St. John of the Cross
John Paul II in speaking to the bishops of Austria said: "Your first duty as pastors is not projects and organizations, but to lead your people to a deep intimacy with the Trinity.” (as cited by Thomas Dubay in Deep Conversion/Deep Prayer, pg. 5). The fact is that it is extremely hard to find a good spiritual director. Priests are very busy with their daily responsibilities in the parishes they serve. The demands on them have only increased in recent years. And yet, the words of Pope St. John Paul II remain true. The first responsibility of a shepherd of souls is to lead the sheep under his care to divine intimacy, to guide them to a place where they will find rest and safety in God, especially in a world so filled with dangers.
John of the Cross understood the primacy of this duty in his own life as a Priest and Carmelite. He spent many hours in the confessional, and in directing persons in all walks of life. Light for the Way, Love for the Wayfaring is intended as a response to the need for finding good spiritual direction. It is a straightforward exploration of the teaching of St. John of the Cross as it is distilled in his Sayings of Light and Love. They were originally written for people under his care as a spiritual guide. They are an answer to real questions about prayer and the interior life. For this reason, his advice is perennial. As you explore the following articles, it is our hope that you find light for your own journey and the love necessary to persevere in prayer.
The benefit of turning to St. John of the Cross for spiritual direction is that he has been named the Doctor Mysticus by the Church. He is the universal teacher of the mystical life and has traveled roads of prayer that very few have found themselves, much less had the courage to remain upon so as to arrive at the end which is union with God. In John of the Cross, you will find a guide, a companion and a support. Please take a moment to pray with all that he has to say, you will not regret the time and effort needed to pierce these pearls of great price.
