", 18. In the saint's disgrace, one of them, called F. Diego Evangelista, ran over the whole province to beg and trump up accusations against the servant of God, and boasted that he had sufficient proofs to have him expelled the Order. If you like such quotes, then check out St. Therese of Lisieux quotes and [St. Ignatius quotes]. Depression at Christmastime is a real thing, whether it comes from financial stress, busyness, loneliness, grief, or estrangement. He describes admirably what a soul feels in this trial in his book called "The Obscure Night." ", The dark night of the soul is a stage of final and complete purification, and is marked by confusion, helplessness, stagnation of the will, and a sense of the withdrawal of God's presence. Everybody at that time forsook him; all were afraid of seeming to have any commerce with him, and burnt the letters which they had received from him, lest they might be involved in his disgrace. London: Hay House Publishing. "He who avoids prayer is avoiding everything that is good.". Kidadl is supported by you, the reader. Without light or guide, save that which burned in my En una noche obscura, The lyric consists of eight stanzas in which the soul sings of the fortunate adventure that it had in passing through the dark night of faithto union with the Beloved.. At the end all his disciples deserted him. ", 64. So great were the austerities of these primitive Carmelites, that St. Teresa saw it necessary to prescribe them a mitigation. St. Teresa made use of him to impart the spirit of her reform to the religious in all the houses which she established. oh dichosa uentura! ", 3. A cell was made for him in the monastery that was so small he could barely lie on the floor. "This perfection consists in voiding and stripping and purifying the soul of every desire. Copyright 2022 Catholic Online. The second and third books describe the more intense purification of the spirit (titled "The Active Night of the Spirit"). However softly we speak, God is so close to us that he can hear us; nor do we need wings to go in search of him, but merely to seek solitude and contemplate him within ourselves, without being surprised to find such a good Guest there. "Oh cherished Cross! He had no sooner recovered his liberty than he was made superior of the little convent of Calvary, situate in a desert, and in 1579 founded that of Baeza. For the album by Danger Mouse and Sparklehorse, see, Lucinio del SS. "Lord, I shall see you no more with the eyes of the flesh", 2. #1. But they differ significantly from the original meaning and context of the phrase, as first conceived by the Spanish mystic, John of the Cross (1541-1597 AD).[8]. Sacramento, Nota Introductoria a la 'Subida' y la 'Noche' in, A Dialogue of Comfort against Tribulation, The chapter titled "The Dark Night of the Soul" from Evelyn Underhill's, Summary of The Dark Night of the Soul by St. John of theCross, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dark_Night_of_the_Soul&oldid=1139362787, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles containing Spanish-language text, Articles incorporating a citation from the 1913 Catholic Encyclopedia with Wikisource reference, Articles incorporating text from the 1913 Catholic Encyclopedia with Wikisource reference, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 14 February 2023, at 19:08. It is great wisdom to know how to be silent and to look at neither the remarks, nor the deeds, nor the lives of others. And yet most of the time they are talking to themselves. True devotion he described to be humble, not loving to be lofty; silent, not active; without attachment to anything; without singularity or presumption; full of distrust in itself; following with ardour simple and common rules. The final stage is union with the object of love, the one Reality, God. 73. So violent was his sorrow in this state of privation, that it seemed he must have died of grief if God had not supported him by his grace. St. John of the Cross is considered one of Spanish literatures most important poets, and his works have been translated many times since his death. Please note: prices are correct and items are available at the time the article was published. Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. If you are depressed at Christmas, think of God as the Christmas star or string of lights whose light is out there whether you see it now or not. Copyright Aleteia SAS all rights reserved. It was his desire to be a lay-brother, but this was refused him. Daily Readings for Saturday, March 04, 2023, St. Casimir: Saint of the Day for Saturday, March 04, 2023, Lenten Prayer: Prayer of the Day for Monday, February 27, 2023. ", 35. OCLC971364730. ", 4. In Noche oscura, perhaps his best-known work, he describes the process by which the soul sheds its attachment to everything and eventually passes through a personal experience of Christs Crucifixion to his glory. A profound sentiment of religion made him bear an extreme respect to whatever belonged, even remotely, to churches, or to the service of God. Paschal Homily of St. John Chrysostom If any be a devout lover of God, let him partake with gladness from this fair and radiant feast. This storm ceased when the informations of Diego were laid before the superiors; for had they been all true, they amounted to nothing which deserved any chastisement. "They say, 'God told me', or 'God replied to me'. Be ashamed when you sin. 2 - Do not try to please everybody. The son of poor silk weavers of Toledo, John was born Juan de Yepes y Alvarez in Fontiveros. He is a patron saint of mystics and contemplatives and of Spanish poets. The Discalced Carmelites sought to restore the original, strict routine and regimen that the order had when it was founded. desire its possession in nothing, Votes: 4, St John of the Cross told us that if a man wishes to be sure of the road he treads on, he must close his eyes and walk in the dark. "Jesus Christ lived in the midst of his enemies. D.V.Douai Version of the Bible (1609). "Do not ask for anything other than the cross, and precisely without consolation, because this is perfect. Shortly following his burial, there was a dispute over where he should be buried. St. Teresa was then busy in establishing her reformation of the Carmelites, and coming to Medina del Campo heard speak of the extraordinary virtue of brother John. Mount Calvary is the mount of lovers. The Dark Night of the Soul (La noche oscura del alma) is a phase of passive purification of the spirit in the mystical development, as described by the 16th-century Spanish mystic and poet St. John of the Cross in his treatise Dark Night (Noche Oscura), a commentary on his poem with the same name.It follows after the second phase, the illumination in which God's presence is felt, but this . "He who interrupts the course of his spiritual exercises and prayer is like a man who allows a bird to escape from his hand; he can hardly catch it again. When the breeze blew from the turret,as I parted his hair,it wounded my neckwith its gentle hand,suspending all my senses. Oh, night that joined Beloved with lover, desire the possession of nothing. I abandoned and forgot myself,laying my face on my Beloved;all things ceased; I went out from myself,leaving my caresforgotten among the lilies. By virtue of his intense poemsCntico espiritual (The Spiritual Canticle), Noche oscura del alma (The Dark Night of the Soul), and Llama de amor viva (The Living Flame of Love)he achieves preeminence in Spanish mystical literature, expressing the experience of the mystical union between the soul and Christ. In other words, he must be truly resolved to suffer willingly for the love of God in all things. In 1591 the chapter of his Order met at Madrid, in which St. John opposed too severe measures used in the punishment of disobedience against Father Gratian, who had been a great assistant to St. Teresa; and likewise strenuously spoke against a motion supported by some of the chiefs, for casting off the direction of the Teresain nuns. The prior of the community of Ubeda where he had gone for treatment had a grudge against him and made his dying quite difficult. He prepared himself to offer his first sacrifice by humiliations, fasts, penitential tears, fervent prayers, and long meditations on the sufferings of our Divine Redeemer; deeply imprinting his precious wounds in his heart and sacrificing himself, his will, and all his actions with his Saviour, in raptures of love and devotion. Oh, night more lovely than the dawn, ", 24. A person of distinction was one day so moved with the sight of it, perceiving the heavenly light of his face to dazzle his eyes and pierce his heart with divine love, that on the spot he took a resolution to renounce the world and embraced the Order of St. Dominic. The soul that is attached to anything, however much good there may be in it, will not arrive at the liberty of Divine union. "Where there is no love, pour love in, and you will draw love out. ", 23. St. John, after tasting the first sweets of holy contemplation, found himself deprived of all sensible devotion. By joining Kidadl you agree to Kidadls Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receiving marketing communications from Kidadl. The dark night of Mother Teresa, whose own name in religion she selected in honor of Thrse of Lisieux, "may be the most extensive such case on record", having endured from 1948 almost until her death in 1997, with only brief interludes of relief, according to her letters.[9][10]. Johns schematization combines a poetic sensitivity for the nuances of mystical experience with a theological and philosophical precision guided by his study of St. Thomas Aquinas. ", 6. The wisdom of the great Spanish Carmelite mystic St. John of the Cross, whose feast is celebrated December 14, can help you cope. ", 25. Waiting in Loneliness. Catholic Encyclopedia. Juan de Yepes y lvarez was born in Spain and entered the Carmelite Order as a young man. Any unauthorized use, without prior written consent of Catholic Online is strictly forbidden and prohibited. Catholic.org - with thousands of pages of magisterial content. With his mother's milk he sucked in the most tender devotion to the Blessed Virgin, and was preserved from many dangers by the visible protection of her intercession The death of his father left his mother destitute of all succours with three little children, with whom she settled at Medina. In darkness and secure, St. John of the Cross is considered one of Spanish literature's most important poets, and his works have been translated many times since his death. ", 22. ", 99. Have a great love for those who contradict and fail to love you, for in this way love is begotten in a heart that has no love. Help us continue to bring the Gospel to people everywhere through uplifting and transformative Catholic news, stories, spirituality, and more. Never give up prayer, and should you find dryness and difficulty, persevere in it for this very reason. The famous works of Saint John include the 'Dark Night of the Soul' and the 'Spiritual Canticle.' Saint Brigid, You were a woman of peace. The old Carmelite friars looked on this reformation, though undertaken with the licence and approbation of the general, given to St. Teresa, as a rebellion against their Order; and, in their chapter at Placentia, condemned St. John as a fugitive and an apostate. It is great wisdom to know how to be silent and to look at neither the remarks, nor the deeds, nor the lives of others.. He who avoids prayer is avoiding everything that is good. Just find a moment God to offer him your silent love. If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. His father was employed by wealthy family members as an accountant, but they disowned him when he married a poor woman from the lower class. In sorrow and suffering, go straight to God with confidence, and you will be strengthened, enlightened and instructed. "Whoever does not seek the cross of Christ doesn't seek the glory of Christ. .css-tadcwa:hover{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}Tom Hoopes - @media screen and (max-width: 767px){.css-1xovt06 .date-separator{display:none;}.css-1xovt06 .date-updated{display:block;width:100%;}}published on 12/14/20. The Ascent of Mount Carmel is divided into three books that reflect the two phases of the dark night. ", 17. We hope you love our recommendations for products and services! Each week he was taken into public and lashed, then returned to his cell. "To love God is, therefore, to be transformed into God.". The soul that journey's to God, but doesn't shake off it's cares and quiet it's appetities, is like someone who drags a cart of dirt uphill. This spiritual dryness was followed by interior trouble of mind, scruples, and a disrelish of spiritual exercises, which yet he was careful never to forsake. "Not to follow the advice of our confessor is pride and a want of faith. ", 40. alli quedo dormido, Scarce any other nourishment was allowed him during the nine months which he remained there but bread, a little fish, called sardines, and water. ", 50. ", 27. Upon my flowery breast, "At the end of our life, we shall all be judged by charity. It's FREE! In the evening of life, we will be judged on love alone.. John of the Cross Thinking, Leaving, Soul 209 Copy quote Your privacy is important to us. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents. "He who loves is not ashamed before men of what he does for God, neither does he hide it through shame though the whole world should condemn it. The same day, John changed his name again to John of the Cross. ", 53. . In 1581 he was chosen prior of Granada; in 1585 vicar-provincial of Andalusia; and, in 1588, first definitor of the Order. in darkness and concealment,my house being now all stilled. If any be a faithful servant, let him enter rejoicing into the joy of his Lord. Whereupon she desired to see him, admired his spirit, and told him that God had called him to sanctify himself in the Order of our Lady of Mount Carmel: that she had received authority from the general to found two reformed houses of men, and that he himself should be the first instrument of so great a work. This was again succeeded by another more grievous trial of spiritual darkness which spread itself over his soul, accompanied with interior pains and temptations, in which God seemed to have forsaken him, and to have become deaf to his sighs and tears. creative tips and more. "What we need most in order to make progress is to be silent before this great God with our appetite and with our tongue, for the language he best hears is silent love. "Wisdom enters through love, silence, and mortification. In all his employments, the austerities which he practiced seemed to exceed bounds; and he only slept two or three hours in a night, employing the rest in prayer, in presence of the blessed sacrament. Cast your care upon God for you are His and He will not forget you. 1 - There is nothing so great as the Eucharist. "The road is narrow. ", 96. ", 87. Do not think that He is leaving you alone, for that would be to wrong Him. ", 100. PRINCIPAL ABBREVIATIONS A.V.Authorized Version of the Bible (1611). "Strive to preserve your heart in peace; let no event of this world disturb it. "If it were given to a man to see virtue's reward in the next world, he would occupy his intellect, memory and will in nothing but good works, careless of danger or fatigue. St John of the Cross told us that if a man wishes to be sure of the road he treads on, he must close his eyes and walk in the dark. He answered, "Lord, I ask no other recompense than to suffer and be condemned for thy love." ", 34. What I am looking for is an immobile movement, something which would be the equivalent of what is called the eloquence of silence, or what St. John of the Cross, I think it was, described with the term 'mute music'. Follow AzQuotes on Facebook, Twitter and Google+. This gave offence to some whom envy and jealousy had indisposed against him, and by their means the servant of God was thrust out of all employments in his Order. "Never relax, for you will not attain to the possession of true spiritual delights if first you do not learn to deny your every desire. Leaving my cares forgotten among the lilies. Catholic Online School - Free education with 1,000,000 student enrollments. As he grew older, he went to work in a hospital while attending a Jesuit school. "Never give up prayer, and should you find dryness and difficulty, persevere in it for this very reason. "In the evening of life, we will be judged on love alone. "God is a dark night to man in this life. John schematized the steps of mystical ascenta self-communion that in quietude leads the individual from the inharmonious distractions of the world to the sublime peace of reunion between the soul and God. To love God is therefore to be transformed into God. | Irondale, AL 35210 |. By these means he studied to die to the world and to himself; but by assiduous prayer and contemplation, in silence and retirement, he gave wings to his soul. In the 20th century, poets John Frederick Nims and Willis Barnstone translated the poetry of St. John of the Cross into English. This is an unimaginably great gift of God, and it is now underway. oh dichosa uentura! So the Christian, too, belongs not in the seclusion of a cloistered . Three things he frequently asked of God: 1st, That he might not pass one day of his life without suffering something; 2ndly, That he might not die superior; 3rdly, That he might end his life in humiliation, disgrace, and contempt. The provincial happening to come to Ubeda a few days before his death was grieved to see this barbarous usage, opened the door of his cell, and said that such an example of invincible patience and virtue ought to be public, not only to his religious brethren, but to the whole world.
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