The Book of Margery Kempe offers a vivid self-portrait of a remarkable religious seeker from fourteenth-century England. Margery was the wife of a beer brewer, with whom she bore fourteen children. Upon receiving a vision of the merriment in heaven, she underwent a deep conversion, renouncing her previous worldly interests. Afterward she dedicated herself to a life of prayer, penance, and service of God. She also committed herself to celibacy, unfortunately a commitment not shared by her husband. This was a source of ongoing marital discord that lasted many years and through the birth of many more children.  

Margery wandered widely in England, visiting shrines and seeking audiences with spiritual guides, including Julian of Norwich. She was conspicuous for her “gift of tears,” weeping loudly throughout the day, especially in church or anywhere that reminded her of the sufferings of Christ. Her “gift” inspired wonder but also much ridicule and contempt.  

At forty she undertook a pilgrimage all the way to the Holy Land. Her fellow pilgrims quickly tired of her incessant weeping and tried to lose her along the way. But she completed the journey and returned with vivid descriptions of the settings of Christ’s life and passion. Among the clergy there were those who recognized the genuineness of her vocation, including willing scribes who transcribed her autobiography. Lost for centuries, her manuscript was rediscovered in 1934. She is venerated in the Church of England on this date.  

“And this creature wept and sobbed as plenteously as though she had seen the Lord with her bodily eyes suffering His Passion at that time.” —Margery Kempe