14th December - Saint John of the Cross - Independent Catholic News

14th December - Saint John of the Cross - Independent Catholic News: Carmelite friar, and one of Spain's foremost poets, mystics and theologians. St John was born in Toledo in 1542 to a noble but poor family. His was brought up by his mother, went to a poor school, and was then apprenticed to a silk weaver. He had little aptitude for this trade and in 1563 joined the Carmelites. He studied theology and was ordained priest in 1567. St Theresa of Avila persuaded him to join the Discalced Reformed