What is St. John of the Cross known for?
St. John of the Cross (1542–1591), born Juan de Yepes y Álvarez in Úbeda, Spain, was a Carmelite friar, priest, and great mystic. Deeply influenced by St. Teresa of Ávila, he co-founded the Discalced Carmelite reform, seeking a return to strict poverty and silent prayer.
His own “dark night of the soul”—a period of spiritual desolation during unjust imprisonment—became the foundation for his masterpiece, Dark Night of the Soul, along with The Ascent of Mount Carmel. These works map the soul’s journey into intimate union with God through purgation, illumination, and perfect union. Canonized in 1726 and proclaimed a Doctor of the Church in 1926, St. John’s poetry and teachings continue to guide seekers into the depths of divine love.
Short Prayer:
St. John of the Cross, teach us to embrace the dark night as the path to divine light. May your wisdom guide our hearts ever closer to union with Christ. Amen.
| Novena Begins: | December 5 |
| Feast Day: | December 14 |
Patron Saint of of Contemplatives, mystics and Spanish poets
Day 1 – St. John of the Cross Novena
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Almighty Father, you endowed John of the Cross with a spirit of self-denial and a love of the Cross. By following his example, may we come to the eternal vision of your glory.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen
(Mention your request here…)
St. John of the Cross, pray for us.
Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…
Day 2 – St. John of the Cross Novena
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Almighty Father, you endowed John of the Cross with a spirit of self-denial and a love of the Cross. By following his example, may we come to the eternal vision of your glory.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen
(Mention your request here…)
St. John of the Cross, pray for us.
Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…
Day 3 – St. John of the Cross Novena
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Almighty Father, you endowed John of the Cross with a spirit of self-denial and a love of the Cross. By following his example, may we come to the eternal vision of your glory.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen
(Mention your request here…)
St. John of the Cross, pray for us.
Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…
Day 4 – St. John of the Cross Novena
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Almighty Father, you endowed John of the Cross with a spirit of self-denial and a love of the Cross. By following his example, may we come to the eternal vision of your glory.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen
(Mention your request here…)
St. John of the Cross, pray for us.
Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…
Day 5 – St. John of the Cross Novena
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Almighty Father, you endowed John of the Cross with a spirit of self-denial and a love of the Cross. By following his example, may we come to the eternal vision of your glory.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen
(Mention your request here…)
St. John of the Cross, pray for us.
Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…
Day 6 – St. John of the Cross Novena
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Almighty Father, you endowed John of the Cross with a spirit of self-denial and a love of the Cross. By following his example, may we come to the eternal vision of your glory.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen
(Mention your request here…)
St. John of the Cross, pray for us.
Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…
Day 7 – St. John of the Cross Novena
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Almighty Father, you endowed John of the Cross with a spirit of self-denial and a love of the Cross. By following his example, may we come to the eternal vision of your glory.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen
(Mention your request here…)
St. John of the Cross, pray for us.
Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…
Day 8 – St. John of the Cross Novena
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Almighty Father, you endowed John of the Cross with a spirit of self-denial and a love of the Cross. By following his example, may we come to the eternal vision of your glory.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen
(Mention your request here…)
St. John of the Cross, pray for us.
Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…
Day 9 – St. John of the Cross Novena
Let us begin, In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Almighty Father, you endowed John of the Cross with a spirit of self-denial and a love of the Cross. By following his example, may we come to the eternal vision of your glory.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen
(Mention your request here…)
St. John of the Cross, pray for us.
Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…
Leave us your prayers…