Julian of Norwich: Revelations...

During his weekly general audience of the 1st of December Benedict XVI focused his attention on the figure of an English 14th century mystic and anchoress, Julian of Norwich :
"I still remember with great joy the Pope said on this occasion, the Apostolic journey made in the United Kingdom last September. England is a land that has given birth to a great many distinguished figures who enhanced Church history with their testimony and their teaching. One of them, venerated both in the Catholic Church and in the Anglican Communion, is the mystic Julian of Norwich, of whom I wish to speak this morning.
The — very scant — information on her life in our possession comes mainly from her Revelations of Divine Love in Sixteen Showings, the book in which this kindly and devout woman set down the content of her visions.
It is known that she lived from 1342 until about 1430, turbulent years both for the Church, torn by the schism that followed the Pope’s return to Rome from Avignon, and for the life of the people who were suffering the consequences of a long drawn-out war between the Kingdoms of England and of France. God, however, even in periods of tribulation, does not cease to inspire figures such as Julian of Norwich, to recall people to peace, love and joy.
As Julian herself recounts, in May 1373, most likely on the 13th of that month, she was suddenly stricken with a very serious illness that in three days seemed to be carrying her to the grave. After the priest, who hastened to her bedside, had shown her the Crucified One not only did Julian rapidly recover her health but she received the 16 revelations that she subsequently wrote down and commented on in her book, Revelations of Divine Love."

A book this often described as the tenderest and most beautiful exposition in the English language of God's dealings with man.

Why not listen to excerpts from these writings chosen for us by Jill Bevilacqua. Beginning with a reading from Chapter 9 in which Julian makes it clear that she does not consider herself superior in any way because of her vision : "The fact that I have had this Revelation does not mean that I am good . I am good only in so far as I love God the better: if you love God more than I do than you are by that much better than I. I am not trying to tell the wise something they know well already ; but I am seeking to tell the instructed for their peace and comfort . And of comfort we all have need."
Listen: