Julian of Norwich
Julian (also called Juliana,) was a celebrated mystic whose writing on Revelations of Divine Love (or Showings) is considered one of the most remarkable documents of medieval religious experience. She spent the latter part of her life as a hermit at St. Julian's Church, Norwich.
In May, 1373, Julian was healed of a serious illness after experiencing a series of visions of Christ's suffering and of the Blessed Virgin, about which she wrote two accounts; the second, longer version being about 30 years after the first. Unparalleled in English religious literature, her Revelations cover the most profound mysteries of the Christian faith such as the problems of predestination, the foreknowledge of God, and the existence of evil. The clarity of her perception, the precision of her theological presentation, and the sincerity of her expression reveal a personality of exceptional strength and charm. Never beatified, she is honoured on the unofficial feast day of May 13. A modern chapel in the Church of St. Julian has been dedicated to her memory.
Julian's meditations on the inner meaning of her revelations of the crucified Christ express the mystical solidarity of all humanity in the Redeemer, who is conceived of as a nurturing mother.
The language of the Revelations has been slightly modernised in this e-text, for ease of use. The medieval English flavour of the original is reflected in the Postscript given below.
Postscript
[The Sloane MS. is entitled "Revelations to one who could not read a Letter, Anno Dom. 1373," and each chapter is headed by a few lines denoting its contents. These titles are in language similar to that of the text, and are probably the work of an early scribe. To the same scribe also may be assigned this conclusion: ]
Thus endeth the Revelation of Love of the blissid Trinite showid by our Savior Christ Jesu for our endles comfort and solace and also to enjoyen in him in this passand journey of this life.
Amen Jesu amen
I pray Almyty God that this booke com not but to the hands of them that will be his faithfull lovers, and to those that will submitt them to the faith of holy Church, and obey the holesom understondying and teching of the men that be of vertuous life, sadde Age and sound lering: ffor this Revelation is hey Divinitye and hey wisdom, wherfore it may not dwelle with him that is thrall to synne and to the Devill.
And beware you take not on thing after your affection and liking, and leve another: for that is the condition of an heretique. But take every thing with other. And, trewly understonden, All is according to holy Scripture and groundid in the same. And that Jesus, our very love, light and truth, shall show to all clen soulis that with mekeness aske profe reverently this wisdom of hym.
And you to whom this boke shall come, thank heyley and hertily our Saviour Christ Jesu that he made these showings and revelations, for the, and to the, of his endles love, mercy and goodnes for your and our save guide, to conduct to everlastying bliss: the which Jesus mot grant us. AMEN. end of this e-text