St. John Of The Cross

A Radio Script By Dennis Alberts

St. John of the Cross

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NARR: St. John of the Cross is one of those special saints in the history of the Church whose spiritual journey brought him to a unique and living union with God.

Along this journey, as he distanced himself from material attachments and worldly possessions, he developed a deep spiritual awareness that led him to become one of the great mystics and spiritual writers of the Church which theologians today compare to St. Thomas Aquinas and Augustine.

The story you are about to hear is true and tells of the unique relationship between God and one man who responded to the message of the Gospels.

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NARR: In the mid sixteenth century, Europe was in the midst of turmoil. The Holy Roman Empirehad broken apart and the protestant revolt was building. A counter Reformation was underway to prevent further fragmentation of the Church.

While much of Europe was in disarray, Spain was at the height of its golden age and remained a dominant influence around the world.

John’s father, Don Gonzaldo de Yepes, was a member of the effluent Toledo family whose business was silk. But the prosperity he enjoyed would soon come to an end. Don Gonzaldo de Yepes, met the lovely but desperately poor Catalina Alvarez, a young lady with deep religious faith and striking beauty. This meeting would alter his life and set the stage for the unfolding of an amazing divine plan. Don Gonzaldo desired her hand in marriage. But the marriage was unapproved by the family due to the difference in class background of his bride. As a result, Don Gonzaldo was cast out and disinherited from the family fortune.

True to the predictions of his uncle, Don Gonzalo and Catalina were forced to live in abject poverty. Don Gonzalo had to learn the skill of weaving from his wife to support his family. He accepted his circumstance as the will of God, and never regretted his decision to marry Catalina. They shared their love and trusted totally in the divine providence of God. It was into this is climate that John of the Cross was born on June 24th in the year 1542. God blessed Don Gonzalo and Catalina with three sons. One of those sons, John de Yepes, would one day be known throughout the world as “St. Johnof the Cross.”

Desperate times would grow worse when, at the age of three, John’s father died. After this, John’s mother appealed her husband’s family for financial help, but they refused. She then moved her children to several towns to secure employment and there worked as a weaver of cloth.

During his childhood, it was evident that John was protected by the Blessed Virgin Mary. Twice as a child, she intervened to rescue him from drowning. Later in life, St. John would credit his early devotion to the Mother of the Redeemer for her special intervention.

The family finally settled in Medino del Campo, where John was enrolled in the Colegio de la Doctrina, an institution for orphans and children of the poor, where he attempted several apprenticeships but without much success.

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PRIEST: “John, tomorrow you will be transferred from the Brother who is in charge of carpentry. I don’t think it is for you.”

ST. JOHN: “Yes, Father. I’m sorry. I truly try the very best that I can. I failed at tailoring and carpentry as well as carving. I am not certain what trade I am to do, but I will try.”

PRIEST: “That’s all anyone can ask John. That is all God expects. Soon you’ll find a position that matches your skills. I’ve spoken with the Mother Superior of the Augustinian convent in Magdalena. They’re in need of a sacristan. You would do various functions such as serving at the Altar, running errands and even begging alms. Do you feel this is something you could do? I don’t think you had your heart in your past apprenticeships. Would your heart find a place for work in the Church?”

ST. JOHN: “Father, I would welcome this more than anything. But, could one as poor as I possibly think of becoming a Priest or Brother?”

PRIEST: “John, if you continue making good progress with your studies, and if it is God’s will, there should be no reason for one with your intelligence and gift of the written language, not to serve as a Priest or Brother. Often times, a sponsor can be found to assist with the finances. This is a long road, and should it not be for you, there are other functions, such as sacristan, that you could perform as a layman.”

ST. JOHN: “I’m thankful for this opportunity Father and I’m sure I’ll do well in some capacity for the Church.”

PRIEST: “John, one more bit of advice. You should be less severe with your denials and sacrifices. One can be extreme to the extent that one’s health is damaged.”

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NARR: John did quite well in his studies and excelled in his assignment as sacristan. It was while performing his duties as acolyte that he was spotted by Don Alonso de Toledo, administrator of one of the fourteen hospitals in Medina del Campo. Don Alonso gave John the job of orderly at the Hospital of the Conception serving the victims of the plague and venereal disease. His position required him to perform humbling duties such as begging for alms, and offering personal care for the hospital patients. John accepted these assignments willingly and enthusiastically, and through them, distinguished himself by his kindness to the patients and a genuine concern for the sick.

ALONSO: “Good day, John.”

ST. JOHN: “O, Good day, Senior Alonso. You startled me. I am sorry. I did not see you.”

ALONSO: “That is fine John. I would that all my orderly’s were so diligent in the function of their duties that they did not notice their surroundings.”

ST. JOHN: “The Senior is too kind as always.”

ALONSO: “I do not give idle praise, only where and when it is due. John, I am most impressed by your piety, your gift of the language, and most importantly, your love of the Church and the poor unfortunates you serve. As a result, I’ve decided to allow you to study nearby under the Jesuits.”

ST. JOHN: “Senior,…I…, I..don’t know what to say. This is too much to ask. I can only thank God, our Lady of Carmel and your most generous person. I will study with my utmost and pray for you daily.”

ALONSO: “That is all anyone expects. It will not be easy. I will need you to continue your good work here in the hospital without any let up. You have performed admirably these past seven years. I know you will continue.

Also, John, you are to eat and sleep more. You appear weak and tired often times.”

ST. JOHN: “Yes, Senior.”

NARR: “John pushed himself to his physical limits through diligent study while maintaining his demanding schedule at the hospital. He saw Christ in the suffering of the patients he assisted and offered up the severe physical deprivations he would take on as a prayer for these suffering souls. These began to affect his physical health. But, twice saved from death by the intervention of the Blessed Virgin Mary, he was still under her protection.”

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ST. JOHN: “Even though I am cold and hungry, grant me the strength to sleep on this cold floor Lord, and to… abstain from …food. Help me not to be bothered by this…fever….uh…”

B. MOTHER: “Temperance, my dear son, in your penance. Rise and place a blanket around you then eat the bread on your table. My Son will take care of things so you will sleep through the day tomorrow. Eat and rest, my dear child, eat and rest.”

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NARR: “Don Alonso was pleased with the progress made by John, and was set to sponsor him in his studies for the Priesthood, but John was troubled about his future, and deeply concerned by the responsibilities that would be his. One night, while praying in his room, John was given divine guidance.”

ST. JOHN: “Lord, truly I am not to be one of your Priests. At twenty one, I am but a simple and poor man. I have doubts about having the strength to accept the spiritual burdens of a Priest. One incorrect bit of advice, or perhaps a Mass not said in the most reverential manner, could cause spiritual decline in those in my care. Since all eyes would be on me, would I be able to always set a good example? O Lord, I feel called and compelled to serve your Church. But how?

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ST. JOHN: “Father, is that your answer? Am I to serve you in a religious order? Am I to help bring back the ancient perfection. But, which order? Where?

NARR: “St. John went to sleep that night not knowing his exact direction, but he awoke the following morning with his calling clearly in mind.”

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ST. JOHN: “Thank-you Lord for your answer, and thank-you my most Holy Mother. To the Carmelites at the Monastery of Santa Ana in Medina I will go. They have a great devotion to Our Lady and they are contemplative. Father, grant me success in this endeavor, and be with me as I secretly travel. Send the Holy Spirit to them that I may be accepted.”

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NARR: “John entered Carmelite Order receiving the habit on February 24, 1563. He took the name, ‘John of Matthias’ and obtained permission to follow the original Carmelite rules. In 1567, after further study in Salamanca, John was ordained a priest. At his first Mass, he received assurance from Christ that he would preserve his baptismal innocence.”