Blessed Julian of Norwich, 1342–c.1430

May 13

Julian lived in a town in England called Norwich. She loved to pray. She prayed by talking to God like she talked to her mother or father. Julian said that the whole world was like a little nut in God’s hand. When we pray, we don’t have to worry because God will always take care of us. Even when we are unhappy, God watches over us. Julian said that we should ask God for help in all we do.

Julian may have been a Benedictine nun. Once when she was very ill, she was granted a series of revelations of Jesus’ suffering, which she wrote about after she recovered from her illness. Her book was the first to be written in English by a woman. It was called Revelations of Divine Love. Julian believed God was full of love and compassion, and not an angry God. She is considered one of the most influential writers of England.

Discuss: How does God care for you?

Activity
He’s Got the Whole World
Visual/Spatial; Musical

Explain to the child that Blessed Julian described the world in God’s hand as a little nut.

• Provide a walnut for the child.
• Show the child a globe and explain that it is a representation of what the world looks like.
• Tell them that their walnut represents the whole world. Have them hold their walnut as you sing together:

He’s got the whole world
In his hands.
He’s got the whole wide world
In his hands.
He’s got the whole world
In his hands.
He’s got the whole world
In his hands.