Here is a litany created from the words of Julian of Norwich, 14th Century English Mystic. I put together this litany for a Julian of Norwich quiet day I led at a church in Atlanta a few years ago. Yesterday I was going through some papers and found a copy of the litany, and decided it ought to be posted on the blog. So here it is — feel free to use it or share it as you see fit.
Litany of Julian of Norwich
Leader: Good Lord, grant mercy. Blessed may you be.
People: For things are thus, and all is well.
Leader: All shall be well, and all shall be well,
People: And all manner of things shall be well.
Leader: For the fullness of joy,
People: Is to behold God in all..
Leader: All shall be well, and all shall be well,
People: And all manner of things shall be well.
Leader: We are his bliss, we are his reward,
People: We are his glory, we are his crown.
Leader: All shall be well, and all shall be well,
People: And all manner of things shall be well.
Leader: As truly as God is our father.
People: So truly is God our mother.
Leader: All shall be well, and all shall be well,
People: And all manner of things shall be well.
Leader: The soul is at one with God,
People: When truly it is at peace with itself.
Leader: All shall be well, and all shall be well,
People: And all manner of things shall be well.
All (Unison): God, of your goodness, give us yourself, for you are enough for us. We may ask for nothing less that is fully to your worship, and if we do ask anything less, ever shall we be in want. Only in you, we have all. Amen.
Julian of Norwich (1342-ca. 1416) was a Christian visionary who spent the latter part of her life living in solitude and prayer in a cell attached to the Church of St. Julian in Norwich, England (from which she takes her name). She is the first woman known to write a book in the English language. That book, Revelations of Divine Love, tells the story of her sixteen visions or “showings” and her years of prayerful reflection on their spiritual meaning. A contemporary of Geoffrey Chaucer, she wrote in Middle English. Today her book is renowned for its vivid and striking imagery depicting the radical, boundless love of God for humanity.
Enjoy reading this blog?
Click here to become a patron.
Here are some pictures from my most recent visit to Julian’s Shrine — her reconstructed cell at St. Julian’s in Norwich. Enjoy!
Enjoy reading this blog?
Click here to become a patron.
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In