The Feast of St John of the Cross/Juan de la Cruz, Spanish Carmelite mystic, 1542 - 1591, and friend of our friend Teresa of Avila, also a Carmelite also a mystic, also a companion of many, and author of the book The Dark Night of the Soul

               Canticle 16      

      Zechariah’s song at the 

  birth of his son, another John          

In the tender 

compassion 

of our God, 

the dawn 

from on high 

shall break 

upon us

                     "An 

                   instant  

                   of 

                   pure

                   love

                   is more 

                    precious 

                    in the eyes 

                   of God… 

                   and more 

                   profitable in the church 

                   than all other good works together,

                   though  it may seem as if nothing were done.”

1.