Spanish Mysticism: Saint Teresa of Avila and Saint John of the Cross

Saint Teresa of Jesus (1515-1582)

Literary Work

Saint Teresa authored an autobiography detailing her visions and spiritual experiences, characterized by its profound simplicity. She lays bare the corners of the human soul, achieving literary excellence despite having limited formal education. Her work, presented continuously for the approval of her confessors and the Church, stands as a model of Renaissance prose.

The writings of Saint Teresa emphasize the spirit of prayer, methods of practice, and the resulting spiritual fruits. Her primary prose works include:

• The Way of Perfection: Addressed to her fellow nuns.
• The Book of Her Life: Her autobiography.
• The Interior Castle: A doctrinal treatise on mystical experiences.

Saint John of the Cross

Major Works

Saint John of the Cross is renowned for three significant works: Dark Night of the Soul, Living Flame of Love, and Spiritual Canticle.

Influences and Style

Dámaso Alonso identifies three primary influences on his work: the Bible, learned Renaissance poetry (Petrarch), and folk poetry. His work is characterized by its originality in converging various streams to articulate the mystical experience.

Biblical Influences

There is a marked predilection for the Old Testament, especially the Song of Songs. Saint John conducted a process of "sensualization" of the Song of Songs as a quest for mystical and poetic essence. The "dark night" symbolizes the eternal, encompassing the three traditional ways: purgative, illuminative, and unitive. In describing the mystical experience, the night serves as the ideal symbol for union with the Divine.

Poetic and Literary Influences

In the Spiritual Canticle, he narrates the love of the soul for Christ through the metaphors of a lover and the beloved. While it treats love in a Platonic form, it also incorporates elements of courtly love. The Italian influence is present in his choice of meter and verse, alongside the influence of Garcilaso de la Vega, Fray Luis de León, and popular songs. Ultimately, these mystics influenced the rest of Europe, drawing from the Patristic tradition, the Church Fathers, and Flemish-Germanic mysticism.

Each of his poems is accompanied by an explanation in prose called declarations. He is the author of seven major compositions.