Feast day December 14
St. John of the Cross
Mystical Doctor · 1542–1591
For those passing through the Dark Night, longing for God.
In their words
In the evening of life, we shall be judged on love alone.
Life
Carmelite friar, poet, and co-reformer of the order with Teresa of Ávila. Imprisoned by his own brethren for proposing reform, he wrote some of the greatest mystical poetry in the Spanish language from his cell. His Dark Night and Ascent of Mount Carmel map the soul's painful purification and ascent to union with God.
A prayer
From The Spiritual Canticle
Where have You hidden Yourself, Beloved, and left me groaning? Like the stag You fled, having wounded me; I went out calling You, and You were gone. Shepherds who pass through the sheepfolds to the hill, if by chance you see Him whom I love most, tell Him that I languish, suffer, and die.