Article Author: Iain Matthew

Fr Iain Matthew is a Discalced Carmelite priest of the Anglo Irish Province. One of the foremost living authorities on St John of the Cross, he has taught and preached the Carmelite tradition across three continents, and his book The Impact of God has become a modern spiritual classic, valued for its clarity, depth, and accessibility. Since 2014 he has been a member of the faculty at the Pontifical Faculty of Theology, Teresianum, Rome, offering courses in Italian and English on Christ, mystical theology, and the doctrine of St John of the Cross. He contributes regularly to international Sanjuanista (St John of the Cross) Congresses and leads seminars for formators, religious communities, and university students. His life has been shaped by prayer, study, and a quiet fidelity to people; those who know him tend to describe him simply as a gentle presence, a thoughtful teacher, and a Carmelite who carries his learning lightly. Across many places and ministries, one thread remains constant — helping others recognise and find a language for their experience of the quiet work of God in their own story.