St. John of the Cross
Feast day: December 14
Born in Spain, John entered the Carmelite order and was ordained in 1567. He found the Carmelites to be suffering excessive laxity, so he joined forces with St. Teresa of Avila to reform the order. He encountered severe opposition to these reforms and was even imprisoned in a monastery prison cell for nine months. John was known for his mystical writings and poetry, including “The Dark Night of the Soul,” and was co-founder of the Discalced Carmelites. John was canonized in 1726 by Pope Benedict XIlI and declared a Doctor of the Church in 1926 by Pope Pius XI. He is patron of contemplative life, mystics, and poets.
Collect
O God, who gave the Priest Saint John
an outstanding dedication to perfect self-denial
and love of the Cross,
grant that, by imitating him closely at all times,
we may come to contemplate eternally your glory.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
