St. John of the Cross was a major figure of the Counter-Reformation in 16th century Spain. He was a Spanish mystic, Catholic saint, Carmelite friar and priest, born Juan de Yepes y Álvarez in 1542 in Fontiveros, Spain. John became a Carmelite friar at age 21, and was ordained a priest in 1567. He met Teresa of Ávila in 1567, and the two spearheaded the reform of the Carmelite order. John and Teresa founded the Discalced Carmelites for friars and nuns who wished to adopt a more austere and contemplative lifestyle. This reform met with much resistance within the Carmelite order. John was imprisoned in Toledo from late 1577 to August 1578, escaping in the dead of night. During his imprisonment, he composed a large part of his most famous poetic works.
John is known for his mystical theology and poetry, which expressed his experiences during contemplative prayer. His major works include Spiritual Canticle, Dark Night of the Soul, and Ascent of Mount Carmel. His writings synthesize Neoplatonic thought, Christianity, and personal experience. He used an educational method of diction, spatial metaphors, and vivid sensory images to express difficult theological concepts. His poetry uses symbols from nature to depict the soul’s mystical union with God.
John taught that the path to union with God requires walking the road of the renunciation of the self, in detachment from the world of the senses. This process involves purifying the soul of its wrong attachments, and spiritual battles against sources of temptation. John described this journey as the “dark night of the soul.” After undergoing trials and deprivation, the soul experiences enlightenment and bliss in divine union. For John, the dark night is painful, but necessary to revealtruth and achieve spiritual liberation. Through detachment, meditation, and sensory deprivation, divine light purges and transforms the soul.
John was declared a Doctor of the Church in 1926 for his mystical writings and contributions to theology. He remains highly influential in spirituality. John of the Cross is the patron saint of mystics, contemplatives, Spanish poets, and those persecuted for their faith. His memorial is November 24. He was canonized in 1726, and recognized for his wisdom and insights into the human soul and its yearning for God.
Some key Bible passages about John of the Cross:
– John 15:5 – “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” This depicts the need to abide in Christ to be spiritually fruitful.
– Romans 8:35, 37 – “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?…No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” John endured persecution but was victorious through Christ.
– 2 Corinthians 12:9 – “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” Christ’s power shines in human weakness and infirmity.
– Philippians 3:8 – “Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.” Knowledge of Christ surpasses all things; all else is rubbish by comparison.
– 1 Peter 4:12-13 – “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.” Suffering tests and refines faith.
– Galatians 2:20 – “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” John strove to let Christ live through him fully.
St. John of the Cross embraced suffering out of devotion to Christ. He willingly underwent deprivation and difficulties in order to achieve mystical union with God. His writings and teachings emphasize emptying the self to be filled with the Creator’s light and love. For John, no cost was too high to reach the ultimate prize of communion with the divine.
John renounced material comforts, reputation, success, and even his own will in order to draw closer to God. His life and works model single-minded pursuit of spiritual intimacy with Christ. At the core of John’s teaching is detachment from all that hinders one’s connection to the Creator. He instructs those following Christ to courageously walk through their own “dark night of the soul,” assured that joy awaits on the other side.
St. John of the Cross demonstrates that dying to self is the gateway to true life in God. His mystical theology unpacks the deep truths that our human frailties, if surrendered, become vessels to hold immense blessings from above. Empty hands lifted up receive the fullness of the Lord. John gave his all to God and in return received divine union beyond measure. His life is a testament to the rich rewards of following Christ with radical devotion.