Julian's Near-Death Illness Experience
In May 1373, in the bustling city of Norwich, England, Julian lay on what she believed to be her deathbed. At the age of 30, she was gripped by a grave illness that brought her to the brink of life. In this state of vulnerability, Julian experienced a profound series of sixteen visions that would alter her understanding of God forever. As she lay there, God revealed to her a vision of a small object in her hand, 'the size of a hazelnut.' When she questioned its meaning, she understood it to be 'all that is made,' and that everything is sustained by God's love.
Divine Visions of God's Love
These visions, or 'shewings,' as Julian described them, painted a picture of divine love that contradicted the conventional views of her time. 'Some of us believe that God is almighty, and can do everything; and that he is all wise, and may do everything; but that he is all love, and will do everythingโ there we draw back,' she observed. Yet, through her revelations, Julian came to see that God's love was the foundation of all creation and existence.
Life as an Anchoress
Following her recovery, Julian chose to live as an anchoress, dedicating her life to prayer and contemplation in a cell attached to St. Julian's Church in Norwich. From this secluded place, she wrote her reflections in *Revelations of Divine Love*, the earliest surviving book in English written by a woman. Her writings offered a radical and comforting perspective: 'All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.'
Legacy of Divine Revelations
Julian's encounters with God provided her with a deep assurance of His unending love. She wrote, 'God loved us before he made us; and his love has never diminished and never shall.' Her life and work became a beacon of hope for many, including Margery Kempe, who visited Julian around 1413 seeking spiritual counsel. Julian's message of love and the certainty that God is both our Mother and Father continues to resonate through the ages, offering solace and peace to those who face life's uncertainties.
