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The Spiritual Journey of Saint John of the Cross: A Look into his Legacy
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Saint John of the Cross (1542-1591) is a Spanish mystic and poet, who is considered one of the greatest Christian mystics of all time. He is a Doctor of the Church and a patron saint of contemplatives, mystics, Spanish poets, and the mentally ill.
John was born Juan de Yepes in Fontiveros, Spain, on June 24, 1542. His parents were both poor, and he was the youngest of thirteen children. He entered the Carmelite Order in 1563, taking the name John of St. Matthias.
In 1567, John met Saint Teresa of Avila, who was in the process of reforming the Carmelite Order. They shared a deep spiritual bond and began working together to reform the order. They founded the Discalced Carmelites, a more austere branch of the order that emphasized poverty and contemplation. In 1577, John was falsely accused of heresy by members of the Carmelite Order and was imprisoned for nine months in a small, dark cell. It was during this time that he wrote his famous spiritual poem "Dark Night of the Soul." The poem reflects on the spiritual journey of the soul, describing the pain and darkness that one must go through before reaching union with God.
John was finally released from prison in 1578 and continued to work on the reform of the Carmelite Order. He also wrote many other spiritual poems and works, including "Ascent of Mount Carmel" and "The Spiritual Canticle."
John died on December 14, 1591, in Ubeda, Spain, at the age of 49. He was canonized by Pope Benedict XIII in 1726 and was declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius XI in 1926. His feast day is celebrated on December 14.
In addition to his spiritual writings, Saint John of the Cross is also known for his poetry, which is considered some of the finest of the Spanish Renaissance. He has been an inspiration for countless poets, writers, and mystics throughout the centuries. He is also considered to be the founder of the Mystical Theology of the Catholic Church. Saint John of the Cross is considered one of the greatest Christian mystics of all time.
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