Laure
Marie Laure
Marie Laure
Second in Serendipity Series
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Return From Exile:
Revelations from an Anchoress in St. Augustine (2023)
A true story of two women speaking from self-imposed exile. Separated by seven centuries and an ocean, their stories intersect when Marie Laure makes a solo pilgrimage. She wants to understand why Julian of Norwich lived from age fifty in a cell, an anchorage, attached to a church during the Black Death plague. Her own so-called anchorage is a river porch attached to a Florida townhouse. How had she ended up in quasi-exile? Trying to make sense of it, she writes, just as Julian wrote to understand what had happened in a near-death experience.
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Return from Exile tells the story of two women several centuries apart whose journeys are remarkably similar. . . . This story is one worth savoring, not only for its beautiful language, but for the significance of finding healing in a journey begun not in search of healing but driven by the call to search. Exile yourself for a bit and walk with Marie Laure and Julian on the road to healing.
Owene W. Courtney, Director of Formation and Spirituality,
St. John's Cathedral, Jacksonville, Florida
Praise & Reviews
This is a beautiful book that traces a woman's journey to 'heal her heart.' In connecting with her own story--including deep loss, pilgrimage, exile, and return--the author also delves into the life of the female mystic Julian of Norwich. She seeks self-discovery and renewal and offers in turn inspiration to the reader.
Claire Wolfteich, PhD, Boston University School of Theology
Readers and seekers who have recently lived through an externally demanded isolation will find a deeper and more soul-satisfying pause in Laure's story of self-imposed exile. . . . Readers will find in Return from Exile an expansion of understanding of Julian's 'showings' and an inspiring story of one woman's interior exile during a life's pilgrimage. Both will resonate with all who welcome an awareness of living in Spirit.
Ann Browning Masters, PhD, author of Floridanos, Menorcans, Cattle-Whip Crackers: Poetry of St. Augustine
Julian of Norwich lived out her life in a small anchorage, a room attached to St. Julian’s Church in the heart of Norwich, now a UNESCO City of Literature.
The pilgrimage will coincide with Julian’s Feast Day, May 8.
We will stay next door to the anchorage at the newly refurbished, All Hallows Guest House. Breakfast is included.
What you can expect:
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Daily Mass in the Anchorage.
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Julian presentations by Friends of Julian plus keynote speaker.
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Time for writing and sharing reflections daily.
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Day trip to the British Library to see the 16th century manuscripts.
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Attend Evensong in Norwich Cathedral.
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Tour of Norwich Cathedral Library.
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Visit University of East Anglia Sainsbury Center of Art.
​​Pilgrimage to England 2026
Writing with Julian
of Norwich
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Medieval Mystic and first woman to write a book in English.
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Julian wrote to sort out her own truth which came to her in visions in a near-death experience during the Black Death. Her story of hope and love is celebrated on her Feast Day, May 8.
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Pilgrimage begins on May 7
for Women only.
Two rooms remaining!
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​​​​ Charlene Marie Laure Vincent
Pilgrim Sisters 2025
Writer in Residence October 2024
2023
About Marie Laure
Marie Laure leads spiritual autobiography seminars and retreats. She is the author of Chances Are... (2016), the first book in her Serendipity Series. She co-authored Tuscan Retreat (2013), with Lance Carden. She holds master's degrees in theology from Episcopal Divinity School and Boston University School of Theology.