"Spiritual persons ought to be equally ready to experience sweetness and consolation in the things of God, or to suffer and keep their ground in drynesses of spirit and devotion, and for as long as God pleases, without their making any complaint about it."

St Philip Neri

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"The one thing necessary which Jesus spoke of to Martha and Mary consists in hearing the word of God and living by it."

R. Garrigou-Lagrange, OP

* * *

"It is not God's will that we should abound in spiritual delights, but that in all things we should submit to his holy will."

Blessed Henry Suso

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 St John of the Cross   (1542 - 1591)

 

THE SPIRITUAL CANTICLE

by St John of the Cross

CONTENTS

 

Introduction To The Spiritual Canticle

Prologue to the Spiritual Canticle

Stanzas between the Soul and the Bridegroom (The whole canticle)

STANZA 1
The Search for the Beloved (stanzas 1-12).

The initial burst into song; the bride laments the absence of her bridegroom.

First steps of the spiritual journey.

Longings and the weariness of impatient love.

 

STANZA 2

STANZA 3

STANZA 4

STANZA 5

STANZA 6

STANZA 7

STANZA 8

STANZA 9

STANZA 10

STANZA 11

STANZA 12

STANZA 13

Preparations for Perfect Union (stanzas 13-21).

Encounters of loving union. Urgent desires for complete freedom from inner and outer obstacles.
 

STANZAS 14 and 15
STANZA 16
STANZA 17
STANZA 18
STANZA 19
STANZAS 20 and 21
STANZA 22

Full Union (stanzas 22-40).

The mutual, total surrender and gift of self in spiritual marriage.

Comparison of the present with the past.

Delights of union and desires for the vision of glory.


 

STANZA 23
STANZA 24
STANZA 25
STANZA 26
STANZA 27
STANZA 28
STANZA 29
STANZA 30
STANZA 31
STANZA 32
STANZA 33
STANZA 34
STANZA 35
STANZA 36
STANZA 37
STANZA 38
STANZA 39
STANZA 40
   
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