilgrimages based around her Shrine in Norwich, we are delighted that Catholics, Anglicans and Christians of other denominations, will be coming together to pray and be inspired by Julian's life and witness to God in Jesus."
The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd and Rt Hon Justin Welby said: "I am delighted to send my greetings for the celebrations of the 650th anniversary of Mother Julian’s revelations. I am sure she never foresaw the extraordinary influence and inspiration she would provide for generations of Christians, and especially for women. I’m glad that her shrine is honoured and maintained today and pray that it will continue to flourish. I wish all of you well for the celebrations.”
Full text of the Papal message:
I was pleased to be informed that over the course of this year, pilgrims from across the world are gathering in the Catholic and Anglican cathedrals of Norwich to mark the 650th anniversary of the “Shewings” of Mother Julian of Norwich, and I send the assurance of my spiritual closeness to those taking part in the various ecumenical celebrations.
The profound significance of this English mystic for the Christian tradition speaks to us from across the centuries and is increasingly being acknowledged and celebrated. Indeed, her maternal influence, humble anonymity, and profound theological insights stand as timely reminders that faith in God’s loving providence and holiness of life expressed in generous service to our brothers and sisters in need, are timeless truths underpinning not only the life of Christian discipleship but the very fabric of a just and fraternal society.
Of particular note is Julian’s generosity in welcoming those who sought spiritual counsel and encouragement. This willingness to sacrifice self-convenience for the sake of others is especially needed in responding to the endemic problems of isolation and loneliness felt by so many in the more materially affluent nations of the world. In this regard, it is my hope that through a greater appreciation of the life of Mother Julian, Christians today will be encouraged to follow ever more faithfully and joyfully the example of Jesus, the one who came “not to be served but to serve” (Mt 20:28).
How vital, too, for today’s world, is the message of God’s mercy and compassion revealed to Mother Julian. In her Revelations of Divine Love, we learn that she was taught through God’s grace that, despite the presence of evil in our midst, “all manner of thing shall be well” (Chapter 32). In this regard, I pray that all who face the pressing challenges of war, injustice, ecological disaster or spiritual poverty, may be consoled and strengthened by these enduring words of wisdom.
To all those participating in the commemorative events, I willingly impart my Blessing, as a pledge of Almighty God’s tender mercy and compassionate love for all his children.
Rome, Saint John Lateran, 8 May 2023
Image (c) Mazur/CBCEW
The Festival Day, organised by the Friends of Julian of Norwich and open to all, will be a high point of the anniversary week.
Held at St Julian’s Church, you’re welcome to join in person for all or any part of the day, or to join us online for worship and the Julian Lecture.
Visit julianofnorwich.org nearer the day for your links to the free online events and further details.
10.30am Worship: Sung Mass
With Renewal of Vows by the Companions of Julian of Norwich (St Julian's Church)
12.15pm 42nd Julian Lecture: Julian’s Mind’s Eye
Professor Barry Windeatt asks how Julian, a woman of the 14th century, sees the relationship between humanity and the eternal divine. Reserve your free ticket here (St Julian's Church)
1.15pm Lunch – bring your own (drinks available in the Julian Centre)
2pm Friends of Julian AGM
All are welcome to attend.
3-4pm Choose from the following Workshops:
Contemplation with Julian (Julian Cell)
Discerning Julian (St Julian’s Church)
Inspired by Julian (Julian Centre)
Walking with Julian (Start from Julian garden gate)
Writing with Julian (All Hallows House)
4.15pm Julian Office (St Julian’s Church)
Saturday 27th May 10.30-1.00pm
‘WOMAN’S HOUR’ Radio 4 at 10am on Monday 8th May.
A special broadcast of 'Woman's Hour' will feature Julian of Norwich, her inspirational writing, and how words still have the power to comfort and inspire us today.
Tune in to listen to a lively and interesting discussion between Sally-Anne Lomas, trustee of the Friends of Julian of Norwich (director of the Cloth of Kindness project), Hetta Howes, literary historian and broadcaster, and author Claire Gilbert who will read extracts from her new fictional autobiography ‘I Julian’.
Photo: Sally-Anne in the Woman's Hour studio © S.A. Lomas
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'650 years since the visions of Julian of Norwich and Margery Kempe's birth in King's Lynn, two novels have been published which explore these influential medieval mystics. Shahidha Bari brings together Claire Gilbert (author of I, Julian) and Victoria MacKenzie (author of For Thy Great Pain Have Mercy On My Little Pain) and New Generation Thinker Hetta Howes to discuss these very different characters and what we know of their lives and faith.'
Listen to the programme on BBC Sounds.
A celebration of the life of Fr Robert Llewelyn, filmed by Denise Treissman in the UK and India, including excerpts of Fr Robert speaking about Julian.
Robert Llewelyn was an Anglican priest, a retreat leader, an educator, a speaker, a spiritual director and for many years Chaplain of the Julian Shrine in Norwich. He wrote ten books on prayer, spirituality, Julian of Norwich and the Saints and was editor of the Enfolded in Love series. He died in February 2008 aged ninety-eight.
More information and tickets (by donation) are available here
Sponsored by Denise Treismann.
The film will also be shown on the 12th July in Norwich.