Collected here in this omnibus edition are all three of St. John of the Cross' major works as well as twenty of his magnificent poems. The Ascent of Mount Carmel is the third major work of St. John of the Cross and is considered to be the introductory work on mystical theology.Dark Night of the Soul is one of the greatest religious poems ever written. This masterpiece of Mystic Christianity examines faith and how to keep faith when all seems lost. Think of it as guide to making it through the dark night of the soul to the brighter happier faith filled tomorrow that awaits.In A Spiritual Canticle of the Soul and the Bridegroom Christ St. John states: ""I do not purpose here to set forth all that greatness and fullness the spirit of love which is fruitful embodies in it. Yes rather it would be foolishness to think that the language of love and the mystical intelligence - and that is what these stanzas are - can be at all explained in words of any kind for the Spirit of our Lord who helps our weakness.""

Claiming to be a literary interpretation, this poem of forty stanza's is loosely based on the Biblical book of Song of Songs. This story follows a bride that has been separated from her bridegroom and her search for him. If it is not obvious enough from the reading of the poem itself and St. John of the Cross's extensive explanation afterwards, the poem is a literary interpretation of Song of Songs, but also of the soul's search for Jesus Christ.

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Addresses several subjects, among them pride, avarice, envy, and other human imperfections. Readers are taken on a spiritual journey through hardships and temptations to complete union with God.

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The Hackett edition of this classic of medieval philosophy and mysticism--a plan of pilgrimage for the learned Franciscan wishing to reach the apex of the mystical experience--combines the highly regarded Boehner translation with a new introduction by Stephen Brown focusing on St. Francis as a model of the contemplative life, the meaning of the Itinerarium, its place in Bonaventure's mystical theology, and the plan of the work. Boehner's Latin Notes, as well as Latin texts from other works of Bonaventure included in the Franciscan Institute Edition, are rendered here in English, making this the edition of choice for the beginning student.