The Inner Wine Cellar

St. John of the Cross is one of Christianity's great spiritual teachers. Poet and theologian, he devoted his life to the glory of God through mental prayer. He left us with masterpieces of literature that also give us practical guidance on the way to union with God, which is the soul's vocation on earth and happy destiny in eternity. With his assistance, we learn to pray more deeply and progress more surely toward our ultimate goal: abundant life in Christ. St. John of the Cross, Pray for us!

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The Joy of Mortification
The Joy of Mortification

The world tells us that the key to happiness is to figure out what you want, and go get it, letting no one stand in your way. Jesus very obviously wants to point us in the opposite direction, away from ourselves.

The Way Of Prayer: Emotional Humility
The Way Of Prayer: Emotional Humility

We must not be proud of our emotional state in times of deep prayer, or ashamed of it, or otherwise preoccupied with it in any way. Our attention must always be on the Lord, not on what we desire for ourselves, or on agreeable or disagreeable feelings.

Unconditional Freedom With St. John Of The Cross
Unconditional Freedom With St. John Of The Cross

We are familiar with the importance of unconditional love. What the saint teaches us, what is perhaps no less important for holiness, is unconditional freedom.

“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

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