JULIANA OF NORWICH. - English mystic, b. in 1342; she was still living in 1413. In May 1373 she was favored with sixteen "Showings" or "Revelations," narrated in English about 20 years later, when she was living as an anchoress in a cell attached to the church of St. Julian at Norwich, belonging to the Benedictine abbey of Carrow, in which G. was probably a nun.
They were published for the first time in London in 1679, from a 16th-century manuscript, by dom Serenus Cressy (reprint, ibid. 1843) and cited by F. Blomfield (1705-52) in his Topogr. Hist. Norfolk (IV, London 1806). From a 15th-century manuscript they were published by Dundas Harford (ibid. 1911). This is an abridged version. The other was later also published by Fr. P. H. Collins (ibid. 1877), by Miss G. Warrack (ibid. 1901) and by G. Tyrrell (ibid. 1902).
Noteworthy are G.'s theological knowledge and her precision, as well as her docile and obedient faithfulness. "I submit myself to the Holy Church our mother, as an innocent child ought to do," she declares.
The "Revelations" demonstrate the intensity of Our Lord's love for souls, his saving will, what is meant by God's "wrath," and how all things work together for the good of those who love God. G. was greatly troubled by the problem of the devil, by the prevalence of sin, by the eternal damnation of many; she received the answer that on the last day God will in a miraculous way possess all, and that all will then be well, with an allusion to the immense extent of Grace. The key to all the visions lies in these words: "Do you wish to know the intention of our Lord in this thing? His intention, know it, was love. Who showed it to you? Love. And why did he show it to you? For love."
Bibliography3 works
Enrico Rope