A meditation on the Feast of Saint John of the Cross, from Dom Guéranger’s The Liturgical Year.Saint John of the Cross (1542–1591), the great Spanish mystic, reformer, and Doctor of the Church, was born Juan de Yepes in Fontiveros and entered the Carmelite Order, where he soon met St. Teresa of Ávila and joined her in the reform that would become the Discalced Carmelites. A man of profound interior life, he endured severe trials—including imprisonment by opponents of the reform—during which he composed some of his most sublime mystical poetry, such as the Spiritual Canticle. After escaping captivity, he continued guiding souls in the way of contemplative union with God, shaping classic works like The Dark Night of the Soul and The Ascent of Mount Carmel, which articulate the purifying journey toward divine love. Known for his humility, gentleness, and unwavering fidelity to the reform despite misunderstandings and hardships, he died peacefully at Úbeda, leaving a legacy that has become foundational to Christian mysticism and spiritual theology.Dom Prosper Guéranger's The Liturgical Year, a monumental fifteen-volume work, offers a comprehensive exploration of the Catholic Church’s liturgical calendar, guiding readers through the spiritual and historical richness of the Church’s worship. Written in the 19th century, the series provides daily meditations, historical context, and liturgical texts for the Mass and Divine Office, covering the entire cycle of seasons—Advent, Christmas, Lent, Passiontide, Easter, and the Time after Pentecost—as well as feast days of saints. Guéranger’s work, rooted in a deep contemplative spirit, aims to immerse the faithful in the Church’s prayerful life, emphasizing the unity of faith through the axiom lex orandi, lex credendi ("the law of prayer is the law of belief"), and remains a cherished resource for Catholics seeking to deepen their spiritual lives. Dom Prosper Guéranger (1805–1875) was a French Benedictine monk, liturgical scholar, and founder of the Solesmes Abbey, renowned for his pivotal role in reviving the Benedictine Order in France and restoring the Roman liturgy after the disruptions of the French Revolution. Born in Sablé-sur-Sarthe, he entered the priesthood in 1827 and, inspired by a vision to restore monastic life, reestablished the Benedictine community at Solesmes in 1833, becoming its first abbot. A staunch defender of ultramontanism and traditional Catholic worship, he also championed the revival of Gregorian chant, significantly influencing the liturgical renewal movement.Please note: The entries of the Liturgical Year are primarily authored by Dom Prosper Guéranger, but occasionally contain editors’ additions of subsequent information and events that are relevant to the given feast.Link to the Dom Guéranger's Liturgical Year playlist (updated daily, unless a ferial day): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZKdyYnV_bkh7rH6piW0ShgsdcefFoOvJ