St. John of the Cross

St. John of the Cross was a sixteenth century mystic and poet who worked with St. Teresa of Avila to reform the Carmelite order. He is known for his many writings, especially his poetry, and is a Doctor of the Church.

Shortly after his ordination to the priesthood in 1567, he met St. Teresa of Avila, a Carmelite nun. She was seeking to reform the order, which had relaxed it’s practices. John joined her in this effort.

In 1568, he established a monastery where the stricter rules would be followed. At this time, he took the name “John of the Cross”. A few years later, he had a vision of Christ on the cross, as if seen from above. He made a sketch of the image and it was kept in a monstrance.

While the representative of the pope in Spain favored the reforms of John and Teresa, the superiors of the Carmelite order did not. The superiors ordered John to leave Avila, which meant an end to his reform work. He refused.

in 1577, a group of Carmelites who opposed the reform broke into John’s house and took him before a court of friars. He was found guilty of disobedience. He was beaten and imprisoned in a tiny cell.

While in prison, he wrote beautiful poetry, much of it describing the soul as the bride of Jesus Christ. The poem The Dark Night, describes how the soul journeys from the body to union with God.

He escaped the prison in 1578. Though his health had suffered greatly during his confinement, he continued his efforts at reform. Eventually Pope Gregory decreed that a separate order of Carmelites, called the Discalced Carmelites, which followed the reformed rules could be formed.

St. John of the Cross became ill in 1591 and died on December 14 of that year.

Patron Saint of …

St. John of the Cross is the patron saint of contemplatives, mystics, and Spanish poets.

Mass Readings for the Memorial of Saint John of the Cross, Priest and Doctor of the Church

• First Reading – 1 Corinthians 2:1-10ar 4:7b-11: “When I came to you, brothers and sisters, proclaiming the mystery of God, I did not come with sublimity of words or of wisdom. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified.”
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 37: “The mouth of the just murmurs wisdom.”
• Gospel – Luke 14:25-33: “Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.”