Julian of Norwich's impacts on society, then and now
Julian of
Norwich impacted many people in her time. The plague was the latest epidemic in
the Medieval era and everyone was extremely worried. People in this time looked
to the Catholic church for help and guidance. As a nun Julian helped many by
acting as a spiritual counsellor. She provided insight into the spiritual world
with a common sense approach giving hope as well as reassurance to those who were
sick and in pain. Julian would have tried to help many people who were worried
about death and the afterlife. She firmly believed that God loved everyone and to sin was
a part of human nature and any pain caused reminds us of Christs pain.
Her work has been continued into todays society, where you can talk to a counsellor or Catholic support group when ill or suffering from physical or mental disorders. People have come to rely on this as well as seeing the benefits in talking through your problems. You are also able to do this in the church when you take part in reconciliation with a priest.
Julian was gravely ill at the age of 30. "I understood by my reason and by my feeling of my pains that I should die; and I assented fully with all the will of my heart to be at God’s will." After her first vision about the crucifix, her sight started to deteriorate. "It was all dark about me in the chamber, as if it had been night". These visions continued for two days, they provided her with great happiness and peace. These showings inspired her to write a book call The Revelations of Divine Love. She originally wrote a shorter version and many years later, re-wrote it in more detail. The book contained many Christian beliefs, values and past events, such as the Holy Trinity, Jesus's cruel death and love. The book, just like her, was inspirational and provided help to those who sought it.
Medieval society was extremely patriarchal (men dominated), especially in the church. Women didn't have a voice in society. God was always referred to and thought of as a man. Julian of Norwich created some new feministic ways of thinking about this. She contributed to Theology, in particular Feminine Theology, with her book The Revelations of Divine Love. Julian may have been what we call a feminist in todays society. A lot of her visions had very feministic ideas. She had a showing from God about Mary, Jesus's mother. She talks about how important motherhood is. "Motherhood belongeth natural love, wisdom, and knowing; and it is good". Without Mary, Jesus wouldn't have been our saviour. Another of these ideas was that God wasn't only our father but also our Mother, Julian saw this in one of her showings. "I it am, the Might and the Goodness of the Fatherhood; I it am, the Wisdom of the Motherhood" said God. Julian was the first women to write a book in English, a huge step forward in society and for women, as well as the future generations of women.
Many people are inspired by her works and beliefs today. There is a Julian centre close the St Julian of Norwich Church. It's a place where you are able to go and learn more about Julian. They host special events in hope to learn more as well as share their ideas with others. You are able to become a part of a very spiritual community, who are inspired by Julian and her writings.
In 1985, an order was founded in the name of Julian of Norwich. The order offers monastic lifestyles and spiritual renewal in the Episcopal Church. The order commits itself to prayer, meditation, conversion of life, as well as expanding their understanding of Julian's witness to God's love for us in Jesus Christ. The order does these things 'in the spirit of our Mother St Julian.'
St Julian of Norwich was never formally canonized, though, Catholics have a feast day for her on the 13th of May while Anglican and Lutheran Churches on the 8th of May, which coincidently falls on Mothers day in 2015.
Her work has been continued into todays society, where you can talk to a counsellor or Catholic support group when ill or suffering from physical or mental disorders. People have come to rely on this as well as seeing the benefits in talking through your problems. You are also able to do this in the church when you take part in reconciliation with a priest.
Julian was gravely ill at the age of 30. "I understood by my reason and by my feeling of my pains that I should die; and I assented fully with all the will of my heart to be at God’s will." After her first vision about the crucifix, her sight started to deteriorate. "It was all dark about me in the chamber, as if it had been night". These visions continued for two days, they provided her with great happiness and peace. These showings inspired her to write a book call The Revelations of Divine Love. She originally wrote a shorter version and many years later, re-wrote it in more detail. The book contained many Christian beliefs, values and past events, such as the Holy Trinity, Jesus's cruel death and love. The book, just like her, was inspirational and provided help to those who sought it.
Medieval society was extremely patriarchal (men dominated), especially in the church. Women didn't have a voice in society. God was always referred to and thought of as a man. Julian of Norwich created some new feministic ways of thinking about this. She contributed to Theology, in particular Feminine Theology, with her book The Revelations of Divine Love. Julian may have been what we call a feminist in todays society. A lot of her visions had very feministic ideas. She had a showing from God about Mary, Jesus's mother. She talks about how important motherhood is. "Motherhood belongeth natural love, wisdom, and knowing; and it is good". Without Mary, Jesus wouldn't have been our saviour. Another of these ideas was that God wasn't only our father but also our Mother, Julian saw this in one of her showings. "I it am, the Might and the Goodness of the Fatherhood; I it am, the Wisdom of the Motherhood" said God. Julian was the first women to write a book in English, a huge step forward in society and for women, as well as the future generations of women.
Many people are inspired by her works and beliefs today. There is a Julian centre close the St Julian of Norwich Church. It's a place where you are able to go and learn more about Julian. They host special events in hope to learn more as well as share their ideas with others. You are able to become a part of a very spiritual community, who are inspired by Julian and her writings.
In 1985, an order was founded in the name of Julian of Norwich. The order offers monastic lifestyles and spiritual renewal in the Episcopal Church. The order commits itself to prayer, meditation, conversion of life, as well as expanding their understanding of Julian's witness to God's love for us in Jesus Christ. The order does these things 'in the spirit of our Mother St Julian.'
St Julian of Norwich was never formally canonized, though, Catholics have a feast day for her on the 13th of May while Anglican and Lutheran Churches on the 8th of May, which coincidently falls on Mothers day in 2015.