The Inner Wine Cellar

A place of prayer, and life in Jesus Christ, through the spirituality of St. John of the Cross

Featured Posts

Blog
The Bitterness Of The Dark Night
The Bitterness Of The Dark Night

Many people experiencing aridity for the first time may mistakenly think they are somehow failing at prayer. St. John of the Cross tells us that aridity is not a sign of backsliding but of progress; it is exactly that process by which God draws the soul away from childish pleasures to the hard work of purification. 

The Hope Of St. John Of The Cross
The Hope Of St. John Of The Cross

The hope of a Christian confronts every trial, even death itself. Christian hope does not just raise our spirits; it raises a battle flag against all the troubles of this life.

The Way Of Prayer: Don’t Turn Back
The Way Of Prayer: Don’t Turn Back

We must be patient with heaven, and stubborn with hell.

“You do very well, O soul, to seek Him ever as one hidden, for you exalt God immensely and approach very near Him when you consider Him higher and deeper than anything you can reach.”

St. John of the Cross, The Spiritual Canticle, Stanza 1.12

Topics