Saint Julian of Norwich

Statue of Julian of Norwich by David Holgate, west front, Norwich Cathedral

The 13th of May is the feast day of Saint Julian of Norwich (c. 8 November 1342 – c. 1416). She is also known as Saint Juliana of Norwich. She was an English anchoress, mystic and theologian. She is known for writing the book Revelations of Divine Love in around 1395, which is the first book in the English language known to have been written by a woman.

She was a Benedictine nun living in recluse in Norwich, England. She was struck with an illness when she was 30 that nearly took her life. During the illness, she had visions of Jesus in sixteen separate revelations. The visions stopped when she recovered. Jesus made known the meaning of the revelations fifteen years later, she then wrote about the visions in the book Revelations of Divine Love. She became an anchoress living a solitary life in a cell built into the wall of the church of Saint Julian in Norwich which is not far from London. The Church was in schism during her life, and England was in a war with France. The book brought hope and optimism that God loves and protects with His Providence. Visitors were received in her cell and she gave them guidance in their spiritual life.