Dark Night of the Soul

St. John of the Cross (1542-1591) is most famous for his little poem prayer in Dark Night of the Soul.  It is an oft-alluded literary term, but few have ever read or prayed this ancient jewel.

Listen to  Steve Bell‘s rendition to this poem, on his Juno Award winning album: Romantics and Mystics.

It is somewhat of a shock to hear the refrain “Oh  happy chance” – as a bolt of insight to reveal the nearness of God in the darkness of the soul – so he can sing:

“Oh, night that guided me,

Oh, night more lovely than the dawn,

Oh, night that joined Beloved with lover, Lover transformed in the Beloved!”

Take a lingering time to walk through this prayer:

STANZAS OF THE SOUL

1. On a dark night, Kindled in love with yearnings—oh, happy chance! — I went forth without being observed, My house being now at rest.

2. In darkness and secure, By the secret ladder, disguised—oh, happy chance! — In darkness and in concealment, My house being now at rest.

3. In the happy night, In secret, when none saw me,
Nor I beheld aught, Without light or guide, save that which burned in my heart.

4. This light guided me More surely than the light of noonday
To the place where he (well I knew who!) was awaiting me —  A place where none appeared.

5. Oh, night that guided me, Oh, night more lovely than the dawn,
Oh, night that joined Beloved with lover, Lover transformed in the Beloved!

6. Upon my flowery breast, Kept wholly for himself alone,
There he stayed sleeping, and I caressed him, And the fanning of the cedars made a breeze.

7. The breeze blew from the turret As I parted his locks;
With his gentle hand he wounded my neck And caused all my senses to be suspended.

8. I remained, lost in oblivion; My face I reclined on the Beloved.
All ceased and I abandoned myself, Leaving my cares forgotten among the lilies.