Daily Saints

Saint John of Kanty (Cantius), Priest

c. 1390–1473; Patron Saint of teachers, students, priests, pilgrims, Lithuania, and Poland; Canonized by Pope Clement XIII on July 16, 1767

Jan Kanty (John Cantius in English) was born in 1390 in the small town of Kęty, in the Kingdom of Poland. Kęty is about ten miles south of Oświęcim, which the Nazis renamed Auschwitz, the location of the largest and most horrific concentration camp in World War II. Kęty is also thirteen miles west of Wadowice, where Pope Saint John Paul II was born 530 years later.

As a youth, John proved to be both intelligent and devout, receiving his early education in his hometown. Around the age of twenty-three, he enrolled in the Kraków Academy where he studied philosophy. Kraków Academy was the only university in the Kingdom of Poland at that time, being founded in 1364 by King Casimir III the Great. In 1817 it was renamed the Jagiellonian University and is where Pope John Paul II studied. During John Cantius’ studies, he was introduced to the spiritual movement called Devotio Moderna (Modern Devotion), which emphasized personal devotion, humility, and interior conversion, especially through the meditation upon Sacred Scripture and personal prayer.

Around the year 1418, John earned his doctorate in philosophy, taught philosophy classes at the Kraków Academy, and studied theology for three years. Upon completing his theological studies, John was ordained a priest and became the rector at the school of the Canons Regular of the Most Holy Sepulcher in Miechow, about twenty-five miles north of Kraków, where he served for about eight years. The Canons Regular of the Most Holy Sepulcher followed the Rule of Saint Augustine. One of Father John’s duties was to work as a copyist of Scripture and books, since the printing press had not yet been invented. As a copyist, Father John grew in an intimate knowledge of Sacred Scripture. He also copied the works of Saint Augustine, inspiring within him a deep love of Augustinian philosophy and theology. Throughout his life, Father John copied more that 18,000 pages of text that still exist, and most likely many more that do not.

In 1429, Father John happily accepted a position at Kraków Academy. He became a beloved professor of Sacred Scripture, philosophy, and theology. His disposition was always humble, cheerful, serious, and godly. Most notably, Father John had a reputation for making complex philosophical and theological concepts accessible to his students, combining depth with clarity and practical application. He also continued his theological studies at the Kraków Academy, earning a doctorate in theology, and later fulfilled additional administrative responsibilities as the head of the Philosophy Department, and eventually as head of the Theology Department.

In addition to being an excellent professor, Father John took care of the spiritual needs of his students with compassion and concern. In the pulpit, Father John was known as a powerful preacher and a defender of orthodoxy. At that time, one of the raging debates within the Church was conciliarism, an assertion that the pope should submit to the authority of Church councils. Father John became a staunch defender of the papacy, which had a profound effect upon his colleagues and students.

Father John also became well known and well loved within the city of Kraków for his exceptional generosity and love of the poor. Whatever he had was theirs, minus the meager amount he needed to provide for his own needs. His clothing, money, and food were not off limits. One story relates that one time he even gave away his shoes to a poor person. When asked why he was going barefoot, he replied that a poor person needed his shoes more than he did.

Father John’s prayer life was greatly enhanced by his penitential life. He slept on the floor and ate very little. He made an 1,800-mile pilgrimage on foot to the Holy Land, carrying with him his one sack of belongings. He made four such pilgrimages to Rome, a mere 900-mile walk each way.

As with many saints, miracles are also attributed to him. One legend relates that he came upon a poor young lady who was a servant to a strict and severe woman. While on an errand to fetch some milk, she accidentally dropped her jar, breaking it and spilling the milk. Father John had compassion for her, prayed over the jar, and miraculously fixed it. Even the milk was returned. Other stories relate miraculous healings of the sick and the recovery of stolen money. Many more miracles were attributed to his intercession by those who visited his tomb after his death. These later miracles drew pilgrims from across Europe to the university’s Collegiate Church of Saint Anne, where he was buried.

As we honor Saint John Cantius, ponder the fact that his attributes that made him so beloved were his humility, generosity, simplicity, concern for others, and diligence in his daily duty. These are qualities that we can all imitate in our own lives and are qualities that can produce saints. Consider any ways that you struggle with these qualities, and seek to imitate this humble servant of God.

Source: https://mycatholic.life/saints/saints-of-the-liturgical-year/23-december-saint-john-of-kanty-priest–optional-memorial/

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Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini

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Frances was one of thirteen children raised on a farm. She received a convent education, and training as a teacher. She tried to join the order at age 18, but poor health prevented her taking the veil. A priest asked her to teach at a girl‘s school, the House of Providence Orphanage in Cadagono, Italy, which she did for six years. She took religious vows in 1877, and acquitted herself so well at her work that when the orphanage closed in 1880, her bishop asked her to found the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart to care for poor children in schools and hospitals. Pope Leo XIII then sent her to the United States to carry on this mission.

She and six Sisters arrived in New York in 1889. They worked among immigrants, especially Italians. Mother Cabrini founded 67 institutions, including schools, hospitals, and orphanages in the United States, Europe and South America. Like many of the people she worked with, Mother became a United States citizen during her life, and after her death she was the first US citizen to be canonized.

Born

15 July 1850 at Sant’Angelo Lodigiano, Lombardy, Italy

Died

22 December 1917 at Chicago, Illinois, USA of malaria
interred at 701 Fort Washington Avenue, New York, New York, USA

Venerated

21 November 1937 by Pope Pius XI (decree on heroic virtues)

Beatified

13 November 1938 by Pope Pius XI
her beatification miracle involved the restoration of sight to a child who had been blinded by excess silver nitrate in the eyes

Canonized

7 July 1946 by Pope Pius XII
her canonization miracle involved the healing of a terminally ill nun

Patronage

against malaria
emigrants (given on 8 September 1950 by Pope Pius XII)
hospital administrators
immigrants
orphans

Source: https://catholicsaints.info/saint-frances-xavier-cabrini/

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Saint Peter Canisius, Priest and Doctor

Daily Saints

1521–1597; Patron Saint of the Catholic press, Germany, and writers of catechisms; Canonized and declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius XI on May 21, 1925

On October 31, 1517, Father Martin Luther, a German Augustinian monk and theologian, nailed his Ninety-five Theses that criticized various Catholic Church practices to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany. This event is often considered to be the beginning of the Protestant Reformation that threw the Church into turmoil over the next century. Theological debates were fierce, the Church began to splinter, and cities and nations fought, leading to violence and deaths. Though the sixteenth century was chaotic for the faith, many saints emerged to defend the truth and reform the Church. We honor one of those saints today—Saint Peter Canisius.

Pieter Kanis (Peter) was born in the city of Nijmegen, in the Duchy of Guelders of the Holy Roman Empire, modern-day Netherlands. His father was well educated and served as the mayor of the town. Shortly after Peter’s birth, his mother died. In 1536, when Peter was fifteen, his father sent him to the University of Cologne, and for a short time to the University of Louvain, where he studied the arts, civil and canon law, and theology. In Cologne, Peter frequently visited the Cologne Charterhouse of the Carthusian monks of Saint Barbara. Though much of Germany had been thrown into turmoil as a result of the Protestant Reformation, the Cologne Charterhouse remained firmly Catholic. Peter especially learned from the monks a spirituality referred to as Devotio Moderna (Modern Devotion), which emphasized personal conversion, the internalization of faith, prayerful meditation on Christ’s life, simplicity, and humility. This spirituality would become a defining characteristic of Peter’s life and future ministry.

In 1540, at the age of nineteen, Peter received his Master’s Degree of Arts. His father wanted him to marry a wealthy noblewoman, but Peter’s deepening faith led him to make a personal commitment to a life of celibacy. That same year, the future Saints Ignatius of Loyola, Francis Xavier, Peter Faber, and four others co-founded what would become the Society of Jesus, or Jesuits. Over the next two decades, the Jesuits grew to an estimated 1,000 members, founded about thirty-five schools, and became missionaries to non-Christian territories. The Jesuits also played a significant role in the Catholic Counter-Reformation, becoming staunch defenders of the Catholic Church.

In 1543, Peter made a thirty-day retreat with the new Jesuit Father Peter Faber using the Spiritual Exercises written by Father Ignatius of Loyola. The primary goals of the Spiritual Exercises are personal conversion and the discernment of God’s will. They are especially designed to help a person arrive at a major life decision and resolution. Upon the completion of his thirty-day retreat, Peter Kanis discerned a call to enter the Jesuits. It was around that time that Peter began using the Latinized form of his name, Peter Canisius.

In 1545, the Holy Father opened the Council of Trent that helped lay the theological groundwork for the Catholic-Counter Reformation. The council clarified Catholic doctrines that were under attack due to the Protestant Reformation and enacted various reforms that were sorely needed within the Church. The Council of Trent continued to hold sessions until 1563.

In 1546, Peter Canisius was ordained a priest and was asked to attend the Council of Trent as an assistant to Cardinal Otto Truchsess von Waldburg, Bishop of Augsburg. In 1548, Peter went to Rome with Father Ignatius for further studies, and the following year was sent to Sicily where he assisted at the College of Messina, preaching and carrying out humble domestic duties. In 1549, he received his doctoral degree and made his final profession as a Jesuit.

Fully professed, well trained in Catholic doctrine, and intimately united to Christ through a life of personal prayer and devotion, Father Peter Canisius was ready for his life’s mission. At that time, Pope Paul III asked Father Ignatius of Loyola to recommend a Jesuit priest whom he could send to Germany to help renew the Catholic faith that was in turmoil. Father Peter Canisius was chosen. After meeting with the pope, Father Peter went to Saint Peter’s Basilica to pray to Saints Peter and Paul, asking them to make the apostolic blessing he received from the Holy Father permanent, so he could fulfill the daunting task ahead of him. He later wrote in his journal that he sensed great consolation at that moment. He had a conviction that he was being sent as an apostle to Germany, and that the Apostles Peter and Paul would accompany him.

In 1549, Father Peter set out for the Duchy of Bavaria, modern-day southern Germany, where he first served as dean, rector, and vice chancellor of the University of Ingolstadt. He quickly sought to personalize the faith and to win over hearts and minds. His concern for the students and faculty reached far beyond academics and good doctrine. He was also concerned with forming them spiritually, helping them come to know Christ through prayer and the Sacraments.

In 1554, he was asked to become the Bishop of Vienna, but he declined, preferring to continue his Jesuit mission of teaching and preaching. Instead, he served as the interim diocesan administrator for a year where he continued to share his intimate love for Christ and the people by engaging in pastoral work, such as serving in hospitals and prisons. It was there that he also took up the pen and began to write his influential German catechism: Summa Doctrinae Christianae (Summary of Christian Doctrine). This three-volume catechism was written for three different groups of people: theology students, older youth who were educated, and younger youth needing initial instruction. He wrote in a clear, concise, and down-to-earth way, using a question-and-answer format. One of Father Peter’s deep convictions was that those who had left the faith often did so out of ignorance, not out of ill-will. He believed that if their questions were answered with kindness and clarity, the true faith would once again be accepted. Pope Benedict XVI, a German born in 1927, said of these catechisms, “So it was that still in my father’s generation people in Germany were calling the Catechism simply ‘the Canisius.’ He really was the Catechist of Germany for centuries…”

After his time in Vienna, Father Peter worked nonstop. He founded the College of Prague in 1556, served as the first superior of the Jesuits in northern Germany, coordinated a network of Jesuit communities and colleges, was entrusted with diplomatic missions, and continued to contribute to the Council of Trent. In 1580, he moved to Fribourg, Switzerland, where he spent the last seventeen years of his life preaching and writing. His writings were voluminous, flooding Germany with devotionals, theological commentaries, spiritual texts, apologetic works, educational guides, and translations of Latin texts into German. He was so influential that 300 years after his death, Pope Leo XIII proclaimed him the “Second Apostle of Germany” (after Saint Boniface).

As we honor this great apostle of the Catholic faith, ponder the reasons for his success. He loved Christ, and he loved God’s people. He didn’t teach with arrogance or pride. He wasn’t harsh or heavy-handed. Instead, he won hearts as he won minds, gently but clearly leading people back to the faith, introducing them to the Person of Christ, and showing them the way to Heaven. Seek Saint Peter Canisius’ intercession today, praying that you, too, will become an evangelist in his mold. Commit yourself to sharing the Gospel with compassion, while never wavering from the truth.

Source: https://mycatholic.life/saints/saints-of-the-liturgical-year/21-december-saint-peter-canisius-priest-and-doctor–optional-memorial/

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Saint Dominic of Silos

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Dominic was born to a peasant family, he worked as a shepherd in his youth. He was a Benedictine monk at San Millán de Cogolla monastery, a priest, a novice master, and a prior of the house. He was ordered by King Garcia III of Navarre to give him the monastery‘s lands. Dominic refused, and with two of his brother monks was driven from the house by force.

They sought protection from King Ferdinand I of Old Castile. They found a new home in the San Sebastian monastery at Silos, diocese of Burgos where Dominic was appointed abbot. Founded in 954, the house had fallen on hard times, had only six monks, and was in terrible shape physically, financially and spiritually. He turned around the house’s spiritual life, straightened out its finances, rebuilt its structure. The house was soon a spiritual center noted for book design, printed art, its gold and silver work, and charity to the local poor. The rebuilt abbey cloisters survive to today, and are considered a great architectural treasure. He was reported to heal by prayer. He got wealthy patrons to endow the monastery, and raised funds to ransom Christians taken prisoner by the Moors.

Dominic was one of the most beloved of Spanish saints. There were churches and monasteries dedicated to him as early as 1085, and the monastery he rebuilt is now known as Saint Dominic’s. Many miracles were attributed to his prayers after his death, especially with regard to pregnancy. Dominic’s abbatial staff was used to bless Spanish queens and was kept by their beds when they were in labor. Blessed Joan de Aza de Guzmán prayed at his shrine to conceive the child whom she called Dominic, after the abbot of Silos, and who founded the Order of Preachers (the Dominicans).

Born

1000 in Cañas (modern Rioja), Navarre, Spain

Died

10 December 1073 in Silos, Spain of natural causes
on 5 January 1076 his body was translated to the monastery church for veneration

Patronage

against hydrophobia
against insects
against mad dogs
against rabies
captives
pregnant women
prisoners
shepherds

Representation

abbot surrounded by the Seven Virtues
chains, referring to prisoners and slaves
mitred abbot enthroned with a book, a veil tied to his crozier

Source: https://catholicsaints.info/saint-dominic-of-silos/

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Saint Bernanrd Valeara of Teramo

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Bernard was born to the nobility; He was the brother of Blessed Colomba of Mount Brancastello. He was a Benedictine monk at Monte Cassino abbey and a priest Bishop of Teramo, Italy in 1115. He was a known as a zealous reformer, evangelist, and for his charity.

Born

c.1050 in the castle of Pagliara near Castelli, Isola del Gran Sasso, Teramo, Abruzzo, Italy

Died

19 December 1122 of natural causes
buried in the chapel of Saint Anne in the Old Cathedral of Teramo, Italy
relics transferred to the new cathedral in 1174
relics transferred to a chapel devoted to Saint Bernard in 1776

Patronage

Teramo, Italy, city of
Teramo-Atri, Italy, diocese of

Source: https://catholicsaints.info/saint-bernard-valeara-of-teramo/

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Saint Gatianus of Tours

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Gatianus was a spiritual student of Saint Dionysius of Paris. Gatianus brought Christianity to Tours, France in the 4th century, founded the diocese, and served as the its first bishop. However, his good work faded after his death. When Saint Martin arrived in Tours, he found that there were no Christians, but local lore spoke much about Gatianus, the man who brought the Gospel that the people no longer understood. Martin found Gatianus’ burial site, and always venerated his predecessor.

Pious legend says that Gatianus was one of the shepherds to whom the angels appeared at Jesus’ birth, but that is, after all, only a pious legend.

Born

3rd century, probably in Rome, Italy

Died

20 December 301 at Tours, France
relics destroyed by Protestants in 1562

Canonized

Pre-Congregation

Patronage

in France
– Amiens, city of
– Tours, archdiocese of
– Tours, city of

Representation

bishop scattering seed, emblematic of spreading the faith
bishop in a cave with his parishioners; apparently that’s where he started conducting Mass
with Saint Dionysius of Paris

Source: https://catholicsaints.info/saint-gatianus-of-tours/

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Saint Lazarus of Bethany

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Lazarus was the brother of Saint Martha and Saint Mary of Bethany. He was the man whom Jesus raised from the dead after having been dead and in his tomb for four days. The Bible does not trace his history after the miracle, but tradition says he became a missionary to Gaul, the first bishop of Marseilles, France, and a martyr in the persecutions of Domitian.

Died

beheaded in the 1st century in a cave near Marseilles, France
some relics remain in Marseilles
some relics later enshrined in the Cathedral of Saint Lazare, Autun, France

Canonized

Pre-Congregation

Patronage

gravediggers
homemakers
Cyprus
in France
– Aix-en-Provence
– Autun, city of
– Autun – Châlon-sur-Saône – Mâcon – Cluny, diocese of
– Marseille, archdiocese of
– Marseille, city of
San Lazzaro di Sarzana, Italy

Source: https://catholicsaints.info/saint-lazarus-of-bethany/

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Saint Adelaide of Burgundy

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Adelaide was born a princess, the daughter of King Rudolf II (Rupert II) of Upper Burgundy. She was promised at age two in an arranged marriage as part of a treaty between Rudolf and Hugh of Provence. She was married at age 16 to Lothair of Italy, who eventually became king of Italy. She was widowed in 950 while still a teenager; Lothair was probably poisoned by his successor to the throne, Berengarius. As part of his attempt to solidify his grip on power, Berengarius ordered Adelaide to marry his son; she refused, and was imprisoned. She was freed soon after when the German king, Otto the Great, defeated Berengarius.

Adelaide married Otto in Pavia, Italy in 951. He was crowned Emperor in Rome, Italy in 952, and Adelaide reigned with him for 20 years. Widowed in 973, she was ill-treated by her step-son, Emperor Otto II and his wife Theophano, but eventually reconciled with her royal in-laws.

When Otto II died in 983, he was succeeded by his infant son, Otto III. Theophano acted as regent, and since she still did not like Adelaide, used her power to exile her from the royal court. Theophano died in 991, and Adelaide returned once again to the court to act as regent for the child emperor. She used her position and power to help the poor, to evangelize, especially among the Slavs, and to build and restore monasteries and churches. When Otto III was old enough, Adelaide retired to the convent of Selta near Cologne, a house she had built. Though she never became a nun, she spent the rest of her days there in prayer.

Born

c.931 in the kingdom of Burgundy, Holy Roman Empire (modern Burgundy, France)

Died

16 December 999 at the monastery of Selta (Seltz), Alsace of natural causes

Canonized

1097 by Pope Urban II

Patronage

abuse victims
against in-law problems
brides
empresses
exiles
parenthood
parents of large families
people in exile
princesses
prisoners
second marriages
step-parents
victims of abuse
widows
–
Cluny, France

Representation

empress dispensing alms and food to the poor, often beside a ship
escaping from prison in a boat
holding a church
veil

Source: https://catholicsaints.info/saint-adelaide-of-burgundy/

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Saint Virginia Centurione Bracelli

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Virginia was the daughter of Giorgio Centurione, and imposing and controlling individual who became the Doge of Genoa, and Lelia Spinola. She was raised in a pious family and felt drawn to religious life as a child. However, due to family position, she agreed to an arranged marriage to Gasparo Grimaldi Bracelli on 10 December 1602. He was a drinker, a gambler, and though the couple had two daughters, Lelia and Isabella, he was little of a father or husband. Virginia was widowed on 13 June 1607 after five years of marriage, aged 20, and with two small children.

Virginia moved in with her in-laws, cared for her children, and dedicated her free time to prayer and charity. When her daughters were grown and married, Virginia devoted herself entirely to caring for the sick, aged, and abandoned children. In late 1624 and early 1625, war in the region led to many orphans, some whom Virginia took in and cared for. She worked with refugees in the town as well. When her mother-in-law died in August 1625, Virginia poured herself into the work, turning her house into a refuge and found the Cento Signore della Misericordia Protettrici dei Poveri di Gesù Cristo.

Her house was overrun with the needy during a plague and famine in 1629 – 1630. To house them all, Virginia rented the vacant convent of Monte Calvario and moved her charges there in 1631. Due to crowding, extra housing was built in 1634, Virginia was soon caring for 300 patients, and in 1635 she received official government recognition for her hospital. Virginia worked closely with the young women in her houses, teaching them religion and ways to earn a living.

The expenses of Monte Calvario were excessive, so Virginia bought two villas and started construction of a church dedicated to Our Lady of Refuge. It became the mother church of the Institution, whose Rule was written between 1644 and 1650 and which was divided into two congregations: Suore di Nostra Signora del Rifugio di Monte Calvario (Sisters of Our Lady of Refuge in Mount Calvary) and Figlie di Nostra Signora al Monte Calvario (Daughters of Our Lady on Mount Calvary). When the group of Protectors, the superiors and governors of the Institute was selected in 1641, Virginia retired from administration, working as the humblest sister, doing chores on the grounds and begging for alms for the Institute.

Sadly, though the Institute was a success, healing the sick, educating children, training adults, and helping the dissolute return to productive lives, personal and financial assistance began to decline. Without the chance to work with Virginia, many of the middle and upper class did not participate, fearing the poor and rough residents. Though her health was failing, Virginia returned to active administrative duties. She worked for general spiritual development throughout the region, working for the choice of the Blessed Virgin Mary as patron of the republic of Genoa in 1637, for the institution of the Forty Hours’ Devotion in 1642, and the revival of home missions in 1643. She acted as peacemaker between noble houses, and aided in the reconciliation of Church and Republic authorities in 1647, ending a dispute caused by the government abandoning support of the Institute. Virginia continued working up to the end of her days, and in later years received the gifts of visions and interior locutions.

Born

2 April 1587 in Genoa, Italy

Died

15 December 1651 in Genoa, Italy of natural causes

Beatified

22 September 1985 by Pope John Paul II

Canonized

18 May 2003 by Pope John Paul II at Vatican Basilica

Patronage

Sisters of Our Lady of Refuge in Mount Calvary

Source: https://catholicsaints.info/saint-virginia-centurione-bracelli/

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Saint John of the Cross, Priest and Doctor

Daily Saints

c. 1542–1591; Patron Saint of contemplatives, mystical theology, and Spanish poets; Canonized by Pope Benedict XIII on December 27, 1726; Declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius XI in 1926; Commonly referred to as the “Mystical Doctor”

Juan de Yepes y Álvarez was born in Fontiveros, Ávila, Spain. His family descended from Jewish converts who settled in Fontiveros. His father, Gonzalo, was an accountant who worked for relatives who were involved in the silk trade. In 1529, Gonzalo married Catalina who was poor and an orphan. Gonzalo’s wealthy family did not receive the news well. As a result, he was shunned by his relatives and no longer able to work as their accountant. Therefore, Gonzalo joined his new bride in her trade of weaving to support his own family. Gonzalo and Catalina had three boys: Francisco, Luis, and Juan.

In 1545, when Juan was only three years old, his father died, leaving Catalina to raise and provide for their boys, a difficult responsibility for a widow at that time. She sought assistance from Gonzalo’s family but was rejected. Therefore, she and her boys lived in destitution. Two years after Gonzalo’s death, Luis died of malnutrition. Eventually, Catalina took Francisco and Juan and moved to Medina del Campo, a larger city, and resumed her work as a weaver.

In Medina, Juan was able to attend a boarding school for poor children. He received a basic education, housing, and food. Juan proved to be an excellent student and, in 1559, was invited to study at the nearby newly founded Jesuit school at the age of seventeen. With the Jesuits, Juan studied the humanities, grammar, rhetoric, Latin, and Greek. Four years later, in 1563, he entered the Carmelite Order, taking the name John of Saint Matthias.

John made his profession as a Carmelite in 1564 and subsequently received special permission from his superiors to follow the ancient Carmelite rule to the letter, rather than embrace the various changes to the rule that occurred over the years. After his professions, he was sent to study theology and philosophy at the prestigious university in Salamanca. There he excelled in his studies and was known for his intelligence and insights. At the end of his studies, John had second thoughts about his vocation as a Carmelite, preferring instead to live a more contemplative life. As a result, he decided that he would enter the Carthusians once he was ordained. John was ordained a priest in 1567.

Father John returned to Medina to offer his first Mass. However, his intention to join the Carthusians all changed after meeting the Carmelite nun Teresa of Ávila. Mother Teresa was a reformer of the Carmelite Order and was in Medina to found a new convent. While there, she heard of the newly ordained priest, Father John, and attended his first Mass. Later, she spoke to him about her ideas on reforming the Carmelites in hopes that he would become her first friar in the reform. Father John was intrigued and accepted her invitation to remain a Carmelite and assist her with the new reforms, reviving the ancient rule.

After returning with Mother Teresa to Valladolid, he participated in a period of formation under her guidance and founded the first house for friars, along with two other Carmelite brothers. This first house began formally on November 28, 1568. Father John gave up his old name and took on the new name of Father John of the Cross. As more friars joined them, Father John, now the subprior and novice master, moved to a larger house in nearby Alcalá where he also became the rector of the university.

In May of 1572, Mother Teresa asked him to move to Ávila to become the spiritual director for the sisters at the Monastery of the Incarnation. He remained there for five years, working closely with the sisters and growing deep in his own spiritual life. He was especially blessed to act as spiritual director to Mother Teresa who, in many ways, acted as a spiritual guide to him. Shortly after his arrival in 1572, Mother Teresa entered into the spiritual transformation of the Divine Union while Father John acted as her spiritual director. At times, their conversations led both of them into ecstasy as the Holy Spirit worked powerfully in their lives and through their spiritual friendship.

Sadly, politics had its place in the Church at that time, and there were some who did not like the idea of reforming the Carmelite order. In January of 1576, Father John was arrested for the first time by the more contemporary and well-established Carmelites of the Observance. They wanted to end the reforms of Father John and Mother Teresa and their Discalced Carmelites (meaning those who wore sandals rather than shoes). His arrest was quickly ended by the intervention of the papal nuncio, Nicolás Ormaneto, who was favorable toward the reforms of the Discalced Carmelites. However, the following year, in June of 1577, the nuncio died. A new nuncio was appointed who was not in favor of the reforms. In December of that year, Father John was once again arrested by the Carmelites of the Observance and put in prison in their monastery in Toledo, where he remained for nine months.

After Father John’s arrest, the Provincial ordered him to “repent” of his reforms and to return to the monastery in Medina. Father John refused to do so, arguing that he was not bound by the Provincial’s demands, since he had received permission for his work on the reform from the nuncio Ormaneto while he was alive. As a result, Father John was judged as being rebellious and willfully disobedient to their authority and was imprisoned in a six-by-ten-foot dungeon cell.

During the nine months of his imprisonment, Father John was regularly abused by the friars in attempts to get him to “repent.” He was given no change of clothing, very little food, endured a severe case of lice, and had only his breviary to read. He endured the severe cold of the winter and the heat of the summer in the small dark cell that had only one small window high up on the wall. However, it was during this time of abuse that some of the greatest spiritual treasures to fill our Church were born. Father John, in the darkness of this prison, composed numerous poems, including Dark Night of the Soul and portions of the Spiritual Canticle. God did not allow this abuse to go fruitless. Father John grew deep in the spiritual life and entered into interior freedom through his prayer and surrender to God.

In August of 1578, it is said that God miraculously enabled Father John to escape at night “in the darkness,” as his poem relates, and find refuge with Mother Teresa’s sisters in Toledo. Eventually, he escaped to Santa Cruz, where he was cared for secretly and nursed back to full health. Over the coming years, his prison experience, the poems he composed, and his life of deep prayer and study prepared him to write four of the greatest works on mystical theology the Church has ever known: Ascent to Mount Carmel, Dark Night of the Soul, Living Flame of Love, and Spiritual Canticles. Each book was a commentary on the mystical poems he had composed. The poems themselves are considered to be among the most beautiful poems written in the Spanish language.

During the year after Father John escaped imprisonment, the Discalced Carmelites did all they could to regularize their situation within the larger Carmelite order and within the Church. Though the new nuncio tried to stop them, the king intervened. In April of 1579, a new provincial was appointed to oversee the Discalced Carmelites and to assist them with their reforms. In 1580, the Holy See allowed the Discalced Carmelites to enjoy independence from the Carmelites of the Observance, and Father John was appointed as prior of one of the new monasteries. Mother Teresa died in 1582. In 1585, the Discalced Carmelites were given even greater independence from the Carmelites of the Observance when they were established as an independent province. Father John was elected Vicar Provincial.

The charisms of this reform in which Father John and Mother Teresa were so instrumental included the following: 1) a strong Marian devotion, 2) a daily plan carefully set forth to maintain a life of continual prayer, and 3) a strict rule of enclosure focused on the asceticism of solitude, manual labor, perpetual abstinence, fasting, and fraternal charity. Many were attracted to this new strict Carmelite life. Therefore, monasteries of both nuns and friars continued to be founded.

Father John continued to found monasteries and oversee the reform until September of 1591, when he developed gangrene on his leg. He went to a monastery in Ubeda to receive care for his illness. Instead, the superior treated him coldly, arguing that Father John was a burden to the monastery. On December 13, just hours before his death, Father John called the prior to his cell and humbly begged his forgiveness for being a burden. This act of humility completely transformed the prior who was overwhelmed by Father John’s sanctity. At midnight, the saintly friar went home to Heaven to his Beloved to sing Matins with the angels, thus completing his mystical journey to divine union.

Saint John of the Cross endured many trials throughout his life, but God used those trials as a foundation for the spiritual formation he would provide to the Church through his masterful mystical theology. It could be argued that no one has captured the depths of the spiritual life, leading us to Divine Union and Mystical Marriage, better than Saint John of the Cross. He did not shy away from describing, in great detail, the interior purifications a soul must endure on that journey to complete freedom.

As we honor that great saint and mystical doctor of the Church, ponder the profound spiritual truth—that complete union with God is an ongoing process that requires total surrender, interior purgations of the senses and spirit, mortification, and mystical annihilation. Though these concepts are deep and utterly otherworldly, they are beautiful truths that the Church continues to uphold. Allow Saint John to inspire you to go deeper in your faith journey so that your divine union will evolve and blossom into the glorious life God desires for you.

Source: https://mycatholic.life/saints/saints-of-the-liturgical-year/14-december-saint-john-of-the-cross-priest-and-doctor–memorial/

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Saint John of the Cross, Priest and Doctor

c. 1542–1591; Patron Saint of contemplatives, mystical theology, and Spanish poets; Canonized by Pope Benedict XIII on December 27, 1726; Declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius XI in 1926; Commonly referred to as the “Mystical Doctor”

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