web analytics

All shall be well – Julian of Norwich

“all shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well”

Julian of Norwich (by Robert Lentz)
Julian of Norwich (by Robert Lentz)

Today is the feast of Julian of Norwich (c. November 8, 1342 – c. 1416). She is an English mystic. She is called Julian after the Church of St Julian in Norwich, where she was an anchoress. She lived in a cell attached to the church. At the age of 30, suffering from a severe illness and believing she was dying, she had a series of visions which she recorded soon after, and then, after reflecting on them for twenty years, she wrote an expanded version. These are called Revelations of Divine Love.

She saw God holding a tiny thing in his hand, like a small brown nut, which seemed so fragile and insignificant that she wondered why it did not crumble before her eyes. She understood that the thing was the entire created universe, which is as nothing compared to its Creator, and she was told, “God made it, God loves it, God keeps it.” She delightfully surprises some people with her understanding of the motherhood of God and her strong insight that there is no wrath in God.

In the Episcopal Church there is an Order of Julian of Norwich. It is an order of both men and women contemplatives who follow the spirituality of Julian of Norwich and was founded in Norwich, Conn., in 1982.

Lord God, who in your compassion granted to the Lady Julian many revelations of your nurturing and sustaining love: Move our hearts, like hers, to seek you above all things, for in giving us yourself you give us all; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Similar Posts:

5 thoughts on “All shall be well – Julian of Norwich”

  1. I visited the cell where St Julian lived in Norwich it has a beautiful prescence about it,very mediatative and prayerful.

  2. Clare O' Reilly

    I heard the quot “All shall be well, and all shall be well and all manner of thing shall be well” on a TV show, it moved me so I googled it. I am amazed to learn that it comes from this saint. I shall have to learn more about her.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. You can also subscribe without commenting.