BENEDICT XVI GENERAL AUDIENCE
Paul VI Hall
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Dear brothers and sisters,
two weeks ago I presented the figure of the great English mystic Teresa of Jesus Today I would like to talk about another important saint of the land, spiritual friend of St. Teresa, reformer, along with her family religiosa carmelitana: san Giovanni della Croce, proclamato Dottore della Chiesa dal Papa Pio XI, nel 1926, e soprannominato nella tradizione Doctor mysticus, “Dottore mistico”.
Giovanni della Croce nacque nel 1542 nel piccolo villaggio di Fontiveros, vicino ad Avila, nella Vecchia Castiglia, da Gonzalo de Yepes e Catalina Alvarez. La famiglia era poverissima, perché il padre, di nobile origine toledana, era stato cacciato di casa e diseredato per aver sposato Catalina, un'umile tessitrice di seta. Orfano di padre in tenera età, Giovanni, a nove anni, si trasferì, con la madre e il fratello Francisco, a Medina del Campo, vicino a Valladolid, centro commerciale e culturale. Qui frequentò il Colegio de los Doctrinos, also performing some menial work for the nuns of the convent church of Mary Magdalene. Then, because of its human qualities and his results in his studies, he was admitted as a nurse in the Hospital of the Conception of the first, then at the Jesuit College, recently founded in Medina del Campo: John came here eighteen years and studied for three years the humanities, rhetoric and classical languages. At the end of training, he was clear about his own vocation and religious life, among the many orders present in Medina, he felt called to Caramel.
summer of 1563 he began his novitiate at the Carmelites of the city, taking the religious name of Matthias. The following year was assigned alla prestigiosa Università di Salamanca, dove studiò per un triennio arti e filosofia. Nel 1567 fu ordinato sacerdote e ritornò a Medina del Campo per celebrare la sua Prima Messa circondato dall'affetto dei famigliari. Proprio qui avvenne il primo incontro tra Giovanni e Teresa di Gesù. L’incontro fu decisivo per entrambi: Teresa gli espose il suo piano di riforma del Carmelo anche nel ramo maschile dell'Ordine e propose a Giovanni di aderirvi “per maggior gloria di Dio”; il giovane sacerdote fu affascinato dalle idee di Teresa, tanto da diventare un grande sostenitore del progetto. I due lavorarono insieme alcuni mesi, condividendo ideali e proposte per inaugurare al più presto possibile la prima casa di Carmelitani Scalzi: The opening took place December 28, 1568 at Duruelo, lonely place in the province of Avila. By John formed the first community reformed three other male companions. In renewing their religious profession according to the first Rule, the four adopted a new name: John was called then "the Cross", as will then be universally known. At the end of 1572, at the request of Teresa, became confessor and vicar of the monastery of the Incarnation in Avila, where Santa was prioress. They were years of close collaboration and spiritual friendship that enriched both. Α that period are the most important works of the early writings of John and Teresa.
Membership Carmelite reform was not easy and it cost too much suffering to John. The most traumatic episode was, in 1577, his abduction and his incarceration in the convent of the Carmelites of the Ancient Observance of Toledo, following an unjust accusation. The saint was imprisoned for months, subjected to physical and mental hardships and difficulties. Here he composed, along with other poems, the famous Spiritual Canticle. Finally, on the night between 16 and 17 August 1578, he escaped so adventurous, sheltering in the monastery of Carmelite nuns in the city. Santa Teresa and fellow reformed celebrated with immense joy for his release and, after a short recovery time of the forces, John moved in Andalusia, He spent ten years in various monasteries, especially in Granada. He took on increasingly important positions in the Order, to become the Vicar Provincial, and completed the drafting of its spiritual treatises. He then returned to his homeland, as a member of the General Government of Teresa's religious family, which now enjoyed full legal autonomy. He lived in Caramel, Segovia, performing the office of superior of the community. In 1591 he was relieved of all responsibility and for the new religious Province of Mexico. While preparing for the long trip with ten other companions, retired to a lonely monastery near Jaén, where he fell seriously ill. John faced with exemplary calm enormous suffering and patience. He died on the night between 13 and 14 December 1591, while the brothers recite the Office in the morning. Took leave of them saying: "Today I am going to sing the Office in the sky." His mortal remains were transferred to Segovia. She was beatified by Clement X in 1675 and canonized by Benedict XIII in 1726.
John is considered one of the major lyric poets of English literature. The major works are four: Ascent to Mount Caramel, Dark Night, Spiritual Canticle and flame of love alive.
The Spiritual Canticle, St. John presents the process of purification of the soul, namely the progressive joyous possession of God, until the soul reaches to feel that love God with the same love with which she is loved by Him alive the flame of love continues in this perspective, describing in detail the state of transforming union with God The comparison used by John is always that of fire: as much as the fire burns through the timber, the more you do to become red-hot flame, so the Holy Spirit, during the dark night that cleanses and "clean" the soul, over time the lights and heat as if it were a flame. The life of the soul is a continual feast of the Holy Spirit that reveals the glory of union with God in eternity.
The Ascent of Mount Caramel has the spiritual journey from the point di vista della purificazione progressiva dell'anima, necessaria per scalare la vetta della perfezione cristiana, simboleggiata dalla cima del Monte Carmelo. Tale purificazione è proposta come un cammino che l’uomo intraprende, collaborando con l'azione divina, per liberare l'anima da ogni attaccamento o affetto contrario alla volontà di Dio. La purificazione, che per giungere all'unione d’amore con Dio dev’essere totale, inizia da quella della vita dei sensi e prosegue con quella che si ottiene per mezzo delle tre virtù teologali: fede, speranza e carità, che purificano l'intenzione, la memoria e la volontà. La Notte oscura descrive l'aspetto “passivo”, ossia l'intervento di Dio in questo processo "purification" of the soul. Human effort, in fact, is unable by itself to reach the deep roots of evil inclinations and habits of the people: it can only slow down, but not eradicate them completely. To do this, you need the special action of God who purifies the spirit and has radically union of love with him St. John calls "passive" such purification, because, although accepted by the soul, is made from ' mysterious action of the Holy Spirit, as a flame of fire, consumes all impurities. In this state, the soul is subjected to every kind of evidence, as if he were in a dark night.
These indications of the major works of the saint help us move closer to the highlights of his vast and profound mystical doctrine, whose purpose is to describe a sure way to achieve holiness, the state of perfection to which God calls us all. According to John of the Cross, all that is created by God is good. Through the creatures, we can arrive at the discovery of him in them has left a trace behind. Faith, however, is the only source given to man to know God as He is in Himself as the Triune God. All that God wanted to communicate to man, he has said in Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh. Jesus Christ is the only and final way to the Father (cf. Jn 14:6). Anything that is created is nothing compared to God and nothing is beyond him: therefore, to achieve perfect love of God, love each other in Christ should conform to the divine love. Hence the insistence of St. John of the Cross on the need of the cleansing and emptying of the interior to become God, which is the only goal of perfection. This "purification" is not the mere absence of physical things or their use, what makes the soul pure and free, however, is to eliminate any dependence on disordered things. Everything must be placed in God as the center and end of life. The long and arduous process of purification requires some effort staff, but the true protagonist is God, everything that man can do is "disporsi" be open to the divine action and do not ask obstacles. Living the theological virtues, the man rises and gives value to their commitment. The pace of growth in faith, hope and charity go hand in hand with the work of purification and the progressive union with God to turn him in when we reach this goal, the soul is immersed in the same life Trinity, so that St. John says that it comes to love God with the same love with which He loves, because he loves the Holy Spirit. That's why the Doctor Monk argues that there is no true union of love with God if it culminates in the union of the Trinity. In this state supreme holy soul in God knows everything and no longer has to go through to get the creatures to Him the soul feels now flooded by divine love and rejoices fully in it.
Dear brothers and sisters, in the end the question remains: this holy mystical with its high, with this arduous journey to the summit of perfection has to say something to us, the Christian living in normal circumstances of this life today or is an example, a model for only a few chosen souls who can actually take this path of purification, mystical ascent? To find the answer we must first keep in mind that the life of Saint John della Croce non è stata un “volare sulle nuvole mistiche”, ma è stata una vita molto dura, molto pratica e concreta, sia da riformatore dell'ordine, dove incontrò tante opposizioni, sia da superiore provinciale, sia nel carcere dei suoi confratelli, dove era esposto a insulti incredibili e a maltrattamenti fisici. E’ stata una vita dura, ma proprio nei mesi passati in carcere egli ha scritto una delle sue opere più belle. E così possiamo capire che il cammino con Cristo, l'andare con Cristo, “la Via”, non è un peso aggiunto al già sufficientemente duro fardello della nostra vita, non è qualcosa che renderebbe ancora più pesante questo fardello, ma è una cosa del tutto diversa, is a light, a force that helps us to carry this burden. If a man carries with it a great love, this love gives wings almost, and it bears more easily all the hardships of life, it carries within it this great light, this is the faith: to be loved by God and be loved by God Jesus Christ let this love is the light that helps us to bear the burden of every day. And holiness is not our work very difficult, but it is this "openness" and open the windows of our soul so that God's light can enter, do not forget God because its light is the opening to its strength, there is the joy of the redeemed. We pray to the Lord it has aiuti trovare questa Holiness, lasciarsi amare da Dio, che è di noi tutti vocazione e la vera redenzione. Grazie.
[Saluti varies in ling: I cordially greet the pilgrims francophones, especially young people and trainers seminar in Bayonne, accompanied by their bishop, Monsignor Marc Aillet! Receiving the message of St. John of the Cross, I invite you to deepen your Christian life and experience the theological virtues, the source of a true transformation of your life and a progressive union with God. With my Blessing!
I extend warm welcome to all has Français The-speaking Pilgrims and Visitors, especially those students from Saint Benedict's School, St Aloysius College, St Patrick's Grammar School, and students and parishioners from the United States. Upon you all, I invoke God's blessings of joy and peace!
I cordially greet all brothers and sisters of the German language welcome, especially the pilgrims from the Diocese of Eisenstadt, accompanied by Bishop Giles Zsifkovics. Saint John of the Cross invites us to see our entire being with all the joys and hardships in light of the Lord, to dare with him the ascent to true life in God. Let us form the love of Christ so that He works in us and through us. Holiness is not a preserve of a few, Berufung sondern eines jeden Christen und Geschenk. Gottes Gnade führen euch auf allen Wegen Euren.
I cordially greet the English-speaking faithful. In particular, the Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, as well as pilgrims from Spain, Mexico and other Latin American countries. Following the teachings of St. John of the Cross, I urge That ye may go the way of holiness, which the Lord has called to baptism, opening your hearts to God's love and leaving you to transform and purify by His grace. Thank you very much. Dear pilgrims
língua Portuguese: all warmly and reminded saúde, com São João da Cruz, who sanctities is not privilege of few, but a vocation to which every Christian is called. Therefore, I urge you to enter in an ever more decisive in the way of purifying the heart and life, and go out to meet Christ. Only therein lies the true happiness. Go in peace!
Salute in lingua ceca:
Srdečně vitam skupinu Kneza the mladých ministrantů z Prahy the Okole, které sve pout in the RIMA prose Pana o re kněžská povolání.
Rad Zehn Vám i vašim drahým!
Chvála Kristu!
Italian Traduzione:
Un cordiale benvenuto al gruppo di giovani di Priests e ministranti, di Praga e dintorni, che sono in pellegrinaggio Venuti a Roma il Signore a pregare per le nuove vocazioni Sacerdote!
volentieri benedico ei voi vostri cari! Sia Lodato Gesù
Cristo!
Saluto in lingua polacca:
With cordial greeting to the Poles. St. John of the Cross teaches that our life is the way to the encounter with Christ. All our joys and sorrows, our lives should we see in his light, opening the heart to the working of his grace, that we were becoming more united with him. Holiness is not the privilege of a few, but the appointment chrześcijanina każdego. Na tej drodze niece Bóg błogosławi wam.
Italian translation: With
I address a cordial greeting to the Poles. St. John of the Cross teaches that our life is a journey toward an encounter with Christ. We need to see in its light all our joys and concerns, our whole life, opening hearts to the action of his grace, that we are increasingly united with him Holiness is not the privileged few, but it is the vocation of every Christian . In this way God bless you.]
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extend a cordial welcome to the Italian-speaking pilgrims. In particular, I greet the participants General Chapter of Marian Clerics of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, wishing to continue with generous service to Christ and the Church, faithfully following the path traced by the revered founder. I greet with affection the Missionaries of Charity, and I thank them for making a joyful Christian witness in the different continents in the footsteps of their memorable foundress Blessed Teresa of Calcutta. I greet the regional coordinators of the Apostleship of the Sea, at the conference sponsored by the Pontifical Council for Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People and encourage them to identify appropriate pastoral responses to the problems of seafarers and their families. I greet the representatives of the Bank of Viterbo Cooperative Credit and hope that the centenary of the founding of the Institute will inspire greater commitment to the service of genuine social needs.
My thoughts are, finally, to the young, the sick and newlyweds. Dear young people, make room in your heart to Jesus and share his joy and his peace. You, dear sick people, and offer it to the Lord your times of trial because they open the doors of our hearts to proclaim the Gospel. And you, dear newlyweds, always be witnesses of Christ who has called you to carry out a joint project of life.
© Copyright 2011 - Libreria Editrice Vaticana
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