LAKE JAMES
NORTH CAROLINA
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LAKE JAMES NORTH CAROLINA
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Dame Julian of Norwich She was born in 1342 in England. On May 8th, 1373 at the age of thirty, she became so ill that she was given the last rites, but suddenly, on the seventh day, all pain left her and she had a series of fifteen revelations in a state of ecstasy which lasted five hours, with one further vision following the next day. Twenty years later she wrote a book The Sixteen Revelations of Divine Love based on meditations on her earlier experience, the focus being on the Passion of Christ and of the Holy Trinity. Soon after her recovery from her illness, Julian became an anchoress (a recluse) at Norwich, living in a small dwelling attached to the Church of St. Julian. It is interesting to know that her given name is unknown - her title “Dame Julian” comes from being referred to by her contemporaries as “The Lady who lives at St. Julian’s Church.” Already in her lifetime, she was so widely known and respected as a mystic and spiritual guide that both priests and lay folk came from all over to visit and consult her. The great 15th century mystic Margery Kempe said of Dame Julian “This anchoress was expert in knowledge of our Lord and could give good counsel. I spent much time with her talking of the love of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
In this country, a semi-enclosed contemplative Episcopal monastic community, the Order of Julian of Norwich, was founded in 1985. Following medieval practice, it consists of both monks and nuns. The ministries of the Order include the practice, teaching, and promulgation of classic Christian contemplative prayer, retreats, spiritual direction, study, and writing. Beside the monks and nuns of the Order, there are “Associates” who keep a simple Rule, and “Oblates” who have a more elaborate Rule of Life and close relationship to the Order. Our own Dr. Jim Johnson is a Probationary Oblate of that Community. Collect for the Feast of Dame Julian of Norwich (May 8th) Lord God, in your compassion you 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. Amen. --------------------------- To learn more about being an anchoress from Wikipedia.org, click here.
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This page last modified on Friday, April 11, 2008 09:40 PM |
Dame
Julian’s book emphasizes how God’s love is shown in the Passion of Christ. A
lovely phrase she uses again and again about Jesus is “our courteous Lord.”
Perhaps her best known and loved words are some given to her by Christ for her
encouragement: “I can make all things well; I will make all things well; I shall
make all things well; and you can see for yourself that all manner of things
shall be well.”