“All will be well, and all manner of things shall be well ... and you shall see it.”
Many know this quote from the 14th century English, Christian mystic, Julian of Norwich, but who was Julian to say such a thing, and what does she mean? How can all things be well, especially since she lived at the time of the Bubonic Plague during the 100 Years’ War? Julian is among the greatest apostles of the close, familiar, unfailing and all-embracing love of God in all of history. Her Showings, also called Revelations of Divine Love, record her visions of Christ’s Passion and the passionate insights shown to her during a three-day period in May of 1373.
Join us for a six-week online book study based on Showings. Prior to each session, participants will read a section of the short text of Showings (and the corresponding section of the longer text, if they choose).
Dates: Six consecutive Mondays, October 14 to November 18, 2024
Time: 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. CT
Facilitator: David L. Miller
Background: After her ‘showings,’ Julian wrote a short text of the visions and insights God had given her. Continuing to meditate upon them, she drew ever-deeper awareness of God’s universal and unfailing kindness, writing a longer text of Showings 20 years later, expanding upon the earlier text. In both the short and long texts, Julian revealed the beauty and joy of the heart of Christ, treating major themes such as the Passion, the Trinity, the image and nature of God, sin, suffering, the purpose and struggle of prayer, joy, the motherhood of God, Christ’s familiar and intimate presence in the soul—and the primacy of God’s love in all things.
As Julian herself concludes, “Love was [God’s] meaning. Who reveals it to you? Love. What did he reveal to you? Love. Why does he reveal it to you? For Love. … I saw very certainly … that before God made us he loved us, which love never abated and never will.” Julian’s Showings draws us into the depth of her heart—and our own—to meet the One whose kindness never fails.
Book study format and notes from David Miller: Prior to each session, participants will read a section of the short text of Showings (and the corresponding section of the longer text, if they choose). For reference, in the preferred text listed below, the short text is 45 pages long; the long text is 168 pages.
This reading group is not an academic class in Julian of Norwich. We will reflect on Showings for spiritual illumination, reading and praying in the mode of lectio divina, in which we read; meditate on what we have read, mulling and savoring what moves our hearts and minds; speak to God, praying about what is moving in us; then rest in the awareness of what the Spirit has shown us.
The facilitator will provide a reading schedule for each week and reflection questions related to the reading. Each session will begin with a short presentation about Julian and a theme from Showings. Sessions will continue in break-out groups of three or four, meeting for 30 minutes, to discuss the reading, exploring insights, gifts, graces and questions. Each weekly session will end with the entire group gathered to share primary insights and ask questions for clarification.
Preferred text: Julian wrote in Middle English and is likely the first person ever to write a theological/spiritual text in English. There are numerous translations into more accessible English. My preferred text is: Julian of Norwich, Showings, Classics of Western Spirituality, Paulist Press, 1978. It is easily accessible from Amazon or other providers. There are several newer translations and paraphrases, and you are free to use them. But in my view, they tend to obscure Julian’s unique style and voice, replacing it with that of the translator. These translations also often make adjustments in Julian’s language to reflect the translators’ theological interests. Whatever translation you use for this retreat, make sure it includes both the short and long text of Showings. Many translations do not include the short text, although it tends to be more colorful and immediate to Julian’s experience.
Cost and registration:
We welcome everyone, regardless of financial circumstance, to join us.
Registration closes at noon on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024.
Please review our cancellation policy.
Pay What It Costs - $75
Your payment of this amount supports the mission of Christos by ensuring that the costs of hosting this workshop are fully met. This also lets us wisely prepare budgets for future workshops and events.NEW! Pay It Forward - $95
Your payment of this amount empowers fellow contemplative seekers to deepen their connection with God by attending the workshop and also lets us expand accessibility to those experiencing limited financial circumstances.NEW! Pay As You Grow - $45
Your payment of this amount allows Christos to honor your desire to attend this workshop to deepen your connection with God.
ABOUT THE PRESENTER: David L. Miller has served Christ’s Church as a pastor, journalist, author and retreat leader. He currently directs a small group through the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius Loyola as a partner in Christos’ Ignatian Spirituality program. He studied Christian spirituality at Catholic Theological Union, Loyola University and The Claret Center, all in Chicago. He was a senior and executive editor of The Lutheran Magazine before becoming the first Cornelsen Director of Spiritual Formation at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. He is the author of Friendship with Jesus, A Way to Pray the Gospel of Mark, an exploration of Ignatian Contemplation. He blogs at prayingthemystery.blogspot.com. David and his wife, Dixie, live in Downers Grove, IL.
