After a meeting with St. Teresa of Avila, he joined her attempts at reforming the order and pledged himself to a more stringently monastic and studious life than Carmelites then practiced. ", The dark night of the soul is a stage of final and complete purification, and is marked by confusion, helplessness, stagnation of the will, and a sense of the withdrawal of God's presence. Saint John of the Cross was born Juan de Yepes y Alvarez, in Fontiveros, Avila, Spain in 1542. In secret, when none saw me, ISBN978-1-78180-879-5. ", 90. ", 17. "In the dark night of the soul, bright flows the river of God. "Contemplation is nothing else but a secret, peaceful, and loving infusion of God, which, if admitted, will set the soul on fire with the Spirit of love. His apostles and other most faithful servants, in proportion to the high degree in which they stood in his favour, drank of this cup. seek a refuge, like pure doves, in the shadow of the crucifix. His . "He who loses an opportunity is like the man who lets a bird fly from his hand, for he will never recover it. When children make mistakes, talk to them seriously and by Traditional Catholic Prayers | Feb 1, 2023 | Faith & Life, February, Prayer. The prior of the community of Ubeda where he had gone for treatment had a grudge against him and made his dying quite difficult. The poem of St. John of the Cross, in eight stanzas of five lines each, narrates the journey of the soul to the mystical union with God. St. Teresa made use of him to impart the spirit of her reform to the religious in all the houses which she established. con su mano serena ", 86. Beloved, all that is harsh and difficult I want for myself, and all that is gentle and sweet for thee.. ", 45. ", 83. If any have wearied himself with fasting, let him now enjoy his reward. At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. He is a patron saint of mystics and contemplatives and of Spanish poets. Lord, My Soul Is In Love With Your Beauty Let's Talk About How Great Medieval . The Cross is the school of love. This state of interior desolation contemplative souls, in some degree or other, first pass through before their hearts are prepared to receive the communication of God's special graces. "In search of my Love I will go over mountains and strands; I will gather no flowers, I will fear no wild beasts; And pass by the mighty and the frontiers. ", 6. estando ya mi casa sosegada. ", 41. el rostro recline sobre el amado, 1 - There is nothing so great as the Eucharist. Alternate titles: Juan de Yepes y lvarez, San Juan de la Cruz. St John, by his family name called Yepes, was youngest child of Gonzales of Yepes, and born at Fontibere near Avila, in Old Castile, in 1542. Do not think that He is leaving you alone, for that would be to wrong Him. amado con amada, "Silence is God's first language." -Saint John. Thank you. He is also known for his writings. Be ashamed when you sin. By virtue of his intense poemsCntico espiritual (The Spiritual Canticle), Noche oscura del alma (The Dark Night of the Soul), and Llama de amor viva (The Living Flame of Love)he achieves preeminence in Spanish mystical literature, expressing the experience of the mystical union between the soul and Christ. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability. "Strive to preserve your heart in peace; let no event of this world disturb it. With his gentle hand he wounded my neck ", 61. The dispute was resolved by removing his legs and arms. God himself was pleased to complete his sacrifice, and abandoned him for some time to a great spiritual dryness, and a state of interior desolation. ", 23. ", 47. ", 49. C.W.S.T.J.The Complete Works of Saint Teresa of Jesus, translated and edited by E. Allison Peers from the critical edition of P. Silverio de Santa Teresa, C.D. 10 likes Like "Many praise and bless Jesus as long as they receive some consolation from Him, but if He hide Himself and leave them for a little while, they fall either into complaining or into excessive dejection." St. John of the Cross, Dark Night of the Soul 8 likes Like In darkness and in concealment, St. John, living in the practice of extreme austerities, and in continual contemplation, fell sick, and when he could no longer conceal his distemper, the provincial ordered him to leave Pegnuela, that place being destitute of all relief, and gave him the choice either to go to Baeza or to Ubeda. ", 3. You brought hope to the downcast. Saint John of the Cross was beatified by Pope Clement X in 1675, and Canonized by Pope Benedict XIII in 1726. Just find a moment God to offer him your silent love. "The purest suffering bears and carries in its train the purest understanding. He chose for his cell a little dark hole at the bottom of the dormitory. But the darkest nights are followed by the most radiant dawns and the soul, perfect at last, enters into complete, constant and inseparable communion with the Spirit, so that to use the bold statement employed by St John of the Cross "it seems to be God himself and has the same characteristics as him". If you are depressed at Christmas, think of God as the Christmas star or string of lights whose light is out there whether you see it now or not. St. John was canonized by Benedict XIII in 1726, and his office in the Roman Breviary was appointed on this 24th of November. St John of the Cross told us that if a man wishes to be sure of the road he treads on, he must close his eyes and walk in the dark. ", 38. entre las aucenas olvidado. Juan de Yepes y lvarez was born in Spain and entered the Carmelite Order as a young man. The "dark night" does not refer to the difficulties of life in general,[3] although the phrase has been taken to refer to such trials. "God leads every soul by a separate path." -- John of the Cross #Soul #Path #Individual "In the inner stillness where meditation leads, the Spirit secretly anoints the soul and heals our deepest wounds." -- John of the Cross #Meditation #Soul #Spirit "Where there is no love, pour love in, and you will draw love out." -- John of the Cross Please note that Kidadl is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon. Escaping in August 1578, he later won high office in the order, becoming vicar provincial of Andalusia from 1585 to 1587. [5] The active purgation of the senses comprises the first of the classical three stages of the mystical journey, followed by those of illumination and then union. She sent for St. John and appointed him the spiritual director of this house in 1576. Check your inbox for your latest news from us. A history of his revelations and many miracles, with an exact account of his writings, and mystical theology may be read in his life by F. Dositheus of Alexis. ", 75. Contemplation is nothing else but a secret, peaceful, and loving infusion of God, which if admitted, will set the soul on fire with the Spirit of love.. To reach satisfaction in all His only luxuries were a prayer book and an oil lamp to read it by. Everybody at that time forsook him; all were afraid of seeming to have any commerce with him, and burnt the letters which they had received from him, lest they might be involved in his disgrace. The lyric consists of eight stanzas in which the soul sings of the fortunate adventure that it had in passing through the dark night of faithto union with the Beloved.. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. ", 99. John learned the first elements of letters at a college. He who wishes to travel it more easily must cast off all things and use the cross as his cane. Catholic Online School - Free education with 1,000,000 student enrollments. ", 64. If you do not learn to deny yourself, you can make no progress in perfection. In the dark night of the soul, bright flows the river of God. For fear of contracting any attachments to earthly things, he was a rigorous observer and lover of poverty. Live in faith and hope, though it be in darkness, for in this darkness God protects the soul. 41. Matthias." ", 85. Yet the Bishop of Avila thought it necessary that she should be made prioress there, to retrench at least the frequent visits of seculars. desire to be nothing. Bk. For the album by Danger Mouse and Sparklehorse, see, Lucinio del SS. Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. All the furniture of his little cell or chamber consisted in a paper image and a cross made of rushes, and he would have the meanest beads and breviary, and wear the most threadbare habit he could get. .css-tadcwa:hover{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}Tom Hoopes - @media screen and (max-width: 767px){.css-1xovt06 .date-separator{display:none;}.css-1xovt06 .date-updated{display:block;width:100%;}}published on 12/14/20. Every day we present the best quotes! 2. To come to the knowledge of all St. John of the Cross Quotes from John of the Cross "Strive to preserve your heart in peace; let no event of this world disturb it." "The endurance of darkness is the preparation for great light." "The soul that is quick to turn to speaking and conversing is slow to turn to God." 7. All love that does not take its origin from the Savior's passion is foolish and perilous. I went out unseen,my house being now all stilled. ", 78. One dark night,fired with loves urgent longings ah, the sheer grace! Omissions? "Never give up prayer, and should you find dryness and difficulty, persevere in it for this very reason. He founded at the same time the convent of Segovia. Each week he was taken into public and lashed, then returned to his cell. Almighty God exalted him after his death by several miracles; amongst which the cure of a nun of the Annunciation, at Neuf-Chateau, in Lorrain, struck with a palsy, in 1705, effected on the ninth day of a Novena of devotion to this saint, was juridically proved in the court of the Bishop of Toul. Many seculars likewise put themselves under his direction, and he preached the word of God with wonderful unction and fruit. En una noche obscura, ", 21. Improve yourself, find your inspiration, share with friends, This website or its third-party tools use cookies, which are necessary to its functioning and required to achieve the purposes illustrated in the cookie policy. He was taken by force to the order's main house in Toledo. This is for all those who arent expecting to get much for Christmas! His fever all this time allowed him no rest. All rights reserved. "God leads every soul by a separate path." -Saint John. ", 25. Daily Readings - viewed over 100 million times worldwide. The first was a very convenient convent and had for prior an intimate friend of the saint. Theresa, along with John, sought to restore the original rule. ", 72. "God desires the smallest degree of purity of conscience in you more than all the works you can perform. Quedeme y oluideme, "[11] Joseph Campbell states "The dark night of the soul comes just before revelation. Some Carmelites, such as Theresa of Avila, felt this liberalization of their rule had interfered with their order and practice. I interpret that as a direction for us to trust in the guidance we receive from our invisible self. With his mother's milk he sucked in the most tender devotion to the Blessed Virgin, and was preserved from many dangers by the visible protection of her intercession The death of his father left his mother destitute of all succours with three little children, with whom she settled at Medina. Around 1575, a rift within the Carmelite order began to grow and create controversy between various monastic houses. When he arrived at Salamanca, in order to commence his higher studies, the austerities which he practiced were excessive. A Christian should always remember that the value of his good works is not based on their number and excellence, but on the love of God which prompts him to do these things. The final stage is union with the object of love, the one Reality, God. A person of distinction was one day so moved with the sight of it, perceiving the heavenly light of his face to dazzle his eyes and pierce his heart with divine love, that on the spot he took a resolution to renounce the world and embraced the Order of St. Dominic. was awaiting me He soon engaged them to shut up their parlours, and to cut off the scandalous abuses which were inconsistent with a religious life of retirement and penance. sino la que en el coraon ardia. It will transform them from Contemplative Prayer to Unitive Prayer, which is actual union with God. con ansias en amores imflamada, "Obedience is a penance of reason, and, on that account, a sacrifice more acceptable than all corporal penances and mortifications. The time or place of composition are not certain. Articles like these are sponsored free for every Catholic through the support of generous readers just like you. [note 1] It is the period of final "unselfing" and the surrender to the hidden purposes of the divine will. ceso todo, y dexeme, "Jesus Christ lived in the midst of his enemies. If you have trouble praying, dont worry. Whereupon she desired to see him, admired his spirit, and told him that God had called him to sanctify himself in the Order of our Lady of Mount Carmel: that she had received authority from the general to found two reformed houses of men, and that he himself should be the first instrument of so great a work. dexando mi cuidado What I am looking for is an immobile movement, something which would be the equivalent of what is called the eloquence of silence, or what St. John of the Cross, I think it was, described with the term 'mute music'. "More is gained in one hour from God's good things than in a whole lifetime from our own. Live in faith and hope, though it be in darkness, for in this darkness God protects the soul. As far as I'm concerned, there won't be a Beatles reunion as long as John Lennon remains dead. "Desolation is a file, and the endurance of darkness is preparation for great light. Ch. Ch. But in the divine love they found a recompense, which richly paid them for all its cost, this love being its own present reward, as it is a fire which is its own fuel. Hence afflictions are part of the portion which, together with the hundred-fold of his consolations, he has promised to his most beloved servants. Never give up prayer, and should you find dryness and difficulty, persevere in it for this very reason. Hold on. And giving remains the best antidote to depression. Daily Readings for Saturday, March 04, 2023, St. Casimir: Saint of the Day for Saturday, March 04, 2023, Lenten Prayer: Prayer of the Day for Monday, February 27, 2023. Votes: 4, St John of the Cross told us that if a man wishes to be sure of the road he treads on, he must close his eyes and walk in the dark. Bear the Cross cheerfully and it will bear you. The sweetness of the divine love and peace which overflowed the soul of the servant of God all this time, filled him with interior joy, which increased in proportion as he was more abandoned by creatures. Jesus merited all the graces we receive by suffering for us; and it is by suffering with him that we are best prepared to be enriched with them. An act of pure love is divine and gives us peace. The love of suffering made St. John prefer this house of Ubeda. Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly quotes for everyone to enjoy! "If you do not learn to deny yourself, you can make no progress in perfection." -Saint John. His wonderful love of the cross appeared in all his actions, and it was by meditating continually on the sufferings of Christ that it increased daily in his soul; for love made him desire to resemble his crucified Redeemer in all manner of humiliations and sufferings. There were in the Order two fathers of great authority, who declared themselves his implacable enemies, harbouring malice and envy in their breasts, which they cloaked under the sanctified name of holy zeal. The soul that is attached to anything, however much good there may be in it, will not arrive at the liberty of Divine union. We should not grudge our toil wrestling them from Satan and giving them back to God. St. Sebastian Image: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/whjW8s3/CatholicLinkNewsletter, by St. Arnold Janssen | Jan 14, 2023 | Prayer, Saint Quotes, O God, eternal truth, I believe in You. 8. The Collected Works of Saint John of the Cross, p.93, ICS Publications. He suffered excessive pains from the violence of the inflammation, and from the frequent incisions and operations of the surgeons, from the top to the bottom of his leg. When he is brought to nothing, the highest degree of humility, the spiritual union between his soul and God will be effected. [13], "This," says St. John of the Cross again, "is one of the most bitter sufferings of this purgation. He has been cited as an influence to many poets, mystics, and artists, even Salvador Dali. All love that does not take its origin from the Savior's passion is foolish and perilous. 2. ", 69. Votes: 4, St. John of the Cross points out that the divine music can best be heard in solitude and silence. It's FREE! ", 28. Unhappy is love without the Savior's death. The provincial happening to come to Ubeda a few days before his death was grieved to see this barbarous usage, opened the door of his cell, and said that such an example of invincible patience and virtue ought to be public, not only to his religious brethren, but to the whole world. St. John of the Cross, Spanish San Juan de la Cruz, original name Juan de Yepes y lvarez, (born June 24, 1542, Fontiveros, Spaindied December 14, 1591, Ubeda; canonized 1726; feast day December 14), one of the greatest Christian mystics and Spanish poets, doctor of the church, reformer of Spanish monasticism, and cofounder of the contemplative order of Discalced Carmelites. Sign up for our Premium service. Mount Calvary is the mount of lovers. Waiting in Loneliness. If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. Copyright 2022 Catholic Online. And yet most of the time they are talking to themselves. ", 34. You brought light to the darkness. In the calm which followed this terrible tempest he was wonderfully repaid in divine comforts. The Wise Men Step softly, under snow or rain,To find the place where men can pray;The way is all so very plainThat we may lose the way.Oh, we have learnt to peer and poreOn tortured puzzles from our youth,We know all the labyrinthine lore,We are the three by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI | Dec 2, 2022 | Advent and Christmas, "It is the beautiful task of Advent to awaken in all of us memories of goodness and thus to open the doors of hope."