John of the Cross
A Castilian friar, Catholic priest, and mystic of the sixteenth century, John of the Cross was born on 4 July 1542 in Fontiveros and died on 14 December 1591 in Úbeda.
Educated at the University of Salamanca, John worked as a friar and Catholic priest whose writing was composed in the Spanish language. He was recognized as a Doctor of the Church, a designation preserved in institutional records, including his entry in the Library of Congress Name Authority File as "John of the Cross, Saint, 1542–1591." His roles as poet, writer, and librettist reflect the range of literary forms through which he pursued his vocation.
Among his notable works are the Spiritual Canticle and the Cantar del alma que se huelga de conocer a Dios por fe, both composed in Spanish. These works belong to a body of output shaped by mystical inquiry and expressed through poetry, consistent with his standing as a mystic whose literary activity operated across verse and related forms.
Quotes by John of the Cross
The window of the soul cleansed perfectly and made completely transparent by the divine light.
Though the path is plain and smooth for men of good will, he who walks it will not travel far, and will do so only with difficulty, if he does not have good feet: that is, courage and a persevering spirit.
They say, “God told me”, or “God replied to me”. And yet most of the time they are talking to themselves.
The eternal tide flows hid in Living Bread. That with its Heavenly Life too be fed...
The road is narrow. He who wishes to travel it more easily must cast off all things and use the cross as his cane. In other words, he must be truly resolved to suffer willingly for the love of God in all things.
Take God for your spouse and friend and walk with him continually, and you will not sin and will learn to love, and the things you must do will work out prosperously for you.
The virtuous soul that is alone and without a master is like a long lone burning coal; it will grow colder rather than hotter.
Abide in peace, banish cares, take no account of all that happens, and you will serve God according to his good pleasure and rest in him.
The soul of one who serves God always swims in joy, always keeps holiday, is always in her palace of jubilation, ever singing with fresh ardor and fresh pleasure a new song of joy and love.
