John of the Cross

(Zurbarán (?), 1656) (link)

Feast Day December 14

Patron of Mystics, Contemplatives, Spanish Poets

Situations Dark Night of the Soul, Mystical Prayer, Persecution

Professions Contemplatives, Mystics, Poets

Saint John of the Cross was a Spanish Carmelite friar, mystic, and Doctor of the Church. Born in 1542, he joined Saint Teresa of Ávila in reforming the Carmelite Order. His mystical poetry and writings on the “Dark Night of the Soul” are among the greatest works of Christian spirituality and Spanish literature.