Julian of Norwich (c. 1342–after 1416) was an English mystic, anchoress, and one of the most significant spiritual writers of the Middle Ages. She lived as a hermit in a cell near St. Julian's Church in Norwich, from which her name is derived.
Around the age of 30, Julian experienced a series of mystical visions during a severe illness concerning the Passion of Christ and God's love. Her work Revelations of Divine Love is considered the first known book written in English by a woman.
The central theme of her theology is God's unconditional love and mercy. She is famous for her deep trust in divine providence, expressed in her well-known words: “All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.”
Julian's thinking was extraordinarily hopeful and forward-thinking for her time. Her mystical vision combines profound knowledge of God with pastoral wisdom, and her work continues to hold significant spiritual importance today.
During the entire time this vision lasted, I was not moved to pray, but only to always have in mind for comfort that everything we long for is fulfilled if we long for God, and then it is not necessary to pray. However, if we do not long for God, then we need to pray.
© BLI - Thomas Schuh 2025