Ven. John of St. Samson had a very difficult childhood. He was blinded by an incompetent physician after contracting chicken pox and was orphaned at a young age. He was introduced to the Parisian Carmelites in Place Maubert in 1603 and joined the Order at Dol-de-Bretagne three years later. When he was transferred to Rennes in 1612, he became the spiritual soul of the Touraine reform.
His deep mystical life made him a seasoned teacher of the spiritual life. His teachings, dictated to novices and disciples, have come down to us in over 4,000 manuscript folios. John (known as “The Blind Mystic of Carmel”) was a lover of solitude made fruitful by his encounters with God. He was aflame with ardent love for humanity especially the poor and the sick to whom he ministered through his charism of healing.
Ven. John died in the odor of sanctity on September 14, 1636 at Rennes. His last words were: “With Christ, I am affixed to the cross.”
