John of the Cross

John of the Cross, born Juan de Yepes y Álvarez in 1542, was a Spanish mystic, poet, and Catholic saint. He co-founded the Discalced Carmelites with St. Teresa of Ávila and is known for his spiritual writings on the Dark Night of the Soul. John endured persecution and imprisonment for reforming the Carmelite Order, but his faith and dedication to God never wavered. He is acclaimed for his poetry, including the famous work "The Living Flame of Love." John of the Cross was canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church in 1726 and remains a revered figure in Christian mysticism.