Saint Who?
Saints Who Were Close to Nature
Saint John of the Cross
Priest and Doctor († 1591) Feast: December 14
John de Yepes, now known as John of the Cross, is one of the greatest mystics in the history of the Church. He faced many hardships during his forty-nine years of life. His father died when he was a child, he grew up in desperate poverty, he was physically beaten by other Carmelites for his attempts to reform the order, and he was the victim of slander in his final years of life. Yet he patiently accepted these painful crosses with the peace of Christ.
John was a master of the mystical life. He wrote profound spiritual poetry as well as letters to carefully explain its meaning. Although his canonization process was delayed because of the lies spread by his enemies, he was eventually declared both a saint and a Doctor of the Church.
As a Carmelite priest, John spent a great deal of time praying in church. But people also noticed his great love of nature. He loved to pray in the countryside and feel the earth beneath his feet as he worked in the convent garden. He often spoke eloquently to others about the beauty of the nighttime sky, the trees of the forest, or a simple flower. For John, nature is constantly telling us about God and his love for us.
God of love, give us eyes to see your love for us
in all the works you have created.
