St. Edith Stein

Edith Stein was born on October 12, 1891, in Breslau, Germany (now Wrocław, Poland), into a Jewish family. She was the youngest of eleven children born to Siegfried and Auguste Stein. Edith was a brilliant student from an early age, showing exceptional intellectual abilities. She attended the University of Breslau and later the University of Göttingen, where she studied philosophy under the famous phenomenologist Edmund Husserl. Edith became one of his most promising students and was known for her sharp intellect and philosophical insights. During her studies, she became interested in phenomenology and the search for truth, which would eventually lead her to Christianity.

Edith's spiritual journey was marked by a deep search for truth and meaning. She was initially an atheist, but her philosophical studies and encounters with Christian friends, particularly the widow of a colleague who had died in World War I, began to influence her thinking. In 1921, while staying at the home of a friend, Edith read the autobiography of St. Teresa of Avila, which had a profound impact on her. She later wrote that after finishing the book, she said to herself, "This is the truth." This reading marked the beginning of her conversion to Catholicism. On January 1, 1922, Edith was baptized into the Catholic Church, taking the name Teresa Benedicta of the Cross.

After her conversion, Edith continued her academic work while also becoming involved in Catholic intellectual circles. She taught at a Dominican school in Speyer and later at the German Institute for Scientific Pedagogy in Münster. However, the rise of Nazism in Germany made it increasingly difficult for her to work, as she was of Jewish descent. In 1933, she was forced to resign from her teaching position due to Nazi anti-Semitic laws. During this time, Edith felt called to religious life and entered the Carmelite monastery in Cologne on October 14, 1933, taking the religious name Teresa Benedicta of the Cross. She made her first vows in 1935 and her final vows in 1938.

As the Nazi persecution of Jews intensified, Edith's safety became increasingly threatened. In 1938, she was transferred to the Carmelite monastery in Echt, Netherlands, to protect her from the growing danger in Germany. However, after the Dutch bishops issued a pastoral letter condemning Nazi racism, the Nazis retaliated by arresting all Jewish converts to Catholicism in the Netherlands. On August 2, 1942, Edith and her sister Rosa, who had also converted to Catholicism, were arrested by the Gestapo and sent to the Westerbork concentration camp. From there, they were transported to Auschwitz, where they were killed in the gas chambers on August 9, 1942. Edith's last known words were to her sister: "Come, let us go for our people."

St. Edith Stein's legacy extends far beyond her martyrdom. Her philosophical writings, particularly her work on empathy and the nature of the human person, continue to be studied and valued in academic circles. Her spiritual writings, including her reflections on the cross and suffering, have inspired countless Christians. Edith's life demonstrates the harmony between faith and reason, showing that intellectual pursuit and spiritual depth can coexist and complement each other. Her martyrdom, along with her sister Rosa, is a powerful witness to the dignity of every human person and the evil of racism and anti-Semitism. Edith was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1987 and canonized in 1998. She was also declared a co-patron of Europe in 1999, recognizing her role as a bridge between Jewish and Christian traditions and her witness to the values that should unite Europe.

Liturgical Celebration

The feast of St. Edith Stein is celebrated on August 9th, the anniversary of her martyrdom at Auschwitz. This feast is celebrated as an optional memorial in the Roman Catholic Church, recognizing her importance as a modern saint and her role as co-patron of Europe. The feast falls during the summer season, a time when many people are reflecting on the importance of freedom and human dignity, making it an ideal time to remember Edith's witness to these values. The feast provides an opportunity to honor her memory and to reflect on the importance of standing up for truth and justice, even in the face of great opposition and danger.

Traditions and Customs

On the feast day of St. Edith Stein, many people participate in special prayers and devotions to honor her memory and seek her intercession. Churches, particularly those associated with the Carmelite Order, hold special Masses and services. Many people also take time to read and reflect on Edith's writings, particularly her philosophical works and spiritual reflections. The day is also marked by prayers for peace, justice, and reconciliation, asking for St. Edith's intercession in helping to overcome prejudice and discrimination. Many people also reflect on the importance of intellectual pursuit and spiritual growth, and how these can be integrated in our daily lives. The feast is also a time to remember the victims of the Holocaust and to pray for peace and understanding between different religious and cultural traditions.

Prayer and Devotion

The feast day is an excellent time to pray for the gift of courage and the strength to stand up for truth and justice. Many people make special petitions for peace and reconciliation, asking for St. Edith's intercession in helping to overcome prejudice and discrimination. The day is also a time to reflect on the importance of integrating faith and reason in our lives and to pray for the wisdom to seek truth in all things. St. Edith's feast day encourages us to remember that we are all called to be witnesses to truth and justice, and to be willing to make sacrifices for the sake of others. It is also a time to pray for the victims of all forms of discrimination and violence, and to work for a world where the dignity of every human person is respected.