Flash Backs from The Life of St. John of the Cross part I

I have found a 35 minute video that dramatically evokes the life of San Juan de la Cruz (St. John of the Cross). This is the first portion of the video, which is around 5 minutes. The video is in Spanish so I have provided a translation below. Other section will follow if I find the time. The movie is really well done. Down to the period music and his exquisite torture by the other monks.

The video begins with St. John expiring this mortal coil in the city of Ubeda.





Ubeda December 1591


The bells of St. Paul's in Ubeda have rung for prayers during a cold night in December the year of 1591. St. John of the cross has taken shelter in the nearby Carmelite convent and is now gravely ill. What thoughts? What images fill the sick man's memory on that night when is life is to end?


Scene I Úbeda, Juan lays dying . .

Carmelite: Padre Juan, the doctor says your reverence is fading, put yourself right with God . . .



Scene II The Carmelite Priory

(A row of friars walks under a row of cypresses, one of them is forcibly driven along, wearing a black sheet over his head.)

(They enter the Monastery. The Prior speaks.)

Prior: By the authority of the High Pontiff Gregory XIII, it is ordered that all religious elected against the general statutes and against obedience to the prior and master general because they received convents and towns in any whatsoever against the general prior’s will. Any areas they solicited, inhabited or inhabit may they be dispossessed of them and removed from all office and administrative position without appeal. Because some rebellious and stubborn people commonly called discalced religious have lived and are presently living outside the province of Old Castile in Granada and Seville against the general prior’s statutes.
And they refused to humbly accept the prior general’s letters and commands excusing themselves with falsehoods, threats, and avoidances. These discalced religious are under apostolic punishment and censure so that in the space of three days they submit and if they resist that they be seriously punished, invoking secular power if necessary. And let it be known that they are ordered to appear in person before us and in case of resistance they should be provided witnesses.

Juan: If Your Grace will allow me I would like to . . .

Prior: I guess you may defend yourself.

Juan: Of course. If you call something vulgar being born from the heart and intelligence of Mother Theresa of Jesus, her known holiness, I accept the terms. Rebels, disobedient? What punishment can avail me if I come handing out mercy?


Carmelite Brother: Don’t be stubborn, Brother Juan, life can be so much more pleasant with a priory, a nice cell and a gold crucifix.

Juan: A friar should not be overwhelmed by such unnecessary possessions. He who searches out Christ naked has no need of gold or jewels.

Carmelite Brother: Don’t you realize you are to be thrown in prison?

Juan: God also chose the prison of the soul so that man may be free.

Prior: This tribunal proclaims you to be in rebellion.

I decide, I mean we decide that you be incarcerated in a conventual prison.


Scene III

(Juan is thrown into prison)

Juan: Could I be mistaken? Perhaps the prior is right? Oh Lord free me from the terrible lash of doubt. Remove from me any vestige of pride.


Scene IV

Carmelite: What’s wrong Brother Juan, be calm.