One of my favorite saints!
To deprive oneself of the gratification of the appetites in all things is like living in darkness and in a void. … Hence, we call this nakedness a night for the soul. For we are not discussing the mere lack of things; this lack will not divest the soul., if it [still] craves for all these objects. We are dealing with the denudation of the soul’s appetites and gratifications; this is what leaves it free and empty of all things, even though it possesses them. Since the things of the world cannot enter the soul, they are not in themselves an encumbrance or harm to it; rather, it is the will and appetite dwelling within it that causes the damage.”
The Ascent of Mount Carmel
Love this Saint & his writings..
Your blog is awesome! Have you ever read San Juan de la Cruz in Spanish? I believe Pope John Paul II learned Spanish only to read him in the original language. I noticed you use the name of a Dostoevsky’s character to publish, as many of my friends do (we love Brothers K., e. g. http://karamazovi.blogspot.com/). But why Katerina Ivanovna?
Sorry for the “a Dostoevsky’s character”… That’s bad English, I guess. Pero es lo que hay.
My real name is Katerina so because I liked the novel I also liked the name :) And I think her character is kind of funny… reminds me of my mom sometimes (whose name is also Katerina hehe)
Actually, my boyfriend bought me the critical edition of Saint John of the Cross in SPANISH last year for my birthday…. I cannot express to you how wonderful it is to read a saint in his original language… especially because he has so much poetry!
The BAC edition?
Yes!
Do you know if they have those same editions for other saints? Like Santa Teresa de Jesus (St. Teresa of Avila)?