Saint John of the Cross
Spanish Carmelite friar and poet, reforming companion of Teresa of Ávila.
- Rank
- Saint
- Kind
- Mystic, Doctor of the Church, Religious
- Life
- 1542 – 1591
- Era
- 16th century
- Feast
- 14 December
- Countries
- Spain
Life story
John de Yepes Álvarez was born in 1542 at Fontiveros, near Ávila, Spain. His father died early and the family lived in poverty. He worked in a hospital in Medina del Campo and studied at a Jesuit school. In 1563 he entered the Carmelite order and later studied at Salamanca. As a young man he was reportedly drawn to a more contemplative life and considered joining the Carthusians before meeting Teresa.
In 1567 he met Teresa of Ávila, who invited him to join her reform of the men's branch of the order. In 1568, with a few companions, he began the first Discalced Carmelite community for men at Duruelo and took the name John of the Cross. In the following years he worked as teacher, spiritual director and superior in several places. The new communities lived in poverty and with long periods of silence and prayer.
In December 1577 some Carmelites of the older observance seized him and held him in Toledo for about nine months in harsh conditions. According to tradition, much of the Spiritual Canticle was composed during that time. In August 1578 he escaped. His main works are the Ascent of Mount Carmel, the Dark Night, the Spiritual Canticle and the Living Flame of Love; most are poems accompanied by prose commentaries.
He died at Úbeda on 14 December 1591 after a serious illness and disputes within the order. He was canonised in 1726 and declared a Doctor of the Church by Pius XI in 1926. His poems are today counted among the finest of Spanish literature of the sixteenth century.
Works and witness
- Began the first Discalced Carmelite community for men at Duruelo in 1568.
- Was imprisoned in Toledo from late 1577 until August 1578.
- Wrote the Ascent of Mount Carmel, the Dark Night, the Spiritual Canticle and the Living Flame of Love.
- Was declared a Doctor of the Church in 1926.
Saints from the same country
References
- Ascent of Mount Carmel
- Spiritual Canticle
- Martyrologium Romanum
Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.