Saint John Joseph of the Cross, also known as Giuseppe Maria Desa, was a leading figure in the Order of Discalced Carmelites and in eighteenth-century Christian spirituality. Born in 1654 on Ischia, an island off the coast of Naples, he embraced the religious life at a very early age, entering the novitiate of the Discalced Carmelites in Naples at the age of fifteen.
Saint John Joseph of the Cross is also known as Giuseppe Maria Desa.
From the very beginning of his religious life, Jean-Joseph stood out for his piety, apostolic zeal and devotion to the Cross of Christ. He was ordained a priest in 1675 and devoted his life to prayer, penance and serving the most needy. His deep commitment to charity earned him the nickname "Father of the Poor".
However, what particularly set Jean-Joseph apart was his fervent attachment to the Cross as an instrument of salvation and redemption. He developed an intense devotion to the Passion of Christ and spent long hours in meditation before the Crucifix. His life was marked by profound mystical experiences, during which he felt the living presence of Jesus crucified.
In 1703, John Joseph was elected superior of his convent in Naples, where he exercised exemplary leadership, guiding his brothers in the spiritual life and in the service of souls. He encouraged the practice of contemplative prayer and voluntary mortification as means of drawing closer to God and progressing in holiness.
His reputation for holiness attracted many of the faithful in search of spiritual guidance and comfort. John Joseph is renowned for his wisdom, gentleness and willingness to listen to and console those who come to him in their sorrows and difficulties.
In addition to his pastoral commitment, John Joseph wrote several spiritual works that reflect his deep understanding of the Cross of Christ and the interior life. His writings, imbued with simplicity and depth, continue to inspire seekers of God across the centuries.
Jean-Joseph de la Croix died peacefully in 1734, leaving behind him a lasting spiritual legacy. Canonised by Pope Benedict XVI in 2009, he is now venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church. His life and teachings remind the faithful of the importance of meditating on the Cross of Christ as a source of salvation, consolation and strength in life's trials.
