After Saint John joined the Carmelite order in Spain, Saint Teresa of Avila asked him to help her movement to return the order to life centered on prayer. Feeling threatened by this reform, Carmelites of Saint John's own order kidnapped him, locked him a small, dark cell, and regularly beat him. In the midst of this isolation, cold, and darkness, God gave him illumination and consolation, which Saint John expressed in a series of mystical poems written in his cell. After nine months, he miraculously escaped. From then on, his life was devoted to sharing and explaining his experience of God's love. We hope you find inspiration with our St. John of the Cross Icon or from any of our saint icons.

Please note our saint icons are available as plaques, prints, and in cathedral sizes.