All Shall Be Well: Visions of salvation with Julian Norwich

A prayerful resource, this book uses reflection, scripture and Julian of Norwich’s own teachings to present a meditation that enables the reader to linger on the wonder of the cross. ‘This is a wonderfully refreshing introduction to Julian of Norwich, which conveys her spiritual toughness and the resilience and freedom she found through reflecting on the cross of Christ. For those who associate Julian only with her vision of the hazelnut, this will be a revelation.’ Angela Tilby, canon emeritus, Christ Church, Oxford ‘In this very accessible and enthralling volume, Emma Pennington takes us into Julian’s world. She gently enables us to engage with Julian in a way which fulfils what Julian felt was her mandate for writing – pointing us to God. Rather than writing a book about Julian, Emma helps us to pray with Julian – whoever we are.’ Brother Stuart Burns OSB ‘I absolutely love this book. As the foreword explains, it aims to draw the reader into a profoundly meditative encounter with Julian’s visions and understanding of God. It manages this with a beautiful simplicity that will draw in any reader. Informed by the author’s deep scholarship, this a sure and reliable guide.’ Santha Bhattacharji, fellow emeritus, St Benet’s Hall, University of Oxford, and president, Churches Fellowship for Psychical and Spiritual Studies ‘Emma Pennington has opened the writings of Julian of Norwich to us in a fresh and wonderful way. She has placed them in the context of the world in which Julian lived and demonstrated how Julian reveals to us that we live in a sacramental world, where ordinary and homely events not only show us God’s passionate love for us in the face of Jesus Christ but also prompt a loving response as we allow ourselves to receive revelations of divine love. Emma has shown how Julian’s writings are like a spiritual workbook that reveals the joy of resurrection even as we contemplate the face of Jesus on the cross. Emma has also given us, in this book, a spiritual treasure which causes us to journey and explore and, in that quest, to venture deeper and deeper into the love of God, with Julian as our companion.’ Robert Willis, dean of Canterbury Cathedral ‘Emma Pennington has that rare gift of bringing theological and literary insights together. She transports us to a different world – Julian’s world of the 14th century – and yet makes it completely and profoundly accessible to the modern reader. This is a very moving book, one to be read slowly and reflected on deeply. With all its discomforts, as well as comfort, may I encourage you to accept her and Julian’s invitations to come and stand at the foot of Christ’s cross.’ Rt Revd Colin Fletcher OBE, Bishop of Dorchester How can all be well in the world in which we live? What does ‘All shall be well’ mean when all is not well? Through revelations ten to sixteen of her Revelations of Divine Love, Julian of Norwich returns time and again to the idea that ‘all is well’. In her latest book Emma Pennington examines this popular mantra and explores what Julian really means by it, bringing depth and relevance to these words for the reader who lives in an age of pandemic, war and climate crisis which closely echoes Julian’s own. Through deep engagement with Julian’s visions of salvation Emma encourages the reader to reflect in prayer and devotion on their own personal relationship with God.