Book Review: Showings by Julian of Norwich

Showings by Julian of Norwich, translated with an introduction by Edmund Colledge, O.S.A., and James Walsh, S.J.

Julian of Norwich was an anchoress, a woman who lived in a small room attached to a church in Norwich, England, in the 1300s. Early in her life, she prayed for three graces. First was to have a vivid recollection of Christ's Passion. Second was to experience a severe bodily sickness at age 30, as if she were to die. Third was to have three wounds--"the wound of true contrition, the wound of loving compassion and the wound of longing with my will for God." [p. 179] In her thirtieth year, she did have a sickness that took her to the brink of death, after which she had sixteen visions or "showings" that altered and deepened her spiritual life. She wrote about them immediately after the experience. Twenty years later, she expanded that writing, giving the book richer spiritual detail that she developed with all that time to reflect upon them.

This book contains both the first text and the longer second text. The translators provide a substantial introduction. As is my way, I read the texts before the introduction in hopes of not having the words pre-interpreted for me. The introduction is mostly a rehash of the text, giving the historical context, showing the connections to biblical and patristic sources, and commenting on her theological insights. I found the introduction a little dry and probably won't re-read it in future readings.

As for Julian herself, her visions are a mixture of vivid experiences of Christ's bodily suffering and of God's relationship to His creatures. Several themes are prevalent. Her most famous quote (which comes up several times in the text) is "All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well." She has a profound faith and trust in divine providence. God has a plan for everyone and things (like her near-death illness) do work out according to His plan for salvation. She appreciates the sacrifice Jesus made for us and wants to unite her suffering more to His. His providence protects us from the greatest evil, sin, but not from suffering: "He did not say: You will not be troubled, you will not be belaboured, you will not be disquieted; but he said: You will not be overcome." [p. 315] The devil tempts us and our own nature can falter, but God's grace is enough to carry us through.

Another theme she develops is controversial. She discusses the motherhood of God, often referring to Christ as "our Mother." He gives us mercy and feeds us from His own flesh, both maternal attributes. She draws on the popular image of the pelican, a bird that will tear bits of its own flesh to feed its young. All good things come from God, so the goods of motherhood also come from Him. Interestingly, even when referring to Christ as "our Mother," Julian always uses the pronouns "He" or "Him." So she isn't confused about Jesus's gender. In addition to His masculine attributes, He also has what are considered feminine traits, like compassion and tenderness and healing. Just as a father and a mother provide for their children, so God provides for all humans. It's a subtle nuance that is easily lost in casual conversation or reflection.

I found the text interesting and challenging. I have read almost nothing about people's mystical experiences and this makes me want to read more. That's a good thing.

Recommended.