ST John of the Cross was born near Avila in 1542 and died at Ubeda in 1591. A Carmelite friar, he was an enthusiastic supporter of St Teresa's campaign to restore the original and strict rule. His untiring work to spread the freedom led to imprisonment, during which he wrote his first poem. He was canonized in 1726 and declared a Doctor of the Church in 1926.

ST John of the Cross was born near Avila in 1542 and died at Ubeda in 1591. A Carmelite friar, he was an enthusiastic supporter of St Teresa's campaign to restore the original and strict rule. His untiring work to spread the freedom led to imprisonment, during which he wrote his first poem. He was canonized in 1726 and declared a Doctor of the Church in 1926.

ST John of the Cross was born near Avila in 1542 and died at Ubeda in 1591. A Carmelite friar, he was an enthusiastic supporter of St Teresa's campaign to restore the original and strict rule. His untiring work to spread the freedom led to imprisonment, during which he wrote his first poem. He was canonized in 1726 and declared a Doctor of the Church in 1926.