St John of the Cross

St John of the Cross

“Divine providence gave St Teresa St John of the Cross as an associate, and led him to share in her spirit... 
They recorded their doctrine and experience and shared them through their writings which speak especially about deepest communion with God and the way that leads there.”       

Constitutions 9

St John of the Cross

“Divine providence gave St Teresa St John of the Cross as an associate, and led him to share in her spirit... 
They recorded their doctrine and experience and shared them through their writings which speak especially about deepest communion with God and the way that leads there.”       

Constitutions 9

One in spirit

When St Teresa, aged 52, met Fr John, a young Carmelite friar, aged 25, she recognised in him a kindred spirit. Indeed he was to be instrumental in assisting Teresa in founding the Carmelite Friars of the Reform.  John’s life was not easy as from his earliest years his family endured great poverty. His wealthy aristocratic father had been totally disinherited for marrying a poor weaver. Consequently, John experienced first-hand the cost of giving up everything for love and he chose to focus his whole life on loving God. This led him to the depths of suffering and the heights of holiness.  John's spirituality is rigorous in its simplicity, which has earned him a rather austere, forbidding reputation.  However, nothing could be further from the truth.  John’s works are full of wisdom, understanding and compassion.  He is a sure guide for all who seek God seriously, be they beginners on the path or further along the way. 

One in spirit

When St Teresa, aged 52, met Fr John, a young Carmelite friar, aged 25, she recognised in him a kindred spirit. Indeed he was to be instrumental in assisting Teresa in founding the Carmelite Friars of the Reform.  John’s life was not easy as from his earliest years his family endured great poverty. His wealthy aristocratic father had been totally disinherited for marrying a poor weaver. Consequently, John experienced first-hand the cost of giving up everything for love and he chose to focus his whole life on loving God. This led him to the depths of suffering and the heights of holiness.  John's spirituality is rigorous in its simplicity, which has earned him a rather austere, forbidding reputation.  However, nothing could be further from the truth.  John’s works are full of wisdom, understanding and compassion.  He is a sure guide for all who seek God seriously, be they beginners on the path or further along the way. 
"It is best to learn to silence the faculties and to cause them to be still so that God may speak."
“At the evening of life we will be judged on love.”
“It is great wisdom to know how to be silent and to look at neither the remarks nor the deeds, nor the lives of others..”

The works of St John of the Cross

John’s major works, The Ascent of Mount Carmel, The Dark Night of the Soul, The Spiritual Canticle and Living Flame of Love, are all commentaries on his poems of the same titles. Influenced by The Song of Songs John uses the language of human love to express Divine love. His poetry is considered among the finest in the Spanish language, expressing the inexpressible: he takes ordinary language beyond itself. Paradoxically, his prose explains profound spiritual concepts in ways that everyone can understand. The aims of John’s writings are:

To help others to love and glorify God.
To lead others out of their pain and the misery of a sinful world.
Transforming union.
Transformation into Christ.

After a period of terrible physical and spiritual suffering, John died on 14th December 1592. He was canonised in 1726 and proclaimed a Doctor of the Church in 1926. His feast day is 14th December.
"Where there is no love, put love - and you will find love."
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