Novena to Saint John of the Cross – 9 Days of Prayer

Novena to the great Spanish Carmelite mystic and poet — Doctor of the Church, companion to Saint Teresa of Ávila, guide for those passing through spiritual darkness

St. John of the Cross was a Spanish Carmelite mystic and poet, the friend of St. Teresa of Ávila, and author of Dark Night of the Soul. He suffered imprisonment and wrote some of his greatest poems in captivity. This novena is for those passing through darkness and dryness. His feast is December 14. His poetry, such as the Spiritual Canticle, is among the finest in Spanish. He teaches that God is close even in darkness. Pray the novena if prayer has dried up, and trust that the dryness itself can be a gift.

Saint John of the Cross · December 149 dayssaint

A novena is nine consecutive days of prayer. Begin nine days before the feast (December 14) and finish on its eve. You can pray this novena at any time of year.

Pray this novena with daily reminders in the Sacred Novenas app

Open in the app App Store Google Play

Novena to Saint John of the Cross – prayer for all nine days

Intention: For Those Passing Through Spiritual Darkness, Dryness in Prayer, and the Nights We Cannot Explain

John of the Cross was imprisoned by his own brothers. The Carmelite friars who opposed the reform that he and Teresa of Ávila were attempting locked him in a cell in Toledo for nine months. The cell had one small window near the ceiling. He had no light to read or write by night.

In that darkness, he composed poetry. He wrote in his head and memorized it, then wrote it down when he finally escaped. The poetry became some of the greatest mystical literature in any language.

He described what happens when God withdraws consolation and the soul is left in darkness — not because God has abandoned it, but because something deeper is being forged. He called it the Dark Night of the Soul.

He did not present it as a tragedy. He presented it as the path.

Saint John, you are the patron of people who are not getting what they came to prayer for. People who came looking for light and found darkness. People who came looking for consolation and found nothing.

You said the darkness was not abandonment — it was purgation. That God strips away lesser attachments so that something purer can be loved. I cannot always feel this. I can try to believe it.

(Pause to mention your intentions)

For anyone in spiritual desolation — be their companion in the dark. For anyone who wonders if God has forgotten them — remind them of the poem you wrote in prison. For anyone whose faith has been reduced to a decision to keep going — honor that decision.

Saint John of the Cross, Doctor of the Church, pray for us.

Hail Mary... Our Father... Glory Be...

Saint John, pray for us.

Pray this prayer once a day for nine days in a row.

Traditional Catholic Devotional Prayer · Feast Day: December 14. Juan de Yepes Álvarez (1542-1591) was a Spanish Carmelite friar, priest, mystic, and poet. He worked with Saint Teresa of Ávila to reform the Carmelite Order. He was imprisoned for months by friars who opposed the reform. In prison he wrote some of his greatest poetry. He is the author of The Dark Night of the Soul, The Ascent of Mount Carmel, and The Living Flame of Love.

More novenas

Frequently asked questions

When should I start the Novena to Saint John of the Cross?

Begin on December 5 to end on December 13, the eve of the feast on December 14.

How do I pray the Novena to Saint John of the Cross?

Pray the daily prayer once a day, and spend a few minutes in silence.

Who is the Novena to Saint John of the Cross for?

It is for those in spiritual dryness, poets and contemplatives.

Pray this novena with daily reminders in the Sacred Novenas app

Open in the app App Store Google Play