Saint John of the Cross - December 14
Also known as
Doctor of Mystical Theology
John della Croce
John de la Croix
John de la Cruz
John vom Kreuz
Juan de Santa María de Yepes
Johannes av Korset
Memorial
14 December
formerly 24 November
Profile
Born in poverty. Cared for the poor in the hospital in Medina del Campo, Spain. Carmelite lay brother in 1563 at age 21, though he lived more strictly than the Rule required. Studied at Salamanca, Spain. Carmelite priest, ordained in 1567 at age 25. Persuaded by Saint Teresa of Avila to begin the Discalced or barefoot reform within the Carmelite Order, he took the name John of the Cross. Master of novices. Spiritual director and confessor at Saint Teresa‘s convent. His reforms did not set well with some of his brothers, and he was ordered to return to Medina del Campo. He refused, and was imprisoned at Toledo, Spain, escaping after nine months. Vicar-general of Andalusia, Spain. His reforms revitalized the Order. Great contemplative and spiritual writer. Proclaimed a Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius XI on 24 August 1926.
Born
24 June 1542 at Fontiveros, Spain as Juan de Santa María de Yepes
Died
14 December 1591 at Ubeda, Andalusia, Spain of natural causes
relics at the Convent of the Discalced Carmelites in Segovia, Spain
Beatified
25 January 1675 by Pope Clement X
Canonized
27 December 1726 by Pope Benedict XIII
Patronage
contemplative life
contemplatives
mystical theology
mystics
poets
Spanish poets
World Youth Day 2011
Segovia, Spain
Ta’ Xbiex, Malta
Representation
eagle
John of the Cross (Memorial)
—
Abundius of Spain
Agnellus of Naples
Buenaventura Bonaccorsi
Castino
Drusus of Syria
Folcuino of Therouanne
Giovanna Lambertini
John Bread-and-Water
John Discalceat
Justus of Spain
Mary Frances Schervier
Matronianus of Milan
Nicasius of Rheims
Pompeius of Pavia
Venantius Fortunatus
Viator of Bergamo
Yusuf Jurj Kassab al-Hardini
William de Rovira
—
Martyrs of Alexandria – 4 saints
Martyrs of Apollonia – 7 saints
Martyrs of Ashkelon – 3 saints
Martyrs of Hayle – 2+ saints
Martyrs of Rheims – 4 saints
Martyrs of Syria – 3 saints
Martyred in the Spanish Civil War
Isidro Alonso Peña
Protasi Cubells Minguell
—
Abra
Berthold of Regensburg
Lupicinus of Vienne
Peter of Avrances
According to the 1962 Missal of Bl. John XXIII the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite St. John of Cross' feast is celebrated on November 24.
St. John of the Cross (1542-1591) was born and died in Spain. His parents were poor and could not give him training in any trade. Hence he became the servant of the sick in the hospital of Medina. In 1563 he offered himself as a lay brother to the Carmelite friars, who, however, perceiving his unusual talents, had him ordained a priest. When he was about to join the more severe Order of the Carthusians, the saintly Teresa persuaded him to remain and help her in the reform of the Carmelite Order. This reform of his order caused him such sufferings and brought him many trials. But his sufferings served only to detach him from creatures. He had a great devotion to Our Lord's Passion and voluntarily sought out humiliations. When Our Lord asked him what reward he would ask for his labors, John answered: "To suffer and to be despised for Thee." He died of a cruel disease, embracing the crucifix. Because of his profound treatises on mystical theology Pope Pius XI proclaimed him Doctor of the Church. According to the 1962 Missal of Bl. John XXIII the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite St. John of Cross' feast is celebrated on November 24.
www.catholicculture.org/…/day.cfm