On the Thursday, St. Julian’s Church was the prayerful rallying point for Norwich East Deanery’s Pilgrimage to the Cathedral, led by Bishop Alan, the Bishop of Thetford. Meditations and readings from Julian were led in St. Catherine’s Chapel.
At the Julian Meetings on the Friday, times of quiet prayer and meditation throughout the country were enlightened by talks given by Canon Hilary Wakeman, a founder of the Meetings, and by Revd Robin Stapleford, who spoke on ‘Julian Touching our Lives’. Later that day, screenings were given of two documentaries on Julian’s revelations surviving through 600 years of turbulent history.
A new book ‘St. Julian’s Church’ by Sheila Upjohn and Nicholas Groves and available at the Julian Centre was also launched by Prof Brian Thorne. This book uncovers one thousand years of history, theology and the spiritual life. It highlights the key role of the Community of All Hallows in the rebuilding of the Church and Shrine after the bombing in the Second World War.
The opportunity to attend All Hallows Convent at Ditchingham was enjoyed by those close to the Community and visitors from across the world on the Saturday. It was a celebration of their 164 years of service and their future as they disperse to smaller settings.
After the AGM of the Friends of Julian of Norwich on the Sunday, the 38th Annual Julian Lecture was given by Sally-Anne Lomas; producer and director of the award-winning BBC4 documentary ‘Julian of Norwich; the Search for the Lost Manuscript’. Her journey from the original idea to the making of it was a ride of joy for her audience.
After tea and cakes, Sr. Pamela CAH gave a talk about her closeness to Julian over 30 years of knowing the medieval mystic and living next to the Shrine in the guesthouse she ran for visitors and pilgrims.
The Festival ended with Reflective Evening Prayer in St. Julian’s Church.