The amazing 1934 discovery of the "Book of Margery Kempe," (read it here) believed to be the first autobiography written in English, brought to light the author's innermost thoughts and intimate details of her 15th-century life. In its raw honesty, the book's even been compared to Augustine's Confessions.

So, now we know that while some Christian women sought God in the seclusion of convents and private cells, Margery Kempe (1373-1438?) sought Him on pilgrimages to holy places throughout Europe and the Middle East. Often traveling by foot, alone or with other pilgrims, her focus to experience God and His love was sharp and undaunted.

As a young woman, Margery was more devoted to herself than to God, admitting to parading around town in lovely clothes to get men's attention. She married, had 14 children (after which she and her husband took a vow of chastity), and tried being a businesswoman but failed at brewing beer and milling flour. Although she, like most medieval people, practiced her religion, she longed to go deeper. Taking the advice of friends to shun the world, Margery began her spiritual pilgrimage, praying, contemplating the cross, and seeking God's guidance in every decision,

At about age 40, Margery began her pilgrimages to Italy, the Holy Land, the Shrine of St. James at Compostela in Spain, Canterbury, and other holy sites. Despite hunger, illness, threat from robbers and rough seas, she wrote that "the creature" (which she called herself to contrast with the Creator) had "great cheer, both bodily and of the spirit." She ignored her fellow pilgrims' ridicule (they tired of her annoying religious talk, wailing over Christ crucified, refusal to eat meat, and other eccentric habits). Churches locked her out for being too evangelistic and criticized her for taking the Eucharist every Sunday, uncommon for a layperson.

When not on pilgrimage, she lived in Lynn, England, where the hometown clergy gave her the respect often denied her by others. Illiterate, she learned from sermons and was so moved, she'd cry loudly during them. The priests felt that her tears and visions were gifts from God. Perhaps she gained more local respect when her town's church was threatened by fire and she entered it to pray. Sparks fell all about her but she wouldn't budge. Finally, men came to tell her all was well, that God had sent "a fair snow to quench the fire."

Throughout her 60-plus years of life, Margery, like her contemporary, Joan of Arc, heard voices. When challenged, she'd merely respond, "Every good thought is a speech of God."