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John of the Cross

Type Figure Region Spain Time 1542–1591 Also known as Saint John of the Cross (Chinese form)

A Spanish Carmelite friar, poet and mystic theologian who, with Teresa of Ávila, drove the reform of the Discalced Carmelites;…

Timeline

  1. 1542–1563Fontiveros · ÁvilaBorn in 1542 into a poor family in Fontiveros, he entered the Carmelite monastery at Medina in 1563, receiving strict monastic training and showing a tendency toward mystical spirituality.
  2. 1568–1577Durango · BiscayIn 1568, at Teresa's invitation, he took part in the reform of the Discalced Carmelite male houses, founding the first Discalced Carmelite male house at Durango and serving as prior of the reform faction, establishing male houses across Spain.
  3. 1577–1578Toledo · ToledoIn 1577, amid disputes over the reform, he was imprisoned for about nine months in the Calvaried monastery in Toledo, during which he wrote important poems and spiritual works such as The Dark Night; after escaping in 1578 he continued the reform cause.
  4. 1579–1591Úbeda · JaénFrom 1579 he served as prior of various houses and adviser on the reform, continuing to write works such as The Ascent of Mount Carmel; he died of illness in Úbeda in December 1591, his poetry and spiritual thought becoming classics of Spanish literature and Catholic mysticism.

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