1694 - St. John of the Cross & The Dark Night of the Soul
Saint John of the Cross (1542-1591) was a Spanish mystic, Carmelite friar, and priest whose intense spiritual experiences influenced his writings on the soul's journey towards union with God. Born into poverty, John embraced a life of asceticism and contemplation, undergoing a "dark night of the soul" – a period of spiritual dryness and purification – which he later described as essential for reaching divine union. John was once imprisoned by his own Carmelite brothers who opposed some of his reforms. Confined to a tiny, dark cell, John experienced profound mystical visions and composed some of his most beautiful poetry, including verses from the "Spiritual Canticle." This period of intense suffering and spiritual illumination became a metaphor for the soul's ascent to God, a central theme in his mystical writings like "Dark Night of the Soul" and "Ascent of Mount Carmel." John of the Cross's works, born from his own mystical encounters, continue to guide and inspire spiritual seekers centuries later.
1694. Saint John of the Cross. The spiritual works of Blessed John of the Cross, first Discalced Carmelite and director of Saint Thérèse. Paris: Louis Guerin. In-4 format. 44 unnumbered pages for warning, approvals, praise and table of chapters. 594 pages numbered from 2 to 594 then 12 unnumbered pages for table of contents, illustrated with banners, illuminated initials, culs-de-lampes. Period full marbled calfskin binding, ribbed spine decorated with gilded boxes/florets, covers decorated with gilding roulette. Ex-libris “Library of Restorative Adoration” as well as another handwritten ex-libris and ex-dono. Rubbing, bumped corners, foxing, leveled caps, some partially detached pages. Fairly good condition.
Saint John of the Cross (1542-1591) was a Spanish mystic, Carmelite friar, and priest whose intense spiritual experiences influenced his writings on the soul's journey towards union with God. Born into poverty, John embraced a life of asceticism and contemplation, undergoing a "dark night of the soul" – a period of spiritual dryness and purification – which he later described as essential for reaching divine union. John was once imprisoned by his own Carmelite brothers who opposed some of his reforms. Confined to a tiny, dark cell, John experienced profound mystical visions and composed some of his most beautiful poetry, including verses from the "Spiritual Canticle." This period of intense suffering and spiritual illumination became a metaphor for the soul's ascent to God, a central theme in his mystical writings like "Dark Night of the Soul" and "Ascent of Mount Carmel." John of the Cross's works, born from his own mystical encounters, continue to guide and inspire spiritual seekers centuries later.
1694. Saint John of the Cross. The spiritual works of Blessed John of the Cross, first Discalced Carmelite and director of Saint Thérèse. Paris: Louis Guerin. In-4 format. 44 unnumbered pages for warning, approvals, praise and table of chapters. 594 pages numbered from 2 to 594 then 12 unnumbered pages for table of contents, illustrated with banners, illuminated initials, culs-de-lampes. Period full marbled calfskin binding, ribbed spine decorated with gilded boxes/florets, covers decorated with gilding roulette. Ex-libris “Library of Restorative Adoration” as well as another handwritten ex-libris and ex-dono. Rubbing, bumped corners, foxing, leveled caps, some partially detached pages. Fairly good condition.
Saint John of the Cross (1542-1591) was a Spanish mystic, Carmelite friar, and priest whose intense spiritual experiences influenced his writings on the soul's journey towards union with God. Born into poverty, John embraced a life of asceticism and contemplation, undergoing a "dark night of the soul" – a period of spiritual dryness and purification – which he later described as essential for reaching divine union. John was once imprisoned by his own Carmelite brothers who opposed some of his reforms. Confined to a tiny, dark cell, John experienced profound mystical visions and composed some of his most beautiful poetry, including verses from the "Spiritual Canticle." This period of intense suffering and spiritual illumination became a metaphor for the soul's ascent to God, a central theme in his mystical writings like "Dark Night of the Soul" and "Ascent of Mount Carmel." John of the Cross's works, born from his own mystical encounters, continue to guide and inspire spiritual seekers centuries later.
1694. Saint John of the Cross. The spiritual works of Blessed John of the Cross, first Discalced Carmelite and director of Saint Thérèse. Paris: Louis Guerin. In-4 format. 44 unnumbered pages for warning, approvals, praise and table of chapters. 594 pages numbered from 2 to 594 then 12 unnumbered pages for table of contents, illustrated with banners, illuminated initials, culs-de-lampes. Period full marbled calfskin binding, ribbed spine decorated with gilded boxes/florets, covers decorated with gilding roulette. Ex-libris “Library of Restorative Adoration” as well as another handwritten ex-libris and ex-dono. Rubbing, bumped corners, foxing, leveled caps, some partially detached pages. Fairly good condition.