St John of the Cross (Memorial)

Today, Fr Paul reads from Matthew’s Gospel (21: 23-27) in which the chief priests and elders question the authority of Jesus. He then shares a little about the life of St John of the Cross whose memorial we celebrated today.

John of the Cross was born in Fontiveros, Spain around 1542. He spent some time as a Carmelite friar before, in 1568, St Therese of Avilla convinced him to pioneer the reform of the Carmelite order. This was difficult and dangerous work. He suffered severe punishment and imprisonment at the hands of Church authorities. He died 14 December in 1591.

John’s works include two major mystical poems and detailed commentaries on them and the spiritual truths they contain. John was canonised in 1726 and was declared a Doctor of the Church in 1926.

As we have our reflection today, we might through the intercession of St John of the Cross, ask John to pray for us.