Juan de Yepez y Álvarez (St. John of the Cross)

1542 - Born on the 24th of June in Fontiveros, Spain

1563 - He became a Carmelite monk at Medina del Campo, Spain.

1567 - He became was ordained priest.

1568 - St. Teresa of Ávila, the celebrated mystic, enlisted his help in her restoration of Carmelite life to its original observance of austerity.

1576 - He opened the first Discalced Carmelite monastery. Reform, however, caused friction within the order and led to his imprisonment.

1577 - He wrote some of his finest poetry.

1578 - In August, he later won high office in the order, becoming vicar provincial of Andalusia.

1891 - Died on the 14th of December in Ubeda.