Ascent of Mount CarmelCourier Corporation, 2008 M12 9 - 352 pages He was called "the greatest of all mystical theologians" by spiritual teacher Thomas Merton. And when St. John of the Cross was proclaimed to be a Doctor of the Church, Pope Pius XI praised his work as "a guide and handbook for the man of faith who proposes to embrace a life of perfection." The writings of the pious Carmelite priest, as well as those of St. Teresa of Avila, are regarded as the peak of Spanish mysticism. This remarkable guide to the spiritual life stands as his most popular work. Imprisoned in Toledo during the sixteenth century, St. John wrote about his spiritual struggles with a unique poetic vision, illuminating a path for the faithful to grow closer to God. He believed that a spiritual union was open to us, but not before experiencing the confusion and despair of a dark night of the soul. Yet John's words are uplifting, lyrical, and filled with hope for any soul who aspires to the Divine union. By emptying ourselves of earthly distractions—memory, will, and sensual desires—we can make room for the pure light of God's grace. A primer to his Dark Night of the Soul, this acclaimed translation will resonate with modern pilgrims searching for wisdom. |
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according affection affliction apprehensions attain Balaam benefit blessings blind bodily cause CHAPTER children of Israel Christ codices communicated concerning Corinthians creatures dark faith dark night delight described desire detachment Deuteronomy devil Discalced Carmelite Divine union E.p. abbreviates E.p. adds E.p. omits E.p. reads esteem evil eyes faculties faith favours figures find fire first fitting forms fulfilled give God’s grace greater greatly habit heart hinder Holy Spirit images imagination imperfections interior Isaiah kinds of knowledge light likewise locutions Lord manner Matthew means meditation memory mortification Mount Carmel natural naught night of sense pass passively perfect pleasure prayer profit prophet Psalm pure reason receive reflections rejoicing respect revelations Saint sensual signifies Silverio soul soul’s speak spiritual persons suffices supernatural sweetness temporal thee things of sense thou tion treat true truth understanding understood venial sins virtues visions Wherefore wherein whereof wisdom wont words