Poetry of st john of the cross audio book saint john of the cross 1542 1591, translated by david lewis 1814 1895 the poems of st john of. John of the cross is considered one of spanish literatures most important poets, and his works have been translated many times since his death. He was born at hontoveros, old castile, 24 june, 1542. In the 20th century, poets john frederick nims and willis barnstone translated the poetry of st. St john of the cross poems st john of the cross famous poems from poetry. John of the cross he soars on the wings of divine love. May 09, 2016 st john of the cross book dark night of the soul is basically a commentary on this poem, which is allegorical, without denying its mystic erotic sensuality after all the mystics affirm that the verb knowing in knowing god is the same as that used for knowing one another in marriage. Passionate, ecstatic, and spiritual, his poems are a. John of the cross form at once the most grandiose and the most melodious spiritual canticle to which any one man has ever given utterance. A spiritual canticle of the soul and the bridegroom christ by st. John of the cross john of the cross poems best poems. St john of the cross poems pdf the stanzas expounded by the saint are taken from the same poem in the two.
In our heavenly fathers eyes, we are members of the body of christ. John became a carmelite monk at medina del campo, spain. Teresa benedicta edith stein saint elizabeth of the trinity. St john of the cross selected major poetry a new freely downloadable translation. The complete works of saint john of the cross, of the order of our lady of mount carmel by john of the cross, saint, 15421591. A translation of poetry exceptfor the occasional miraclemaylead to evenmore despair, since it is well known that poetry cannot be translated. St john of the cross book dark night of the soul is basically a commentary on this poem, which is allegorical, without denying its mystic erotic sensuality after all the mystics affirm that the verb knowing in knowing god is the same as that used for knowing one another in marriage. St john is one of the roman catholic doctors of the church, was a reformer of the carmelite order, and cofounder with st. John of the cross two poems by the spanish mystic who found meaning in the dark night of the soul. Printable pdf version of this study saint john of the cross 15421591 is probably the most distinguished of all the christian mystics. Read in english by ed humpal the poems of st john of the cross, with their mystic depth and spiritual ecstasy, stand among the worlds great poems of divine love in all traditions. This poem of forty stanzas tells the story of the souls search for christ. The poems of st john of the cross, with their mystic depth and spiritual ecstasy, stand among the worlds great poems of divine love in all traditions. St john of the cross seven spiritual poems a new freely.
Juan, at age 18, began to study with the jesuits and entered the carmelite order in 1563. A spiritual canticle of the soul and the bridegroom christ. Collected here in this omnibus edition are all three of st. Librivox recording of poetry of st john of the cross by saint john of the cross. John of the cross is known especially for his writings. Without support yet with support, living without light, in darkness, i am wholly being consumed. Nov 26, 20 excerpts from the mystical love poem, song of the soul and the bridegroom, by st. The author himself did not give any title to his poem, on which he wrote two booklength commentaries. He is the patron of contemplatives, mystics and spanish poets and his feast day is celebrated on december 14. John of the cross was produced to mark the fourth centenary of the death of st.
John of the cross 5 widow on behalf of her small children, one of whom, the second eldest, died within a few years of gonzalo, leaving catalina with john and his eldest brother francisco. A gloss with spiritual meaning poem st john of the. John of the cross poetry reflections part 1 one dark night. John of the cross christian history christianity today. Which treats of the substantial words that come interiorly to the spirit. Excerpts from the mystical love poem, song of the soul and the bridegroom, by st. Why is it that those who are the holiest suffer the most. Though only four stanzas, this sublime and compelling message illumines our passage through the labyrinth of personal karma and prepares us for the divine encounter. St john of the cross poems st john of the cross famous poems from. The result is an english translation of his writings that preserves the authentic meaning of the great mystics writings, presents them as clearly as possible, and at the same time. A sequel and continuation of ascent of mount carmel, the dark night of the. John of the cross major works as well as twenty of his magnificent poems.
Poetry of st john of the cross full audiobook youtube. The ascent of mount carmel is the third major work of st. John of the cross 1542 1551 saint, priest, doctor of the church d i. John of the cross the dark night the spiritual canticle the living flame of love read very slowly through the above poems not all in one session. Passionate, ecstatic, and spiritual, his poems are a blend of exquisite lyricism and profound mystical thought. John of the cross and is considered to be the introductory work on mystical theology.
The stanzas expounded by the saint are taken from the same poem in the two treatises. Preparation for undersfanding the symbolical character of nigh t a st. But today john of the cross, as he came to be called, is remembered as one of historys most influential spiritual guides. Dark night of the soul introduction somewhat reluctantly, out of respect for a venerable tradition, we publish the dark night as a separate treatise, though in reality it is a continuation of the ascent of mount carmel and fulfils the. The active night has left the senses and faculties well. John of the cross, john frederick nims presents his superlative translation of the complete poems, recreating the lyrical fervor of st. Both his poetry and his studies on the growth of the soul are considered the summit of mystical spanish literature and one of the peaks of all spanish literature.
It is perhaps not an exaggeration to say that the verse and prose works combined of st. 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. St john of the cross st john of the cross poems poem. Top 25 quotes by john of the cross of 83 az quotes. A christian should always remember that the value of his good works is not based on their number and excellence, but on the love of. John of the cross stands as one of the most important mystical philosophers in christian history. John of the cross and the spiritual colloquies between christ and. Introduction to the living flame of love prologue stanza 1 stanza 1 2436 stanza 2 stanza 2 26 stanza 3 stanza 3 2546 stanza 3. Saint john of the cross in the evening of life, we will be judged on love alone.
John of the cross, carmelite friar and priest during the counter reformation, not just as an iconic spiritual figure, but also one of spanish literature. This contains the dark night, spiritual canticle, living flame of love, a number of poems by st. I feel that my early life damaged my chances to move forward. It is a poem about a shepherd boy who grieves that his beloved shepherdess has forsaken and forgotten him. Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me mark 8. John of the cross is one most appropriate as a meditation for these last days of advent, since it is one of his few works that takes up the themes of advent and christmas. John of the cross the poet b historical background of night as symbol. Introduction to the living flame of love prologue stanza 1 stanza 1 2436 stanza 2 stanza 2 26 stanza 3 stanza 3 2546 stanza 3 4767 stanza 3 6885 stanza 4. Sep 04, 2014 poetry of st john of the cross audio book saint john of the cross 1542 1591, translated by david lewis 1814 1895 the poems of st john of the cross, with their mystic depth and spiritual. From ccel, this book provides a hauntingly beautiful, profound, and mystical account of christian spirituality. This document has been generated from xsl extensible stylesheet langua ge source with renderx xep formatter, version 3. This document has been generated from xsl extensible stylesheet language source with renderx xep formatter, version 3. John is a saint because his life was a heroic effort to live up to his name.
The complete works of saint john of the cross, of the order of our lady of mount carmel. Ascent of mount carmel subida del monte carmelo and the dark night noche oscura. The dark night is perceived by mystics and practicing monks from several religions to be a blessing in disguise, whereby the individual is stripped in the dark night of the senses of the spiritual ecstasy associated with acts of virtue. Dark night of the soul by saint john of the cross free ebook. A gloss with spiritual meaning poem st john of the cross. John of the cross to emily dickinson, who likewise did not seek widespread distribution of her poetry in her lifetime. The living flame of love, also by saint john of the cross, is a powerful poem spoken by a rare spirit inwardly transformed by the fire of divine love. Describes the difference between them and formal words, and the profit which they bring and the resignation and respect which the soul. John of the cross can teach us today about growth in holiness and discernment. Ascent of mount carmel catholic spiritual direction. Ecstasy can be described as god briefly taking the soul out of the body and holding it in the palm of his hand in an intimate encounter. The living flame of love stanzas which the soul recites in the intimate union with god, its beloved bridegroom o living flame of love that tenderly wounds my soul in its deepest center.
St john is one of the roman catholic doctors of the church, was a reformer of the carmelite order, and cofounder with st teresa of avila of the discalced carmelites. A sequel and continuation of ascent of mount carmel, the dark night of the soul is a spiritually moving and mystical book. The folly of the cross came to full realization in time. Stages of spiritual development and discernment pope john paul the great retreat, 2011. His father died when he was very young, leaving his mother to raise him alone. John of the cross describes his experience of going through the process of ecstasy while in a state of contemplative prayer. My soul is disentangled from every created thing and lifted above itself in a life of gladness supported only in god. Read in english by ed humpal the poems of st john of the cross, with their mystic depth and spiritual ecstasy. The commentary upon the second, however, is very different from that upon the first, for it assumes a much more advanced state of development. John of the cross preface to the electronic edition this electronic edition v 0. The complete works of saint john of the cross, of the order. The complete works of saint john of the cross, of the. Dark night of the soul describes the painful experiences and their significance on the spiritual journey of st.
602 384 463 45 935 368 982 197 134 801 39 704 982 516 1397 1083 1347 1456 1228 112 785 21 632 304 1216 592 1464 1077 572 472 225 350 168