Saint John of the Cross: Master of Contemplation

by Donald Haggerty

Saint John of the Cross is the Church's premier teacher on contemplative prayer. Catholic tradition even calls him the Mystical Doctor. The sixteenth-century Carmelite priest not only wrote four massive treatises on the spiritual life, along with some of the finest poetry in the Spanish language, but also worked alongside Teresa of Ávila in renewing the Carmelite order. Thérèse of Lisieux claimed she found no other spiritual reading that could satisfy her soul like John of the Cross.

Yet the volume and intensity of Saint John's work can make his teachings seem daunting, even to trained theologians. This book by Father Donald Haggerty, author of The Contemplative Hunger and Contemplative Enigmas, offers readers a unique step-by-step introduction to the way of contemplation as Saint John understood it and taught it—a burning, transformative intimacy with the God who made us. Furnished abundantly with quotations from across the Mystical Doctor's writings, this guidebook confronts the mysteries, difficulties, and joys of prayer, showing how silent contemplation prepares our hearts for an unspeakable love.

For all his theological richness, Saint John gave practical, realistic advice on navigating the world of contemplation, and Father Haggerty—a spiritual director for decades—applies these principles to our lives today. Whether you are new to prayer or have been praying since childhood, you will find an illuminating and surprising companion in Saint John of the Cross: Master of Contemplation.

Genres: Theology, Spirituality, Prayer, Mysticism, Catholic

392 pages, Paperback

Published March 8, 2022

Reviews

[booklady · Rating 5 out of 5]

October 14, 2024: Finished this again and I am sure I got so much more out of it in this second read. Still, I already want to start over and reread it again, but I am going to give it a rest instead, in favor of some other St. John experts and his actual texts. Fr. Donald Haggerty managed to reassure me this time about suffering, something I wrestle with most of all. Well anyway, he helped me find peace about it. In a nutshell, I am not to look for/expect consolation in prayer but seek Him and His will. This sounds harsh, impossible even, in the beginning. Without positive feedback, how do I know that I am even pleasing Him? Often, I don't. The author shared some of the saint's letters to prioresses, nuns and even lay spiritual directees where he encouraged them to realize that God will not give back what they expect, but not to measure Him by their own expectations which are always too small:

It seems you want to measure God by the measure of your own capacity, but it will not be so” (L3). The words identify a problem often seen in souls. A focus on ourselves leads us to think God can only do so much, given our limitations and inabilities. The thought can seem a humble one in assuming that we are unworthy of larger favors. But this may be a deceptive pretext for not seeking a greater generosity toward God. There are no boundaries, no limits, to what God can give our souls. We ought not to limit him by the measure of our own capacity, but simply expect much from him and then give back all that is given.

So while He will not 'give back' to us as we expect Him to, if we are faithful to Him over time, His faithfulness to us will know no bounds and make whatever little we do be as a grain of sand to a mountain.


August 9, 2022: This is the best book on contemplation I have read in a long time and one of the two best books I have read on St. John of the Cross, the other being, The Impact of God: Soundings from St John of the Cross. It may well be the best book on contemplation I have ever read, but that is something hard to assess at this point without rereading, and objectively at any point, because books such as this can be phenomenal but if you are not ready for them, they remain locked doors, utterly useless. So I don't truly know how much of this book's value was what I brought to the book, my own background and preparation and how much the author's excellent research, compilation and presentation of a fascinating subject. I believe it is stupendous tome and the perfect time for me to have encountered it.

As I only listened to the book while I was exercising, occasionally rereading parts of it later during prayer time, I bought a paper copy that I could begin again with a chapter-by-chapter outline referring back to the original works of John of the Cross.

A rich reference, clear explanation and source of spiritual enrichment and encouragement; if you want to follow St. John of the Cross' method of Union with God, I can recommend no finer guide.

[Brother Gregory Rice, SOLT · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four stars just because it becomes somewhat long-winded. Sort of unfortunate, because if it was half its length I think you would lose nothing and its popularity would probably quadruple. It is eminently readable and attractive in the main threads, then repetitive in the interstices. St. John of the Cross' worldview is boiled down pristinely to its essential themes, and the introduction alone ought to be read to create a jarring perspective on one's own spiritual attitude.

My favorite mental image was Haggerty's description of St. John of the Cross writing for "stubborn souls," souls that have actually fallen in love with God in a psychological way, in which union with and the pleasing of God are the solitary personal interest of their lives. Who will gladly recede from the world, and even enjoyment, for the sake of this aim. "To the exclusion of everything else" as I've heard someone describe the interest with which, say, a world-class violinist has pursued their craft since early childhood. Haggerty, in his intro, discusses the fact that St. John of the Cross is talking about this type of soul.. And his description has realism and is convincing enough that you feel the fact that those souls are out there, and that there is a difference. And that they are often not highly recognizable to you, that they are hiddenly, interiorly, stubborn and fixated on God. And St. John writes for them on what to expect in, and how to think about, their journey into the darkness of faith. The initial impressions are rough-edged and satisfying.

The other piece of highly-worthy-note in my opinion was his piece on God being one sought "as though hidden," because He is, in fact, hidden. He allows Himself to be found, to draw you along in the correct direction, and then re-hides, thus habituating you to the pursuit of Him, withdrawing you from attachment to destinations along the path, and humbling your soul. Then, eventually, at some point, He seemingly ceases to show up sensibly, leaving you in utterly pure faith. Yet paradoxically, and (actually) ineffably, your certainty that it is His activity increases in proportion to the darkness. You are becoming an actual saint.

I think Fr. Haggerty should take a stab at getting this down to a Fr. Jaques Philippe-type of length, and blow minds across the American Catholic Church.

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

So glad I took a whole year to read this masterpiece. It did get a bit longwinded at certain times, so it loses a star. However, the last few chapters about uniting ourselves to the suffering of the Crucified Christ to gain a deeper intimacy and love for Him realllly spoke to my soul!!! Such wisdom and beauty in these pages. Will have to read again at a certain point!!

[Andre Filho · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent exposition on Saint John of the Cross' theology. 3 stars because the book is too long and very repetitive. Even though the author was bringing different points on the same subject, the book could have half it's length