John of the Cross

ST. JOHN OF THE CROSS (1542-1591), born Juan de Yepes Alvarez, was a Spanish mystic, Catholic saint, Carmelite friar and priest, from Fontiveros, Old Castile. A reformer of the Carmelite order, St. John of the Cross urged them to return to a life of prayer. He is considered, along with St. Teresa of Avila, as a founder of the Discalced Carmelites, men and women who dedicated themselves to a life of prayer. He is also known for writing Ascent of Mount Carmel and A Spiritual Canticle of the Soul...See more

ST. JOHN OF THE CROSS (1542-1591), born Juan de Yepes Alvarez, was a Spanish mystic, Catholic saint, Carmelite friar and priest, from Fontiveros, Old Castile. A reformer of the Carmelite order, St. John of the Cross urged them to return to a life of prayer. He is considered, along with St. Teresa of Avila, as a founder of the Discalced Carmelites, men and women who dedicated themselves to a life of prayer. He is also known for writing Ascent of Mount Carmel and A Spiritual Canticle of the Soul and the Bridegroom Christ. His works are highly regarded and widely studied by the church today. See less