St. John of the Cross
Born: 1542
Born in Spain in 1542, John learned the importance of self-sacrificing love from his parents. His father gave up wealth, status, and comfort when he married a weaver's daughter and was disowned by his noble family. After his father died, his mother kept the destitute family together as they wandered homeless in search of work. These were the examples of sacrifice that John followed with his own great love -- God.
When the family finally found work, John still went hungry in the middle of the wealthiest city in Spain. At fourteen, John took a job caring for hospital patients who suffered from incurable diseases and madness. It was out of this poverty and suffering, that John learned to search for beauty and happiness not in the world, but in God.
After John joined the Carmelite order, Saint Teresa of Avila asked him to help her reform movement. John supported her belief that the order should return to its life of prayer. But many Carmelites felt threatened by this reform, and some members of John's own order kidnapped him. He was locked in a cell six feet by ten feet and beaten three times a week by the monks. There was only one tiny window high up near the ceiling. Yet in that unbearable dark, cold, and desolation, his love and faith were like fire and light. He had nothing left but God -- and God brought John his greatest joys in that tiny cell.
After nine months, John escaped by unscrewing the lock on his door and creeping past the guard. Taking only the mystical poetry he had written in his cell, he climbed out a window using a rope made of stirps of blankets. With no idea where he was, he followed a dog to civilization. He hid from pursuers in a convent infirmary where he read his poetry to the nuns. From then on his life was devoted to sharing and explaining his experience of God's love.
His life of poverty and persecution could have produced a bitter cynic. Instead it gave birth to a compassionate mystic, who lived by the beliefs that "Who has ever seen people persuaded to love God by harshness?" and "Where there is no love, put love -- and you will find love."
John left us many books of practical advice on spiritual growth and prayer that are just as relevant today as they were then. These books include:
Ascent of Mount Carmel
Dark Night of the Soul
and A Spiritual Canticle of the Soul and the Bridegroom Christ
Since joy comes only from God, John believed that someone who seeks happiness in the world is like "a famished person who opens his mouth to satisfy himself with air." He taught that only by breaking the rope of our desires could we fly up to God. Above all, he was concerned for those who suffered dryness or depression in their spiritual life and offered encouragement that God loved them and was leading them deeper into faith.
"What more do you want, o soul! And what else do you search for outside, when within yourself you possess your riches, delights, satisfaction and kingdom -- your beloved whom you desire and seek? Desire him there, adore him there. Do not go in pursuit of him outside yourself. You will only become distracted and you won't find him, or enjoy him more than by seeking him within you." -- Saint John of the Cross
In His Footsteps:John of the Cross believed it was just as dangerous to get attached to spiritual delights as worldly pleasures. Do you expect to get something -- a good feeling, a sense of God -- from prayer or worship? Do you continue to pray and worship when you feel alone or dry?
Prayer:Saint John of the Cross, in the darkness of your worst moments, when you were alone and persecuted, you found God. Help me to have faith that God is there especially in the times when God seems absent and far away. Amen
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thanks to st john who has broght light to our saul, an a rosicrucian any one who has any other book good as st john text me on 08168272056,thank u all
Dear Gail Thom,
Saint Dymphna is the patron saint to pray to for depression I believe. She is the patron saint for mental disorders and nervousness. God bless.
St. John of the cross please pray for me and for my family to do God ' s will. Amen.
St. John of the Cross, Thanks for your continued intercession to make me more humble and persevering in my devotion to the Lord.
Dear St.john of the cross help me i belive in god and in you
please pray for me and my family god bless you
Amen
I had a dream on10th sep,it was church near by my hometown in kerala,kasargod,kavumthala parish.all family is there,the holymass is over.now novena will start.I saw the saints photo&I dont know him,I asked myself who is this?then the saint on the photo became alive&came to me&said,I AM JOHN OF THE CROSS.I continued the novena by singing,praising&clapping the hands though I didnt hav the novenabook .I asked on of the priest known to me,he said to search in website.today I saw it,yes the foto is the same&want read the book,the darkness of the soul.thank u very much.may god bless you.
I have been told St.John of the Cross Is the pattern of the depressed. Is this true ? If not is there a St.to pray to?
St. John of the Cross was a major influence in my growth in spiritual advancement.
His writings and poems are a real introduction to a deeper insight into the spiritual life of any Christian who is seeking a deeper relationship with Christ.
It was a blessing to read and learn about St. John of the Cross today.
ST. JOHN OF THE CROSS HAPPY FEAST DAY TO YOU!!!
Thank you Saint John of the Cross for reminding me that there can be no happiness but through God.
Dear St. John of the Cross, Your poems & writings have greatly influenced my spiritual life. You have taught me how to bear insults and sufferings magnanimously. Please intercede and pray for me.
I am a secular member of the Carmelite Order. There is a special grace attached to those who are called by God to follow that spiritual road layed out by the Carmelite saints : saint Teresa of Jesus of Avila, saint Teresa of the Child Jesus, saint John of the Cross et cetera ...
I have been in hopelessness today because Japanese Catholic Charch is corrupted. But I am lucky because of meeting St. John of the Cross. I wish he were in Modern Japan. His faith would purify our nation. St. John of the Cross, deliver me from evil, lead me not into temptation. Amen.
St. John of the Cross, what an amazing understanding of God. Nothing could divert you from God's love. Your sufferings from having been disinherited, your poverty all led you to serve the mentally ill and sick. Your imprisonment by your fellow monks would have angered anyone. But you used that time in prison to create your spiritual writings. God surely chose you dear saint to be His instrument to help us. I would love to read your writings. I find that in my life my efforts to influence my children to love God has so far been nothing less than difficult. Maybe I have been too forceful and strict. God please repair all the damage I've done. Make amends for my failings. Take all I started and spoiled. I truly would like to see my adult children more God fearing and obedient to Him. Amen
Helped me with my St. John paper
I have translated the spiritualcanticles in my mother tounge tamizh language,
one of the languages in india with the help of Fr. Lawrence a carmalite and published myself
from my retirement money.I relished verymuch to re- read the life of john of the cross.
what a marvelous life!-PROFESSOR Dr. Antonycruz
This is my first time on this site and i already love this site it is very helpfullllll =) =) =)
what is he the patron of?!
I LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE saint john. he is beautiful and fills my life with meaning. He completes me and he is my lo0ver! (; <3