DRAWN TO LOVE,
EXPECTANT WITH LONGING

A Julian of Norwich Guided Spiritual Pilgrimage

WHERE: London and Norwich, UK
WHEN: Sept. 28 - Oct. 2, 2027

COST: $1650-$1800 per person

THE PILGRIMAGE EXPERIENCE

Alive during the Black Plague, the Peasants' Revolt, and the Hundred Years' War, Julian had a near-death experience through which she received 16 different visions of God. Through these visions, she was inspired to talk and write about the boundless, universal love of God for all of creation. Julian devoted the last decades of her life to God by living as an anchoress in a cell attached to the St. Julian Church in Norwich, never once leaving the cell. From a window in her cell, she offered spiritual guidance and direction; people from near and far would travel to seek her wisdom. Julian's book, Revelations of Divine Love, was posthumously published, making her the first (known) female writer published in England.

In the face of adversity, Julian encourages us not to be dissuaded by the injustices and evil around us; instead, she gives us guidance to perceive and trust the foundation of God's love as the basis for our intentions and actions.

Her writings, as relevant now as ever, give comfort and courage to our 21st century souls. Everything is about love.

This small group of pilgrims, led by Ultreia Ministry, will travel together from London to the site of Julian's cell in Norwich. They will stay 5 days at All Hallows Guesthouse, The Julian Shrine in Norwich. A gentle schedule of daily rhythms will be offered, including daily prayers and worship with communion, guided reflections and spiritual practices, daily excursions around Norwich and the surrounding area, creative workshops, and spiritual direction. Pilgrims are invited to participate however much they would like, and are encouraged to follow their own soul's longings for that time.

MEET YOUR GUIDING COMPANIONS

Laura Rasmussen is an ordained PC(USA) pastor, certified in spiritual direction and spiritual formation, and leads retreats and guided spiritual pilgrimages around the world. Currently, Laura makes her home in Paris, France and Omaha, Nebraska. One of her favorite quotes from Julian is “O God, of your goodness, give yourself to me: for you are enough for me…Only in you do I have everything.”

Marlayne Whitlock is a licensed counselor with a specialty in spirituality and counseling.  She is classically trained in spiritual direction including accompanying individuals through the Spiritual Exercises.  She leads groups and retreats around the topic of spiritual formation.  She lives in Atlanta, Georgia. A meaningful quote from Julian continues to speak to her, “…for our soul sits in God in true rest, and our soul stands in God in sure strength, and our soul is naturally rooted in God in endless love.” 

Ali Thomas Steer is a graduate of the Renovaré Institute, experienced discipleship group leader, trained listener and part time blogger. Based in London, and worshipping in the Anglican tradition, Ali brings some British colour to the pilgrimage experience. The Julian quotation she is sitting with at the moment is “The greatest honor we can give Almighty God is to live gladly because of the knowledge of his love.”

Pre-Register & REQUESt
MORE INFORMATION

  • OPTIONS:

    $1600-$1850 per person, $2500 per couple

    Single Person with a Single Room $1850

    Couple with Queen Bed
    $2500

    Shared Twin Room (only 1 available) $1600

    Includes 4 nights:

    • accommodations

    • daily breakfasts and 2 group dinners

    • round-trip train transportation London-Norwich,

    • 3 individual spiritual direction sessions

    • pilgrimage preparation and resources

    • spiritual reflections and teachings on Julian of Norwich

  • You have the option of meeting in London or in Norwich on Tuesday, Sept. 28. We will have dinner together that evening in Norwich.

    We will spend 4 nights at All Hallows Guest House. It is part of the Julian Shrine, and is on the same property as the St. Julian’s Church, where Lady Julian’s cell has been reconstructed.

    Tuesday through Saturday, you will have full access to St. Julian’s Church and Lady Julian’s cell for your own personal time of prayer, writing, and reflection. There will be a variety of scheduled times for teachings about Julian’s life and the history of the property given by local experts, group reflection discussion, spiritual direction sessions, and fun outings around Norwich that you are invited (but not obligated) to participate in.

    Our time together will conclude on Saturday, October 2.

    Our guides will be happy to advise you if you’d like to make traveling plans for after the trip…just let us know!

All shall be well, and all shall be well and all manner of thing shall be well.

—Julian of Norwich

The whole purpose of spiritual direction is to penetrate beneath the surface of a person’s life, to get behind the facade of conventional gestures and attitudes which one presents to the world, and to bring out one’s inner spiritual freedom, one’s inmost truth, which is what (Christian’s) call the likeness of Christ in one’s soul.

—Thomas Merton