John of the Cross
John of the Cross, OCD (Spanish: Juan de la Cruz; Latin: Ioannes a Cruce; born Juan de Yepes y Álvarez; 24 June 1542 – 14 December 1591) was a Spanish Catholic priest, mystic, and Carmelite friar of converso origin. He is a major figure of the Counter-Reformation in Spain, and he is one of the thirty-seven Doctors of the Church.
John of the Cross | |
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Saint John of the Cross, by Zurbaran | |
| Priest, Mystic, Doctor of the Church | |
| Born | Juan de Yepes y Álvarez June 24, 1542 Fontiveros, Ávila, Crown of Castile, Spanish monarchy |
| Died | December 14, 1591 (aged 49) Úbeda, Kingdom of Jaén, Crown of Castile, Spanish monarchy |
| Venerated in |
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| Beatified | 25 January 1675, Rome by Pope Clement X |
| Canonized | 27 December 1726, Rome by Pope Benedict XIII |
| Major shrine | Tomb of Saint John of the Cross, Segovia, Spain |
| Feast | 14 December |
| Attributes | Carmelite habit, cross, crucifix, book, quill |
| Patronage | Spanish poets |
| Influences | Likely Thomas Aquinas, Duns Scotus, Guillaume Durand, Teresa of Ávila Possibly Pseudo-Dionysius, Meister Eckhart, John of Ruysbroeck, Henry Suso, Johannes Tauler |
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| Major works |
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John of the Cross is known for his writings. He was mentored by and corresponded with the older Carmelite, Teresa of Ávila. Both his poetry and his studies on the development of the soul are considered the summit of mystical Spanish literature and among the greatest works of all Spanish literature. He was canonized by Pope Benedict XIII in 1726. In 1926, he was declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius XI, and is also known as the "mystical doctor".