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John of the Cross Quotes

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John of the Cross, also known as Saint John of the Cross, was a 16th-century Spanish Catholic mystic, theologian, poet, and friar, considered a significant figure in the Franciscan Order. He was born on June 24, 1542, and died on December 14, 1591.

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Famous John of the Cross Quotes

“When a soul has advanced so far on the spiritual road as to be lost to all the natural methods of communing with God; when it seeks Him no longer by meditation, images, impressions, nor by any other created ways, or representations of sense, but only by rising above them all, in the joyful communion with Him by faith and love, then it may be said to have found God of a truth, because it has truly lost itself as to all that is not God, and also as to its own self.”

Way May Said Soul Self Spiritual Found Lost Natural Meditation Truth Is And Love Method Impression Rising Joyful Representation Communion Rise Above Faith And Love

Author:John of the Cross

“A Christian should always remember that the value of his good works is not based on their number and excellence, but on the love of God which prompts him to do these things.”

Love Should Christian Remember Spiritual Values Numbers Excellence True Love God Love Good Work Prompts Christian Love

Book:The dark night of the soul

Source: The dark night of the soul

“Contemplation is nothing else but a secret, peaceful, and loving infusion of God, which, if admitted, will set the soul on fire with the Spirit of love.”

Ifs Soul Spiritual Spirit Secret Fire Peaceful Contemplation Infusion Soul On Fire

Book:The Collected Works of St John of the Cross: The Dark Night of the Soul, Spiritual Canticle of the Soul and the Bridegroom Christ, the Liv

Source: The Collected Works of St John of the Cross: The Dark Night of the Soul, Spiritual Canticle of the Soul and the Bridegroom Christ, the Liv

“He who interrupts the course of his spiritual exercises and prayer is like a man who allows a bird to escape from his hand; he can hardly catch it again.”

Men Hands Christian Spiritual Courses Religious Prayer Exercise Bird

Book:The Collected Works of St. John of the Cross, Volume II: The Dark Night of the Soul, Spiritual Canticle of the Soul and the Bridegroom Christ, the LIV

Source: The Collected Works of St. John of the Cross, Volume II: The Dark Night of the Soul, Spiritual Canticle of the Soul and the Bridegroom Christ, the LIV

“For true devotion must issue from the heart, and consist in the truth and substances alone of what is represented by spiritual things; all the rest is affection and attachment proceeding from imperfection; and in order that one may pass to any kind of perfection it is necessary for such desires to be killed.”

Heart Kind May Spiritual Desire Order Issues Perfection Affection Devotion Substance Attachment Imperfection Proceeding

Book:Dark Night of the Soul: (Authentic Original Classic)

Source: Dark Night of the Soul: (Authentic Original Classic)

“Never relax, for you will not attain to the possession of true spiritual delights if first you do not learn to deny your every desire.”

Ifs Firsts Spiritual Desire Delight Possession Deny Relax Attachment

Author:John of the Cross