John of the Cross

Together with Teresa of Avila, John de Yepez Alvarez was instrumental in the reform of the Carmelite order in 16th-century Spain. Familiar with tragedy from an early age, John of the Cross became a towering spiritual figure in his own time, only to be despised and rejected by many. Diminutive in stature and humble in spirit, he penned some of the greatest spiritual works from the darkness of his prison cell. He died loving his enemies and in the embrace of his beloved Lord.