About the Julian Meetings and Julian Prayer Groups

Meeting In Silence With God

Contemplative prayer has been part of Christianity from the beginning. Jesus spent whole nights alone in prayer. The Desert Fathers and our own Celtic hermits sought places to be alone with God. But for some centuries Christian churches neglected this most basic form of Prayer – it became usual only in monastic communities.

The Julian Meetings (JM) began in 1973 following a letter in English church papers from our founder. Eleven areas set up contemplative prayer groups, which grew into the network of about 150 meetings that exists today.  Hilary Wakeman wrote about the beginnings of the Julian Meetings in the Preface to the Book ‘Circles of Silence’ Listen Here Read Here. Our aim remains unchanged since then – to foster the practice and teaching of contemplative prayer within the Christian tradition, and to welcome those of all faiths and none.  With many people now conscious of their need for spiritual growth, we seek to make a Christian contribution.

Why Julian? The movement was named after Julian of Norwich, a fourteenth century mystic. Her inspired writings are sometimes used at meetings but JM is not here to promote Julian, nor are we associated with other organisations bearing her name.

If we feel we need to learn how to be still with God, or we are looking for help in our current practice, JM exists to help us find that support.  Belonging to a group of people who meet regularly to pray in silence can help and encourage us. We do not feel isolated; prayerful silence is helped when two or three are together

Robin Stapleford, Rector of the Upper Wensum group of parishes talks about The Julian Meetings. He has also published a book, an anthology of devotions based on Jesus’ teachings and sayings. “Christ for a New Age” by RDS. A very useful resource for lead ins to the silence in a meeting or in personal contemplative prayer.

Hilary Wakeman’s Keynote Address to our 50th Anniversary National Gathering in June 2023