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Spiritual Vision

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Jones draws on a wide range of writings by Sister Wendy and others (including unpublished correspondence) and interviews.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.

Please explore our web site https://thejulianmeetings.net/ for even more inspiration.

At the recent zoom discussion, we recognised that there are on line meetings, in person groups, and groups that use both methods simultaneously. There was also mention that some groups send an email, text or letter to those who cannot attend in person. This contains the material for the meeting which can then be used at the regular meeting time or at any time the individual finds suitable. Between us, we could probably post blogs providing such material for wider use. Please boldly send your contributions. They might be helpful to someone, somewhere.

The Julian Meetings support in-person and online groups around the country. We make teaching on Contemplative Prayer and Meditation as easily and widely accessible as we can. Articles and reviews express the views only of their respective authors.

Please send your comments or contributions for publication on the blog to https://thejulianmeetings.net/contact-for-blog/

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Together in silence: reflections from our Open Council Meeting October 2026

On Saturday 10 October, Julian Meetings held an Open Council gathering on Zoom. It was encouraging to hear from people involved in groups across the country, each with their own experiences of contemplative prayer. Our thanks to everyone who joined the meeting and to the nine people who sent written reflections beforehand.

After introductions, we shared ten minutes of silence. It was a fitting beginning to an open conversation about what our meetings mean to us and how the Julian Meetings network might continue to support them.

What sustains our meetings

A consistent theme emerged from the reports and discussion: alongside the opportunity to pray in silence, people value the welcome, friendship and sense of belonging that grow within a group. Some meetings have continued for decades; others are relatively new. Whether a group consists of a handful of people or somewhat more, its simple, shared practice matters.

The variety of arrangements was striking. Some people meet in churches or homes, some join by Zoom, and others keep silence at an agreed time while remaining in touch through WhatsApp or email. Online groups can now welcome people living far from their original meeting place, including those who cannot easily travel. At the same time, the value of face-to-face fellowship was warmly affirmed.

Challenges, welcome and continuity

Participants spoke openly about small or changing numbers, the loss of longstanding members, difficulties finding people willing to lead, and meeting times that do not suit everyone. There were different views about how best to welcome younger or working-age people, but a shared interest in helping others discover contemplative prayer and in supporting groups to continue.

We also heard how ordinary personal invitations, good local relationships and flexible arrangements can make a difference. There is no single format that will suit every group.

Helping people find a meeting

There was lively discussion about how people find and access Julian Meetings. While some participants reported difficulties locating meetings or information online, it became apparent that several of the facilities being suggested already exist. The website includes a meeting finder identifying in-person, online and hybrid meetings, and Julian Meetings maintains an established presence on social media, including Facebook. In some instances, difficulties arose from unfamiliarity with these resources or searching under an incorrect name, rather than an absence of information. Nevertheless, the discussion highlighted opportunities to make existing information more visible and accessible, including clearer signposting of online meetings, a possible calendar organised by day and time, and greater use of church networks and personal recommendations.

The writings and example of Julian of Norwich were also discussed. However, an important distinction was made between the organisation’s name and its purpose. Hilary Wakeman established Julian Meetings to encourage and support the practice of Christian contemplative prayer, rather than to promote the study or teachings of Julian of Norwich specifically. Although her name provides a historical and spiritual association, the organisation is not a Julian of Norwich study society, nor does participation require any particular interest in her writings. Individual groups may choose to draw on her example, but the central purpose remains the encouragement and shared practice of Christian contemplative prayer.

Looking ahead

Ian Bailey gave a brief financial update and thanked those whose donations support Julian Meetings. Participants also considered the possibilities of further Open Council conversations and regional or online gatherings. These were suggestions for consideration, rather than decisions taken at the meeting.

The Admin Group will reflect on the contributions and consider what practical steps may be possible. In the meantime, thank you again for the openness, kindness and thoughtful participation shown during the afternoon — and to all those who quietly sustain Julian Meetings throughout the year.

© Ian Beers and Admin Group.

Some people wrote about their groups, but asked that they not be identifiable if the report were published. I intend to publish anonymised contributions in a future blog.

©Blog Editor.

The Julian Meetings support in-person and online groups around the country. We make teaching on Contemplative Prayer and Meditation as easily and widely accessible as we can. Articles and reviews express the views only of their respective authors.

Please send your contributions for publication on the blog to https://thejulianmeetings.net/contact-for-blog/

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New Magazine Index: Easily Find Articles & Topics

We have launched an index to our magazine library 2001-2024.  The magazines have been available to read for a while.  Recently we added 2001-2010.  But it was difficult to identify or find an author, contributor, topic or article.  Not everyone wants to read a random whole magazine .

Thanks to the valiant efforts of one of our members we now have an complete index to the entire content of our archive, plus selections highlighting various categories.

See our new Library page.  Here you will find links to the various selections plus the entire index comprising over 1,500 entries. It is easy to find, and access the original texts and articles online.

The selections are:

Contemplative Prayer, Julian of Norwich, The Spiritual Journey, Modern Contemplatives, JM Online and Outside the UK, Various Ways of Praying,  Arts and Crafts, The Human Condition, Poems, Devotional Resources, Quotations

 We are in the process of creating links to take you directly to the text or to the original magazine in our archive. This is a manual process so is taking time. But all the information is there for you to easily find and read any entry. You can find the original magazine in our magazine archive.

Image generated with AI

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Easter Greetings

Blessings to all our readers as we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord. Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant churches all celebrate Easter this weekend as the calendars align. Except possibly the Ethiopian Orthodox Church as that is too complicated for me to work out.

An Easter message from the JM National Council:

The Julian Meetings works to support the one-hundred-and-forty local meetings across the UK in which anyone and everyone can share in the experience of silent prayer in the company of others.

JM also seeks to promote and publicise this ancient and essential strand of the Christian tradition through our website, social media, and simple and accessible publications.

The organisation is run by a small group of volunteers, with no paid staff.  We keep expenses to a minimum.  There are, however, costs in equipment, postage and other essentials.

JM is seeking to increase its individual membership. Members are able to participate in the discussions on the future work and development of JM and get advance notice of books recently published and available to review.   Usually the only regular communication that members receive is a monthly update about what has been added to the website.  A discretionary donation is requested.

If you are able either to become a member, or would prefer just to make a donation, we would be very grateful.  Your support will give us confidence, as a small core group of volunteers, that The Julian Meetings can continue its work into the future.  We believe that silent contemplation with God is a foundation of our Christian belief.  Sadly, the world has never needed this more.

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Photo – Greek Orthodox Easter Church decorations from Greek Gateway Facebook page