Voute Hall, the dorm I stayed in
Continuing my Boston College experience, our class went on to study Julian of Norwich. A 12th century figure, Julian gave images of hidden things and expressed the inexpressible through language. In the book, Julian of Norwich, we read what can be classified as “revelatory texts” rather than “illuminating text.” Often referred to as a mystic, Julian tells about her 16 visions and because truth can’t be pinned down, her prose meanders. Personally, I had to laugh because it reminded me of Mary Baker Eddy’s writing which can also meander.
Within two class period however, we broke down and analyzed Julian’s thoughts and came up with insightful facts. Julian glimpsed the nothingness of sin. She was optimistic and encouraged readers not to be obsessed with sin. Don’t live your life in a sense of failure. Contrary to the desert fathers who seemed depressed all the time.
By time the 12th century rolled around, the Catholic Church had grown some fairly straggly and bushy church creeds. A couple of Popes were fighting for the throne. Julian ran counterculture to the church, but yet didn’t condemn the church. She knew her visions came from God, not hierarchy in a church.
Her imagery of God highlighted the characteristics of: Father, mother, powerful, loving, courteous, willing, forgiving, devoted, and all-aware. She brings out a dynamic, rather than structural concept of God and church.
Next is my weekend venture.
Tagged: boston college, catholic nun, Christian Science, mystic, mysticism, voute dorm
Healing Science Today 
[…] The second series brings in a mystic. […]
[…] By time the weekend rolled around, I’d heard that Leah and Anthony were coming visit me the next Tuesday. I was delighted and invigorated to get all my reading done, as well as start on the 10 page paper that was due at the end of class. But I also wanted to go to the Science Museum in Boston. Needless to say I didn’t sleep much. […]