- What is your first impression of Julian’s synopsis of her visions?
- How do you understand the nature of visions – are they real or imaginary?
- In what ways is Julian’s illness like a ‘near death experience’ and how is it different?
- What do you make of the focus on blood in Julian’s first vision – chapters 4 and 7?
- How do you feel about the spiritual concept of the littleness of creation and ourselves – chapter 5?
- What does ‘meekness’ mean to you in this context?
- In what ways can Julian’s revelation and text help us in our spiritual life and the issues we face today?
Planning your visit? Remember to check our closures.
Online Book Group: Revelations of Divine Love by Julian of Norwich
Tuesdays (Until 30 July), 20:00 - 21:00 BST, via Zoom
Julian of Norwich is one of the most celebrated figures of the English Middle Ages. She is esteemed as one of the subtlest writers and profoundest thinkers of the period for her account of the revelations that she experienced in 1373.
Julian lived as an anchoress in Norwich, and after recovering from a serious illness she described the visions that had come to her during her suffering. She conceived of a loving compassionate God, merciful and forgiving, and believed in our ability to reach self-knowledge despite sin. She wrote of God as our mother and embraced strikingly independent theological ideas for her day.
Together, over ten weeks, we shall read and discuss the complete text - focussing on specific chapters each week.
We will be reading the Oxford World’s Classic version, translated by the Cambridge scholar Barry Windeatt.
Whether you can join us for just a few or all of the gatherings, you are most welcome to read together this wonderful and truly inspiring work of spiritual insight
The group is free, but any donation you may wish to make to the mission and ministry of the Cathedral will be warmly received.
Please reserve your space to be sent a zoom link. It will be the same link for each week.
FIND SESSION RECORDINGS BELOW
Each week Canon Emma will begin with a brief introduction followed by discussion and then concluding with a prayer.
Week One (21 May) - Introduction and the first revelation: Chapters 1 to 9 - Session recording
Week Two (28 May) - Showings of the Cross: Chapters 10 to 21 - Session recording
Week Three (4 June) - Visions of Salvation: Chapters 22 to 29 - Session recording
Week Four (11 June) - All Shall be well: Chapters 30 to 40 - Session recording
Please note, due to family reasons Canon Emma is unable to hold the book groups originally scheduled for 18 June and 2 July. The revised dates are as follows:
Week Five (25 June) - United to God through prayer: Chapters 41 to 50 See recording
Week Six (9 July) - The Example of a Lord and a Servant: Chapters 51 to 57
Week Seven (16 July) - Jesus our Mother: Chapters 58 to 65
Week Eight (23 July) - The Final Revelation: Chapters 66 to 73
Week Nine (30 July) – Love was his Meaning: Chapters 74 to 86
For future suggestions of spiritual books for the group to read please email Canon Emma at [email protected]
Online Book Group: Revelations of Divine Love by Julian of Norwich
Session Recordings
Questions to ponder on (Chapters 1-9):
Questions to ponder on (Chapters 10 to 21):
- How do you understand the nature and purpose of visions?
- What does the cross mean to you?
- How do you respond to imaginatively meditating on the wounding of Christ?
- What does the imagery of blood say to you?
- Why did Jesus have to suffer?
- What do you value about the Eucharist?
- Does the suffering of Christ affect the way you see the suffering of others?
- What will you take away from Julian’s showings into your own life?
Questions to ponder on (Chapters 22-29):
- What is your first impression of these latter showings?
- Why would a forgiving God demand satisfaction?
- How do you understand the word ‘heaven’?
- How do you relate to Julian’s depiction of the wound of Christ?
- How is Mary an icon for the perfect response to God’s love?
- What do you resonate with in Julian’s twelfth revelation of Christ as Saviour?
- Can you think of a time when sin seemed to have a purpose?
- In what ways can Julian’s revelation and text help us in our spiritual life and the issues we face today?
Questions to ponder on (Chapters 30-40):
- What do the words ‘all shall be well’ mean to you?
- How do you understand the word ‘sin’?
- Is there ever a time when you can see sin as ‘behovely’ or fitting?
- What do you make of Julian’s questioning of Christ?
- Is Julian a universalist, i.e believes that all people will be saved in the end?
- What do make of Julian’s desire to uphold the teaching of Holy Church even in the face of the opposite in her revelation?
- Have you ever experienced such a cognitive dissonance between your personal beliefs and the teaching of Holy Church?
- What do you think will be the deed that God will do to make all well?
Questions to ponder on (Chapters 41-50):
- In what ways does Julian reflect your own experience of prayer?
- How do you understand the words ‘ground of our beseeching’.
- What is the ‘secret work of the Holy Spirit?
- ‘An high unperceivable prayer’– how do you understand these words?
- What do you make of Julian’s understanding of the soul?
- Do you agree with Julian’s notion of the higher and lower domes or judgement?
- Why does Julian see no wrath in God when scripture often presents God in this way. Is this just wishful thinking?
These recordings include Canon Emma's introductions for each session, and 'questions to ponder'.
Watch Canon Emma's 2023 video series
Julian of Norwich: Visions of Salvation
A series of videos celebrating 650 years since the first revelation.
Monthly until September 2024
Time for Silent Prayer
led by Canon Emma
(Previously 'The Julian Prayer Meetings')
An opportunity to be still in the midst of the business of life and rest in the holiness and peace of this sacred place.
If you are drawn to silent prayer, please join us 18:15-18:45 on:
- Thursday 4 July
- Thursday 1 August
- Thursday 5 September
These meetings are for people of all denominations, faiths or none who wish to join with others in the practice of silent prayer, resting in the present moment.
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