Feast day: December 14

Saint John of the Cross was born in Fontiveros, in Spain about 1542. He entered the Carmelites and with the permission of his superiors began to live a stricter life. Afterwards he was persuaded by Saint Teresa to begin, together with some others, the Discalced reform within the Order; this cost him much hard work and many trials. He died in Ubeda in 1591, outstanding in holiness and wisdom, to which his many spiritual writings give eloquent witness. He was declared Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius XI in 1926.

Devotional Prayer:

You endowed St. John of the Cross

With a spirit of self-denial and love of the cross.

By following his example may we come to

the eternal vision of your glory.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.