Mid-1300s: Stone walls
confine her. No power,
no plumbing. No hearth.
An anchoress, by choice,
she is bricked in
for life—gruel, heels of bread,
perhaps an apple, daily
passed over the sill.
Waste, handed out.
Door-less, she understands
fear. Isolation and boredom,
restless yearning.
Famine. And persecution.
The Black Plague.
People line up
at her window, seeking
counsel. Mercy.
Her quiet listening heart.
She will become the world’s most famous anchoress—a woman voluntarily locked up to devote her life to prayer for others.
Julian of Norwich, they call her, noted for penning words that comfort me today:
“All shall be well,
and all shall be well,
and all manner of thing shall be well.”
Julian: Medieval poster child for well-being.
The first woman to write a book in English, she titled it Revelations of the Divine Love. Seven-hundred-some years ago.
Talk about shelf life!
T.S. Eliot quoted her, in The Four Quartets. As have numerous others. To this day, her book ranks with the great spiritual classics.
How might a woman sealed in a stone cell help us today as we shelter in place?
Begin with her body prayer, comprised of four simple (yet pivotal) movements:
Await . . .
Allow . . .
Accept . . .
Attend . . .
Friends, Julian’s body prayer bookends my days in isolation. Sometimes I use it mid-day, as a calming reset between chores. It helps me lean back in my spirit, breathe slowly, inhabit deepening peace.
I could riff on the four words beginning with “A,” but I trust their shelf life. I believe they’ll speak to you if you need them—in their own way, their own time.
I hope you’ll consider adopting, or adapting, Julian’s prayer. You can watch it here.
What simple thought or activity helps you in surreal times?
Read about a 21st century anchoress here.
Photo of hands: Milada Vigerova for Unsplash
Inset of anchoress: A bishop blessing an anchoress, from MS 079: Pontifical, held at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge (c.1400–10)
Thank you for this springboard to learning more. I didn’t know about her life at all! In the stressful times, I have been telling myself to “feel my feels” and then return to my breath, and the peace it brings. Financial hardship is a real thing over here, but more importantly, health, time together with my daughter, and enjoying the sanctuary of my home, so still that I can hear the cats purr from across the room. I cook dinner every night for us, and am gratified by the sink full of dishes after the meal (nourishment for the body and the soul). TIME TO SOAK IN THE WORDS OF FRIENDS AND TO RESPOND!! XO
Dear Michelle, it’s so great to hear from you today! The open-hearted way you’re traversing these challenging days inspires me. Making room (and time) for ALL the feels. The attentive, intentional breathing. Receiving the ensuing peace. (All these long Eeeees suggest EASE as I type them—you cultivating it like a rare bloom in your home with its warmth and delicious smells, your girl and beloved cats).
You make me think about our sink with its piles of used dishes as a “sight” worth soaking in. Sending love to you!
Laurie! This is beautiful and just what I need right now. Having just moved back to Spokane and being in quarantine— and wondering what God is trying to teach me in all of this. Thank you!
Dear Marty, welcome, welcome back! What a time of testing it’s recently been, and I only know a smattering from fb. May Peace envelop you both as you settle more deeply into your new home and, perhaps, a new normal. Wishing you both every blessing. I value the memories of times and ministry shared. Thanks so much for getting in touch.
Thank you for sharing this …I had forgotten about her writings…I love the four words…accept was the word that came to me when we first began the stay at home order here in Missouri…it is the first word I write in my journal each day that I write in it ?
Kel, hello!
How fitting to write that word, over and over. I think I’ll try that, too. Sometimes I like to pen a word or phrase at the top of my journal page with a calligraphy felt tip. It helps me remember I want to circle back to it throughout the day.
I think now of your boat in storage, somewhere, your travels, tabled, then grin as I remember you are a calm, caring, creative FB docent inviting us all to start where we are, and make art of it.
For anyone interested, visit Kel live, here: https://www.facebook.com/kel.rohlf/videos/10158359717888945/
Of course, I have heard of Julian of Norwich, and those immortalized and most comforting words (especially for a time such as this), but honestly, not the term anchoress. I’ve certainly heard of monks and people in cells devoting their lives to prayer, including where I visited in Iona. While somehow her choice seems extreme to me, you prove the point that much richness can come from restriction. There is a marvelous quote about contentment being the ability to remain in one’s cell or room. I just tried to find it, alas, to no avail. I’ll bet you know it, scribe, Laurie! I love your idea of the pregnant pause, time to reset and restore, and Julian’s word are good anchors for that, no? In some ways, my life is not much different than it has been for many years. My angst over leaving the hubbub of society came when a relinquished a most demanding career, and came home to raise Sheridan. There were withdrawal difficulties from the hustle-bustle, but with acceptance came peace. And actually there really is real life at home–full, rich, rewarding. May all be well in your world, dear Laurie, and thank you for extending yourself through your art to ours.
Much love,
Lynn
PS I like that word anchoress. Recently, I decided to call myself an authoress. I like it better.
I wonder if you’re referring to the wisdom sayings of the Desert fathers and mothers: “A brother came to Scetis to visit Abba Moses and asked him for a word. The old man said to him, ‘Go, sit in your cell, and your cell will teach you everything.’”
You, dear Lynn, moved from the hubbub to the deeper hub, and such quiet wealth you’ve found and invested in others through your withdrawal and outreach, from home.
If you have time and the inclination, click on the word anchoress (above) that appears in green ink, and you’ll reach some interesting facts about being an anchoress. I was greatly surprised to learn of the one living today in England!
Wishing you abiding joy, dear authoress.
Laurie, thankyou!! That sounds so very familiar. Maybe not quite. I’m unsure, but familiar and lots of wisdom. Leave it to you to know! And thank you. Will click on. I love too to think of Christ as the Anchor for our souls. And this:
When darkness seems to hide His face
I rest on His unchanging grace
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil
If you find the quote, I’d love to read it. You’re an archive of riches in so many ways.
Thanks for that image of the Anchor. And the lyrics: I’m singing along . . .
I’ve copied at least several of Julian’s meaning-rich quotes in my journals, and knew she was a hermit, but did not know she was bricked in for life. Oh my! I too love those four “A” words. Just reading them slowly and allowing first impressions to take shape brought fresh calm to my heart. With Jody I will keep them in view as a reminder to abide in God and allow His Spirit to minister and lead. As always, thank you, Laurie!
Nancy, a click on the lines in green in the post will take you to more information about Julian if you’re curious.
A friend on Facebook shared this Julian quote with me today:
“He did not say that thou shall not be tempested…
But you will not be overcome.”
I never knew tempested was a verb. As I said, in response: “Let’s bring it back!”
So so glad you found “fresh calm” in her 4 intentions and body prayer. Thanks for telling me.
Another good quote for the journal. Thank you, Laurie. I love when writers create verbs out of nouns–such fun. Didn’t know it’s been a technique since the 1300s!
Yes! Hopefully as long as there is language people will adapt and adopt, amend and alter. Perhaps “tempested” will come to mind when you’re in conversation, or appear one of your blog posts . . .
Thank you for this, Laurie. It really speaks to me just now in my life and circumstance.
You are a blessing….
Dear Roxanne, thank you for letting me know. I’m grateful and glad the words resonate with you. May deepening peace enfold you now and in the days ahead.
Laurie, this is perfect for this time and season. Thank you…. I’ll jot down those words and add them to my stops in the day when I remember to breathe.
xo
Jody, I know what you mean. I was delighted to stumble onto this body prayer—or perhaps I was lead down the virtual rabbit trail . . .
May it bless your pauses
Thank you Laurie!
Repeating in solidarity with you and with the world.
“All shall be well,
and all shall be well,
And all matter of thing shall be well.”
Amen!
You are so welcome, dear friend. For me, there’s something about repeating Julian’s quote three times that helps it sink in. And the gently serene body prayer reminds me of our marvelous yoga classes with Elizabeth. Blessings on you today!