The poetry and prose writings of the sixteenth-century Spanish friar John of the Cross are of interest to scholars of systematic theology, Christian spirituality, and Spanish poetry. This work provides the first extended English-language analysis of these writings since the 1950s.

Sam Hole serves as a parish priest in the Church of England in Chelsea, London.

• A Note on Translations and Abbreviations


• Introduction


• 1: The neglect of desire: modern reception of John of the Cross


• 2: Desire and the spiritual ascent


• 3: Language, form and imagery in John's poetry


• 4: The 'dark night of the soul' and the purification of desire


• 5: Union in the Canticle and Flame


• Conclusion


• Bibliography