Julian of Norwich: Showings (Classics of Western Spirituality) [Paperback]

Julian of Norwich (Author), Edmund Colledge (Translator), James Walsh (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1977 | Series: Classics of Western Spirituality

Julian, an anchoress who lived in solitude in Norwich, England in the late 14th century, received the 16 "showings" or revelations of God's love in a series of experienced visions. The first version was a short text. The second, longer version was apparently written some years after the first, when she had had time to pray and reflect about the teachings God had given her.

In the light of their thirteen years of work on the critical edition of Showings, Colledge and Walsh give us this first modern English rendering from the place of Julian's teaching in Catholic Spirituality. The editors present Julian as a skilled theologian and master of rhetorical style. Jean Leclercz, the noted monk, writer, and medievalist, in his preface addresses himself to the question, "Why is this an important work today?"

Showings reveals a Julian who experienced God directly and not self-consciously as "our mother." Her revelations of the feminine side of God represent a significant contribution to the tradition. Her graphic visions of the humanity of Christ are marked by vivid imagery and detail. But the special appeal of Julian lies in her theology of the all- embracing fullness of divine love. Julian is certainly a warm and approachable companion for the mystical journey.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

In a time when Christian women mystics are at last being discovered, Julian of Norwich still stands out as one of the most essential--and one of the most approachable. An anchoress who lived in solitude in Norwich, England, in the late 14th century, Julian's book consists of the 16 "showings" or revelations from God. Most famous is her vision of the universe as she gazes into the smallness of a hazelnut, but the book is rich throughout with beauty. Her style is simple and homely in its images, not unlike the later St. Teresa of Avila. "God almighty is our loving Father," she writes, "and God all wisdom is our loving Mother." She affirms, "our substance is in God, and ... God is in our sensuality." For Julian God is the foundation of all that is, and the foundation of God is love. As she concludes, "What, do you wish to know your Lord's meaning in this thing? Know it well, love was his meaning. Who reveals it to you? Love. What did he reveal to you? Love. Why does he reveal it to you? For love."

The editors, Edmund Colledge, O.S.A., and James Walsh, S.J., worked for 13 years on this beautiful edition. Including a detailed analysis of the text in the introduction, the book also contains an insightful preface from Jean Leclercq, who explores the relevance of Julian's work for today. All of this, however, is in service to these astonishing visions, given to a woman whose single desire was to surrender all to God. --Doug Thorpe

Language Notes

Text: English (translation) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Paulist Press (January 1, 1977)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0809120917
• ISBN-13: 978-0809120918
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #66,714 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #11 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > New Age > Theosophy
  • #74 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Other Practices > Mysticism
  • #94 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Catholicism > Saints

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

71 of 71 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Medieval Mystics In Person, July 3, 2002

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"nenien" (Goleta, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Julian of Norwich: Showings (Classics of Western Spirituality) (Paperback)

Julian of Norwich is only one of the medieval mystics who attempted to record the unspeakable, that without words, the mystical experience. This book is a record of what she dictated of her experiences, her "showings" of Christ and her relationshp with Him. It gives us insight into the workings of a medieval woman's mind and soul, and into the nature of mysticism itself, something beyond what words can measure.

Unlike Aquinas and some other medievals who had one or, at most, a few mystical experiences, and unlike those who seem to have thrived on flaunting their closeness to God, such as Marjorie Kemp, Julian is a quiet soul. She herself doesn't know what to make of her experiences, doesn't feel worthy of them. Yet they are intrinsically a part of her and her religiosity.

This is a must-read for students of Western mysticism, for those who want to understand the experience of the truly religious in the Middle Ages, and those who also seek to know Christ first-hand. Not a "how to" guide -- any such would be suspect in Julian's world because she does not control her experiences -- it is more of a guide to "what happens when your soul is in this particular state". Her very inability to explain that perfectly is, I think, proof that her experience was very real.

60 of 62 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars God as mother, God as Love, June 28, 2000

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frumiousb "frumiousb" (Amsterdam, the Netherlands) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Julian of Norwich: Showings (Classics of Western Spirituality) (Paperback)

All that's known about Julian of Norwich was that in 1373 a woman lay, at age 30, on her deathbed. The woman did not die, but instead received a series of visions of Christ's passion. These visions are what is recorded in this book in both short (written more closely after the incident) and long (written much later, after more contemplation) versions. She then became an anchoress living as a recluse in a cell attached to the churchyard of St. Julian in Norwich.

Julian's visions, even in translation, are luminous and joyful. She received the assurance that God will, in the end, make all well. The meaning of it all, as she says, is Love. This is one of the most vivid constructions of the medieval image of Christ as mother and is (justly) famous as such. The showings are moving and beautiful.

The Paulist Press/Colledge translation is almost comical in its padding. Featuring a preface, forward, and introduction, the actual short text does not begin until page 125.

42 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars valuable reading, June 13, 2000

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NotATameLion (Michigan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Julian of Norwich: Showings (Classics of Western Spirituality) (Paperback)

Julian of Norwich's Showings is yet another indispensable volume in "The Classics of Western Spirituality" series. It contains the sixteen visions given to Julian who lived alone as an Anchoress in late 14th-early 15th century England.

This volume contains both the short and long text of Julian's visions. Julian writes with a lucid depth of feeling rarely encountered in descriptions of God's love. Julian's love for Christ is clearly felt in these pages. The preface and introduction give ample justification for claiming a place of importance for Julian's writings in the pantheon of mystical and spiritual writers.

This is valuable reading for everyone who wants to know the love of God more.