Book Review: The Spiritual Vision of Wendy Becket – living in the heaven of God’s presence’ by Michelle Jones
Sister Wendy Beckett was a Catholic nun who became famous for her BBC TV documentaries on the history of art during the 1990s. In this spiritually nourishing book, Australian theologian Michelle Jones explores Sister Wendy’s rich theology and spirituality.
Jones draws on a wide range of writings by Sister Wendy and others (including unpublished correspondence) and interviews. This extensive research is brought together in six comprehensive chapters which follow an introductory biography. The third chapter bears the subtitle of the book: ‘Living in the heaven of God’s presence’. This is a key takeaway: Sister Wendy was deeply conscious of God pervading her whole life from an early age. She recorded later how she was just four years old when, sitting under the table at home after Mass one Sunday, ‘suddenly, I became overwhelmed by the reality of God – the greatness and the power and the love and my own infinite smallness. And I knew that I was held in that greatness and protected and I would never ever have to feel anxious.’
Jones reverts to this remarkable experience frequently throughout the book. It proved a seminal moment which profoundly informed Sister Wendy’s spiritual insight, especially that all of life, including suffering and pain, is encompassed by God. This is strongly reminiscent of Julian of Norwich, and it’s no surprise to discover she was an important influence on Sister Wendy.
I enjoyed the wide-ranging sources used to illuminate Sister Wendy’s thinking. There is much to treasure, and I found many passages to return to after a first reading: I generally eschew turning over page corners, but did so many times for ease of future reference. I wholeheartedly recommend ‘The Spiritual Vision of Wendy Becket’ as a rich spiritual resource which shines light on an extraordinary recent mystic.
Book review text © Gillian Poucher, author of The Julia Butler Series and ‘Vision of Light’. Picture © SPCK
Elizabeth Mills, a regular contributor to these pages, sent in the following. Please send in your contributions too.
Come Quietly
Come quietly
to the door
Knock gently
and wait
Leave behind
your worries
Lay them
gently down
The door opens
and you are welcomed
Come inside
and rest awhile
Feel the Peace
within
and let it fill
your heart
This day and every day
Amen
© Elizabeth Mills 4th November 2026
The Magazine of December 2012, without explanation, but in a high visibility box, said:
Silent is an Anagram of Listen.
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