Silent Retreat - Praying with Julian of Norwich (1)

In this retreat, we will consider some of Julian’s insights into God’s desires for us, and our call to grow into spiritual maturity. The retreat will be silent and individual spiritual direction will be available daily.

About Julian of Norwich: Julian of Norwich, a 14th Century anchoress, is recognised as the author of the oldest surviving book written in the English language by a woman. She was a contemporary of Chaucer and lived through the tumultuous times of the Bubonic Plague (all 3 waves), the Peasants Revolt, and the first printing of the Bible in the vernacular rather than in Latin. In the midst of this social upheaval, when Julian was seriously ill and near death, she experienced 16 visions (which she called “Showings”) of Christ and was healed of her illness. Sometime later she entered the anchor-hold attached to St Julian’s Church in Norwich. Over the next 20 years, she contemplated her visions and, when she was certain of her interpretation, she wrote her manuscript. During the Reformation when Catholicism was outlawed, the manuscript was taken to France for safekeeping. It was rediscovered at the beginning of the 20th Century and it has been translated into modern English many times in the intervening years. Little is known about the woman who became Julian of Norwich – it is likely that she took her name from the Church which supplied the anchor-hold. While we can glean some information from her writings, from The Book of Margery Kemp, and from some bequests in wills, we will never know who Julian was. Her writing is a fascinating combination of mystical experience and contemplative theological reflection. It is full of intricate and subtle connections and has been described as “one of the great works of medieval theology in any language by an author of either gender”.

Cost: Including all meals 

$560 (waged)

$340 (unwaged)

About Glenda Prosser: Glenda is a qualified spiritual director and pastoral supervisor in private practice for more than 20 years. She believes that God is always and everywhere active in our lives – our spiritual journey involves becoming aware of how God is present to us in each situation. Trained in the contemplative tradition through Spiritual Growth Ministries and CAIRA, Glenda served 6 years on the executive of the NZ Association of Christian Spiritual Directors (ACSD-ANZ), the last 2 of those as Executive Chair. Originally a secondary school teacher, she also holds a Masters of Arts (Spirituality) from OST in Texas. A Benedictine oblate and licensed lay minister in the Anglican church, Glenda lives in Rangiora (North Canterbury).

Please note: an invoice for a $60 non-refundable deposit will be sent to you on registration. No registration will be accepted without a deposit. Full payment for the retreat must be made by February 15, 2021.

Parking and access: There is no parking outside Sister Eveleen Retreat House. Parking is available on the roadside next to Scarborough Pool at the bottom of the hill. If you require assistance getting up to the house, please contact Eddie on 022 563 6879 or email sister.e.retreat@gmail.com