A Segovia, the city that was home to John of the Cross. In difficult times, aim to "days" to help you find the light. Visit of 2002. Post a thousand feet high, on a rocky outcrop between the valleys created by rivers and Eresma Clamores surrounded around its perimeter by high medieval walls, Segovia stands an imposing, almost legendary in his profile of steeples, bell towers , fortresses. Without knowing it, almost every day we see a style here or there, because Disney has chosen its logo the Alcazar of Segovia. Establishment of areveci, was conquered by the Romans in 80 BC as evidenced by the amazing aqueduct of three arches overlapping of more than two millennia old. A plaque donated to the city by the city of Rome under a she-wolf suckling Romulus and Remus, stresses its authenticity. Over the centuries it was also known for co-existence between Christians and Jews, which was terminated in the fifteenth century, the synagogue was then transformed into a church "catholic", taking the name of Corpus Christi.
I approach Segovia wrapped in fog banks that lend the landscape of the plateau a something mysterious and muffled. It's cold. On the side of the road you can see stones arranged, on each other, dividing walls to create, and sometimes small but beautiful Romanesque chapels, crowned by a flock of birds fluttering of disturbing blacks. Disordered or stones, polished by the wind, mixed with small oak trees, because of the weather and the summer heat. Then, suddenly, appear to break the linearity of the horizon a bell, then a dome, a tower with a pointed roof. And suddenly here it is: Segovia, surrounded by the majestic walls, stately and proud Segovia, Segovia breathtaking. A ship, perhaps a spaceship, or rather a star. A world heritage site, according to UNESCO.
Segovia A day I shall begin on the trail of John of the Cross, is buried here in a big golden casket surrounded by other saints and holy Carmelites, after spending the last years of his life: he died just 49 years. He met Teresa of Jesus, in Avila, which lies about fifty miles, at the age of 25 years, when she had more than double. But, beyond the age difference, recognized in him the saint who would allow her to extend the reform of Caramel also among the men: "Now I can start," he said on that occasion.
The tomb of the Doctor of the Church is in the Carmelite Monastery at the foot of the majestic Alcázar, which he helped build with his hands. The site is crossed by the memory of three founding saints: The first is John Mata, founder of the Trinitarians, who bought the first place. Later, as the unhealthiness of the site, its the religious left. At that time John of the Cross got it back, but to rebuild it further upstream, both for reasons of health, either because they believed that they should create a more worthy, poor but likely to prayer and community life, for his Carmelites. The story did not end there, because from 1836 to 1875, as we know, in Spain's religious orders were abolished. After that time, Antonio Maria Claret wished to buy back the site for its Claretian. And now the monastery is once again occupied by a community of Carmelite barefoot.
A guide me on a visit to the monastery, Father José Damián that before the tomb of Doctor of the Baroque church, gold and marble, leads me aware of some of the most beautiful of the saint. And it makes me relive some moments of his life, beginning with the memories of the place: John of the Cross was digging with his bare hands the stones which were used in the construction of the monastery, but did not neglect the apostolate, which played mainly in the afternoon, while in the evening devoted to contemplation. He loved to actually take refuge on the hill behind the monastery, in the company of the stones, and admiring himself in and out of none other than the Trinity. It is said that evening was a brother asked him why he is secluded at sunset, along a path of stairs to the ground, on that hill, John replied that he was praying, and that if he wanted, he could accompany him in his contemplation. But he soon grew tired of that monk ascetic practice, and asked to go down for bedtime. What did that this time the holy, for brotherly love.
Monastic life was made in mid-prayer, half of fraternal friendship. Community life was strong, complete, as evidenced by the fact that in the evenings the monks could talk to each other, for a moment of common recreation, something unheard of in the monasteries of the time. Rightly emphasizes the our guide that the "denial" of which John of the Cross is listed as the champion, was not as ascetic as mystical love for him was the real "denial", not the deprivation end in itself. Not for nothing was his mystique among the highest ever known.
Another chapter, the one on the writings of John of the Cross, his followers took up the habit from the beginning to mirror, then to be able to meditate. It was this that allowed continued spread of meeting of the specimens even after a "persecution" against him, which broke out within the same of his order, brought the decision to destroy everything he had written. In this respect, I admire in a chapel beside the church a picture of the crucifix, that John was very fond, and before which often withdrew to pray. One day, Christ spoke to him: "What do you want in return for everything you have done for me?" He asked. And he answered: "Only to suffer and be despised for you." Since then, however, began a persecution which he refused to define that, instead of explaining it this way: "These things do not do men, but God for our good."
John of the Cross was also, as you know, a great poet. With his verses speak of God without naming it, using a vocabulary understood by all, more literary than theological. It is said that Rafael Alberti, English poet, communist and atheist, a long time in exile in Italy and therefore an honorary citizen of Rome, shortly before his death coming to Segovia. Would have stopped the grate before the tomb, without wishing to enter the temple because he was already a communion with John and then with the mystery of God
way out, there is time to go to the church of Vera Cruz, where the Templars, and then the Knights of Malta, retired in prayer the night before their appointment. On the other side of that hill, however, one sees the Santuario de la Fuencisla. Tradition says that a Jewish woman named Esther had been approached to Christianity, although opposed by his own. They came to falsely accuse her of adultery and sentenced to be thrown off the cliff that overlooks the church today. As he fell, he turned to the statue of the Madonna which adorned the portal of the cathedral, then close the Alcazar, and shouted, "Our Lady of Christians, help me." He came out unscathed from that cliff. That statue of the Madonna, called just Fuencisla, is now kept in the sanctuary.
