FLAME OF LOVE

St. John of the Cross (1542-1591) is regarded as one of the greatest poets of the Spanish language and among the greatest mystical poets of any language. Drawn to the contemplative life, he joined St. Teresa of Avila in her reform of the discalced Carmelites. John considered his poetry to be the most authentic expression of his theology and his ineffable mystical experience.

St. Teresa of Avila (1515-1582) is famous for her extraordinary accomplishments in the reform of the Carmelite order and the founding of new monasteries, for her prose writings on the spiritual life, prayer and contemplation, and for her extraordinary sanctity. Her poetry has not received the same acclaim and attention as John’s. But like him, she used poetry as a way of expressing the ineffable — the divine flame of love which consumed her.

In preparing these translations, the primary emphasis has been placed on accurately preserving the meaning of the original poems, while retaining their rhyming schemes and utilizing meters as close to the original as possible. Each page of English translation faces the original Spanish text of the poem.