St John of the Cross

St. John of the Cross was born in 1541 and died in 1591.

St John was inspired when he met St Teresa of Avila.  He too saw the need for reform within the Carmelite order.  They belong to a group called the discalced because they wore sandals.  It was an outward sign to convey their strict discipline and strict observance of the Carmelite rule.  

St John of the cross boldly used the title "of the cross" and strive to live up to that name.  

He strived to live to according to Christ's teaching: "whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross and follow me."

Striving to live according to the strict rule of the Carmelite order was not met with ease.  There was misunderstanding among his own brethren in the Carmelite order.  His own people even imprisoned him thinking for his own good.  They put him into a small, dark and damp cell.  

While in his cell St John found incredible solace in God, and produced some of the most beautiful poetry for the soul.  Poetry such as the dark night if the soul, spiritual canticle, ascent of Mt Carmel.  

St John of the cross once said: 

You will not take from me, my God, what you once gave me in your only Son, Jesus Christ, in whom you gave me all I desire.

"Mine are the heavens and mine is the earth. Mine are the nations, the just are mine, and mine the sinners. The angels are mine, and the Mother of God, and all things are mine; and God himself is mine and for me, because Christ is mine and all for me."  (Sayings of Light and Love, 26 & 27)

Through the intercession of St John of the Cross, poet, theologian and mystic, may we carry our own cross faithfully and follow Christ.