...Not that I would have cared to live in the Middle Ages - any age before penicillin, indoor plumbing, and readily available books would have been unsuited to me. But I believe that one (even as eclectic as I) can be very deeply religious, but still free, seeing God in all,and loving and enjoying every part of life.

Some years back, the title "When Things Were Rotten" was applied to a spoof of the medieval period. If one considers such gems as the Plague, disease,corruption within the government and eccleisiastical hierarchy, and so forth, that tag is quite apt!  Nonetheless, medieval man, though just as"weak" as those who preceded and followed him, had a deep consciousness of God. The awareness of the divine which he displayed ranged from the inspirational - to the superstitious - to the charming. The last mentioned is seen in how the Gospels were "amplified" by the common folks' passing along knowledge of many a homely incident from the lives of the Holy Family.

This site is unashamedly and frankly idealistic, even if, in other areas, its author tends to cynicism. I have selected the best and most positive aspects of medieval thought, as a celebration of the loving awareness of God and the delightful, earthy humour that enchants me. I am well aware that the apocrypha were as often used to manipulate as to edify, that the astrologers frequently were the sort of con merchants described by Chaucer rather than those in awe of divine power, and so forth. Yet reality must not be restricted to the "practical" and the sober. The other side of the medieval coin - imagination, awareness of God, delightfully earthy humour- is the realm where the unicorn romped and the gryphon guarded the cathedral.

Francis of Assisi, who saw the virtues as the lords and ladies of his great King's household, was a true gentleman, with an earthy side. He exhorted his first friars to always emphasise the positive, rather than reducing what should be the joys of worship to the drudgery of negativity or fear.

In Francis's day, when the Church was in turbulent years and its hierarchy often fell short of Christian goals, it was common for preachers to condemn heresy and other errors. This approach did not appeal to Francis, who believed that stressing the nobility of virtue and true love would win the hearts of others, that they may know the "Great King" who delighted his own heart.

Franciswas no "plaster saint"!  His courtliness of thought did not cancel his earthy nature. He once told a friar, who was troubled by diabolical temptations, to say to the devil, "Open your mouth and I will..."...Let's just say that the pious Luke Wadding, one of Francis's devoted, English biographers, changed this Italian phrase to "one only has to say dung to him."

Francis's writings could fill a volume, but this sample can give you a picture of the heart of the wealthy, extravagant youth whose first great stride was in embracing theleper:

"Almighty, eternal, just and merciful God, grant us..that we may do for your sake alone what weknow you want us to do, and always want what pleases you; so that, cleansed and enlightened interiorly and fired with the ardour of the Holy Spirit,we may be able to follow in the footsteps of your Son...and so make ourway to you, Most High, by your grace alone.."

Too many of us forget to enjoy today - it seems that all that matters is work, exercising, work, night classes, work, saving money, and sacrificing  some pleasure each week. (And did I mention work?) I believe we are here to enjoy.

I have often had the joy of visiting the shrine of Julian of Norwich, an anchorite who described God's providence in terms of great love. Julian, as a recluse, depended upon others for sustenance. Mankind was no more saintly then than now, but the medieval awareness o fgreater powers than (ahem!) "getting out of life what you put into it" led others to grasp that Julian fulfilled two very importantroles - that few would understand today. She worshipped God for His own sake, and returned Divine Love both through this action and that of dedicating herself to praying for others. Today, Julian's life would probably be seenas "selfish", since we cannot see that divine love sparks our desire for its Source. (We'd probably think Julian had self-hatred that lead her to be enclosed - God help us!) Few are suited to enclosure, yet all can realise that our brief time on earth is only a preparation for the next life, when we will be united to Perfect Love and Joy. Those whom Divine Providence has ordained should live a totally contemplative life do not flee from the world, but rather embrace it totally, in love.

Here are a few words from Julian's writings: