- St. John of the Cross (1542 - 1591)
Today is the feast day of St. John of the Cross. John was born in 1542 in Fontiveros, Spain. His father died when John was still very young, and he and his family were destitute. At fourteen, John took a job that cared for patients who had incurable diseases and suffered from madness. In 1567, John was ordained a Carmelite priest, and St. Teresa of Avila asked him to help her with her reform movement. John supported St. Teresa's views of reform heartily, but many others didn't. Many threatened John, and he was even kidnapped by those of his own order. For nine months, he lived in a six feet by ten feet cell, and was beaten three times a week by the monks. There were no other windows besides a tiny one in the ceiling of his cell. Surprisingly, John grew much closer to God during this time. One day, John escaped by unscrewing the lock on his door, creeping past the guard, and climbing out of a window using strips of blankets tied together as a rope. He then followed a dog to the city, and took refuge in a convent infirmary. From then on, John helped others to grow in their love of God. John also wrote many beautiful and helpful books about the spiritual life. These books are Ascent of Mt. Carmel, Dark Night of the Soul, and A Spiritual Canticle of the Soul and the Bridegroom Christ. He died in 1591.
St. John of the Cross, pray for us!
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Picture Of And Information About St. John of the Cross Taken From:
http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=65
http://www.americancatholic.org/features/saintofday/
http://www.carmelclarion.com/digitallibraries.html
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