John of the Cross

St. John of the Cross (Spanish: Juan de la Cruz; Latin: Ioannes a Cruce; né Juan de Yepes y Álvarez; 24 June 1542 – 14 December 1591) was a Spanish Catholic priest, mystic, and Carmelite friar. He is a major figure of the Counter-Reformation in Spain, and he is one of the 38 Doctors of the Church.

Influenced by the older Carmelite nun Teresa of Ávila, he was instrumental in the founding of the Discalced Carmelites, who wished to return to the stricter observances of the original Carmelite rule.

He is also widely known for his writings. Both his poetry and his studies on the development of the soul are considered the summit of mystical Christian literature and among the greatest works of all Spanish literature. His formulation of the spiritual life into the purgative, illuminative, and unitive ways, separated by the dark nights of sense and soul, has been highly influential in the Catholic spiritual tradition.

He was canonized by Pope Benedict XIII in 1726. In 1926, he was declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius XI, and is also known as the "mystical doctor."