Saint John of the Cross
- Feast
- 14 December
- Patron of
- contemplatives, mystics and Spanish poets
Born Juan de Yepes in 1542 at Fontiveros in Castile, John grew up poor and became a Carmelite friar. Teresa of Ávila drew him into her reform of the order, and in 1568 he helped found its first house of friars. He died at Úbeda in Andalusia in 1591, was canonised in 1726, and is a Doctor of the Church.
In 1577 friars opposed to the reform locked him in a tiny cell in Toledo, where he composed much of the Spiritual Canticle before escaping some nine months later. His poems and commentaries, including The Dark Night, teach that God is found through darkness and letting go. He is shown in the brown and white Carmelite habit, often with a cross or a quill.
For someone who finds prayer dry or God far away, John of the Cross knew that darkness from the inside and wrote some of the finest poetry in Spanish about it. A good patron for a quiet, thoughtful reader.
The print of Saint John of the Cross
Questions
When is the feast of Saint John of the Cross?
The feast of Saint John of the Cross is kept on 14 December.
What is Saint John of the Cross the patron saint of?
Saint John of the Cross is the patron saint of contemplatives, mystics and Spanish poets.
Is Saint John of the Cross a good confirmation saint?
For someone who finds prayer dry or God far away, John of the Cross knew that darkness from the inside and wrote some of the finest poetry in Spanish about it. A good patron for a quiet, thoughtful reader.
Is Saint John of the Cross the patron saint of people named John?
Yes. Saint John of the Cross is the traditional name saint for anyone called John and Juan, and the feast on 14 December is their name day.
Choosing for a confirmation? See Confirmation gifts. Any two Charcoal Saints are 15% off.
Other patron saints
AgnesAnneAnthony of PaduaAugustine of HippoBenedict of NursiaBernadette SoubirousCarlo AcutisCatherine of SienaCeciliaChristopherClare of AssisiDominicDymphnaFaustina KowalskaFrancis of AssisiFrancis XavierGeorgeGerard MajellaGianna Beretta MollaIgnatius of LoyolaJoan of ArcJohn Paul IIJohn the BaptistJosephJosephine BakhitaJuan DiegoJude ThaddeusKateri TekakwithaLucyMartin de PorresMary MagdaleneMaximilian KolbeMichael the ArchangelMonicaNicholasPadre PioPatrickPaulPeregrine LaziosiPeterPier Giorgio FrassatiRita of CasciaSebastianTeresa of ÁvilaTeresa of CalcuttaThérèse of LisieuxThomas AquinasJeromeCatherine of AlexandriaMartin of Tours