The Church celebrates the liturgical feast of St John of the Cross on 14th December. One of the most profound mystic —and the biggest poet in the Spanish language— St John of the Cross’ poems fascinate both believers and indifferent. His works have been translated into more than 50 languages, and are read by Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, and Hindus… Every year several doctorate thesis are published that deal with the relationship between John of the Cross and Islam, Buddhism, Contemporary Poetry, Nihilism, etc. As shocking as it may seem, research has also proved its influence on Protestant Theology, and on the work of Descartes, Pascal, Husserl, Bergson, Bernanos, Bonhoeffer, Nietzsche, Dostoievski, Ghandi, Unamuno, Simone Weil, and Vicente Aleixandre… It is also well known that Pope John Paul II wrote his doctoral thesis on “Faith According to Saint John of the Cross”, and that he used to quote him during his interventions. Manuel Diego Sánchez published in 1993 a volume of “Bibliography of the 4th Centenary of his Death” (including 2142 titles), and in 2000 another book whose title literally means “St John of the Cross. A Systematic Bibliography”. The last one includes 6328 titles on textual, historic, doctrinal and liturgical studies; biographies; and every kind of paper about the saint.

Learn about his life Biography

Learn about his work Writings