Did you know that May 8th is the commemoration of Julian of Norwich? I didn’t—my denomination doesn’t do much with commemoration dates. But my spouse, a chaplain and ELCA minister, pays lots of attention to these days, and was excited to tell me of this particular commemoration.
Julian’s name sounded familiar to me, but I didn’t know much about her. Julian is recognized as the earliest known English woman writer and lived from 1342-1416. She was an “anchorite”, a laywoman who lived in isolation in a room attached to a church. While our circumstances are different, I had a hunch that Julian might have good words for us today, so I researched a bit more.
Most anchorites saw their self-isolation as a way of caring for others. In medieval religious culture, a life spent praying for others was seen as crucial in supporting society as a whole. Anchorites were encouraged to both acknowledge the challenges of self-isolation, but also to keep in mind all of the people their prayers were protecting. This reminds me that I don’t need to pretend that staying at home right now is pleasant (it isn’t), but to keep in mind the ways in which self-isolation in these days may protect others.
Julian’s writings encourage those of us who are struggling to acknowledge our vulnerability and struggles, but she sees vulnerability as a strength rather than a weakness (has Brené Brown read her work, I wonder?). This is certainly something to strive for in both our current COVID-19 context and beyond, but I also find it comforting right now.
At one point Julian is very sick, and everyone assumes that she is near death. She has a series of visions, but the one I’ve heard referenced most includes the words “All shall be well, all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well.” Julian survives for several more years, and in the writings she does about this, she is clear that this isn’t a statement encouraging passivity. Instead, these words highlight the goodness and presence of God. They are words that I tend to over-think, but in recent days, I have found them to be a powerful breathing prayer.
We have not chosen this. But there are teachers all around us, if we can find space to listen.
All manner of things shall be well. May it be so.
Hannah Campbell Gustafson ’09
Associate Chaplain for Christian and Interfaith Life