Prayer-Chats with Julian: The integration of Spirituality, Theology, Ecology in the Life of Julian Tenison Woods
Mary Cresp RSJ
Sisters of Perpatual Adoration, Brisbane, 2010

In this little book, Mary Cresp offers us a valuable and enjoyable way of getting to know a Catholic priest who contributed actively to the development of the Church in 19th century Australia.

Julian Tenison Woods is best known for his involvement in the founding of two Religious Orders for women: the Sisters of St Joseph (with Mary MacKillop, 1866), and the Sisters of Perpetual Adoration (1874). But the focus of the book is on his personal and theological development, and his pastoral work, while attention is also given to the love of nature, which greatly enriched his life.

Julian’s journey to the priesthood was not a straightforward one. Growing up in England, he was attracted to the Passionists, then to the Marists, but both of these attempts were frustrated by troubles with his health. Finally, on a visit to Australia, he was invited by the Bishop of Adelaide to complete his studies for ordination. His ten years as parish priest of Penola (1857-66) were formative for him, but also of great benefit for the different groups in that area: immigrants from Europe and China, together with the aboriginal inhabitants.

For some years after that he went through a period of emotional imbalance, with an undue interest in the paranormal. There were a number of clashes, with bishops, with Mary MacKillop. In 1871 he moved from South Australia, and worked in other states, giving missions and retreats. He died in Sydney in 1889.

Sr Mary Cresp has been Congregational Leader for the Sisters of St. Joseph, 1990-96. In 2006 she was appointed Canonical Congregational Leader of the Sisters of Perpetual Adoration.

An appealing section comes in Chats Eight to Ten, presenting Julian’s lifelong interest in the study of nature. This had begun in England and France, and continued in Australia: in the caves at Naracoorte with their fossil remains, and afterwards on the Great Barrier Reef. Sensitivity to the beauty of nature became a vital part of his spirituality, fostering a sense of mystery, wonder, awe.

It led him to the study of what we would now call ecology. He wrote of

“the complex of inter-relations which exist between plants themselves and between plants and environmental factors such as climate, topography and soil”.

He was a pioneer in advocating for the Tasmanian forests.

He did extensive geological work around Penola, and was asked to investigate the natural resources in several parts of Australia, by way of assignments from the governments in New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory. In the 1880’s he worked in several East Asian countries and in India.

Each chat has two parts: one in the form of a conversation with Julian, the other as suggestions for free prayer.

Julian’s share of the conversation is made up largely of quotes from his writings, and paraphrases of his ideas. A substantial source for his side of the chats is found in the manuscript archives, “Instructions to the Sisters of Perpetual Adoration” (indicated in footnotes by the abbreviation ‘RPA’ followed by a reference number).

The prayer sections invite the reader to sit in imagination with Julian; they suggest themes that could be explored prayerfully at some depth.

The devotion to the Sacred Heart became a vital aspect of Julian’s spirituality, starting from the time he spent in France. But for him, this devotion must have a very practical outcome:

“you will be known as his own children, distinguished by love for one another that comes from viewing all things through the Sacred Heart.”

On the theology of the Eucharist, the author brings out the literalist style, typical of the time, of Julian’s devotion to the Sacrament. He used phrases like “The Prisoner of the Tabernacle”. Such expressions are set beside present-day theology of the Eucharist.

Scripture was a spiritual source in Julian’s theology, to an extent that seems to place him ahead of his time. He wrote:

“the Bible is the familiar and intimate possession of all.”
“All Christians… may read its holy pages… carry them everywhere as a lamp to their feet… as a familiar rule of life, on their heart as an indelible imprint.”

There was plenty of suffering in his life: he grasped in a personal way the Theology of the Cross. Chat Sixteen draws on the times in his life when this was felt most keenly, especially the pain of being replaced as Director of the Josephite Sisters, and resentment at his treatment by the bishops.

Julian’s spiritual journey was a rich one: the book traces his spiritual and emotional growth. The journey had its difficult and tortuous passages. But he emerged from these crises with the maturity to accept his need for help, and to continue growing in his relationship with men and women in his life, in his relationship with the Sacred Heart, with his God.

Ken Howells SJ