St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein)

Edith Stein, born in 1891 in Breslau, Poland, was the youngest child of a large Jewish family. She was an outstanding student and was well versed in philosophy with a particular interest in phenomenology. Eventually she became interested in the Catholic Faith, and in 1922, she was baptized at the Cathedral Church in Cologne, Germany.

Eleven years later Edith entered the Cologne Carmel. Because of the ramifications of politics in Germany, Edith, whose name in religion was Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, was sent to the Carmel at Echt, Holland. When the Nazis conquered Holland, Teresa was arrested, and, with her sister Rose, was sent to the concentration camp at Auschwitz.

Teresa died in the gas chambers of Auschwitz in 1942 at the age of fifty-one. In 1987, she was beatified in the large outdoor soccer stadium in Cologne by Pope John Paul II.

St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross represents the triumph of faith over hatred, of love over evil, and of the human spirit over the darkest forces of history. Her conversion from Judaism to Catholicism, her philosophical work, and her ultimate martyrdom make her a powerful witness to the universal call to holiness.

Liturgical Celebration

St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross is celebrated on August 9th, the day of her martyrdom at Auschwitz. This feast day serves as a powerful reminder of the millions who suffered during the Holocaust.

Traditions and Customs

On this day, many Catholics pray for peace, remember the victims of the Holocaust, and reflect on the importance of standing up against hatred and discrimination. It's also a day to pray for Jewish-Catholic relations and understanding.

Prayer and Devotion

The feast day is an excellent time to pray for peace, for the victims of persecution, and to ask for the intercession of St. Teresa Benedicta in our own struggles with faith and courage.