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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. In Book II, Chapter XIII, the author states that love is felt by what?

2. Once a soul has received the love from God after the dark night, it will only want to do what, as described by St. John?

3. According to Book II, Chapter XIV, why does the soul speak these lines: "I went forth without being observed / My house being now at rest"?

4. What happens when the soul has a more complete purging, according to the author?

5. When the souls on earth are purged, with what do they become infused, according to Book II, Chapter XII?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is this unification achieved with God, according to Book II, Chapter XXIV?

2. How does a purifying fire of love affect the souls of humans and angels in relation to a closeness with God as described by the author?

3. In Book II, Chapter XXIII, what does the devil know about what is happening to a soul during the dark night and what does the devil do about it?

4. What does St. John explain about his poem, "Stanza of the Soul," in Book II, Chapter XXII?

5. How can a soul reach the sixth step on the secret ladder, as written in Book II, Chapter XX? What do men receive while on this step?

6. Why is the experience of the dark night and the spiritual ladder called "secret," as explained by the author?

7. In Book II, Chapter XXI, what are the colors of the disguise of the soul on the secret ladder, and what do they represent?

8. From where does St. John say the image of the spiritual ladder is derived?

9. What is the author discussing in the second stanza of his poem from the prologue that is further explained in Book II, Chapter XV?

10. How does St. John of the Cross use Mary Magdalene as an example of a soul passing through the second night of darkness?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There are signs that a person's soul is starting to enter the dark night; however these signs are sometimes confused with a soul that is suffering from a sinful existence. Answer the following questions with supporting examples:

1) What are the symptoms a person's soul experiences when beginning to enter into the dark night?

2) What are some of the signs a person is suffering from a sinful existence and not really entering into the dark night?

3) How many people truly enter the dark night? Why?

Essay Topic 2

There is a separation between the will and the emotions within a person. St. John describes this separation as the reason why the soul can journey through the dark night. Respond with supporting examples:

1) How is the will free from emotions within a human?

2) Why does the soul recognize what it needs and the will of a person does not?

3) How is the separation of the will and the emotions required for a person to pass through the dark night?

Essay Topic 3

The seven deadly sins recognized by the Catholic Church are said to be an evil influence in a beginning Christian's life. St. John wrote how a new believer was strongly influenced by these sins in Dark Night of the Soul. Write an essay answering the following with support:

1) What are the seven deadly sins that plague a beginning Christian's life as described by St. John?

2) How do these sins influence the way a person acts in relationship to one's faith in Christianity?

3) How are these sins overcome in a person's life?

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