Julian Meetings

The Julian Meetings are designed to help participants grow in the practice of contemplative prayer in the Christian tradition.

Members of the Julian Group meet on a regular basis weekly or monthly in a church, house or chapel. The meeting starts with a short piece of meditative music, a reading as a lead into about half an hour of silent prayer. A lighted candle can be used or a picture to focus on. No one method of meditation is taught – participants are encouraged to find what is right for them. The Julian Meetings are ecumenical and anyone is welcome to join.

There is no membership fee. A magazine is published three times a year, which contains articles on prayer and related subjects, and news about groups, retreats and other events.

Origins of the Julian Meetings

At the beginning of the last century there was a reappearance of what at the time was generally called mysticism. Then in the 1960’s and 1970’s there was a great wave of interest in eastern forms of mysticism and meditation. Many came to realise that the root of this turning Eastwards was the Church’s failure to teach ordinary people the practice of contemplative prayer.

It began in 1973 with a letter in British church papers of various denominations, which lead to the formation that year of eleven groups. Now there are over 300 groups in the British Isles and a growing number in other countries. The movement was eventually named after the 14th century mystic, Julian of Norwich, because it accords with her precept that, while it is right and proper to make requests of God, nevertheless the highest form of prayer consists in simply waiting on Him.

The purpose of the movement was defined as ‘fostering the practice and teaching of contemplative prayer within the Christian religion’.

For more information, please contact Susan van Der Plas: