(1542-1591) The “Doctor of Mystical Theology,” Juan de Yepes y Álvarez, was born into poverty in Fontiveros, near Avila, Spain. He spent several years caring for the poor in hospitals before entering the Carmelite Order and becoming a priest. He was about to leave the Carmelites for a stricter order when Saint Teresa of Avila convinced him to help restore the Carmelites. Together, they founded the Order of Discalced (shoeless) Carmelites. John was imprisoned by his own order for nine months before escaping and resuming his reforms.
Saint John of the Cross is the patron of contemplatives and mystics. He is known for his writings on the spiritual life. Have you integrated spiritual reading into your recovery program?
“O you souls who wish to go on with so much safety and consolation, if you knew how pleasing to God is suffering, and how much it helps in acquiring other good things, you would never seek consolation in anything; but you would rather look upon it as a great happiness to bear the Cross of the Lord” (Saint John of the Cross).
Reflection by Brad Farmer