St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein) | (1891-1942)
Yesterday, August 9th, was the day Church remembers St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, virgin and martyr, (more commonly known by her birth name: St. Edith Stein ). Since her feast day this year fell on a Sunday, we did not celebrate her in the liturgy. However, our religious sisters, especially our contemplative sisters, honored her in a special way since she is the patroness of our Contemplative House of Prayer in Brooklyn, NY: the St. Edith Stein Monastery.
Each of our contemplative communities is entrusted with a particular prayer intention. Our monastery in New York prays particularly that all men and women may come to the knowledge of the One and True God. This intention is fitting for a community under the patronage of a woman who was a Jewish philosopher and convert to Catholicism, and who died as a Carmelite nun in the Auschwitz concentration camp during World War II.
Her life is truly an inspiration, not only for contemplative nuns and religious, but for all who sincerely seek Truth. In her own words: “Anyone who seeks truth seeks God, whether or not they realize it.”
Our contemplative sisters have made a video recounting her life and her destiny to offer herself as a holocaust for her own people.
In a letter to her confessor she wrote: “I have complete confidence in God and have surrendered myself entirely to His will… I regard it as a grace and privilege to be driven along this road under these conditions… If our sufferings have been increased then we have received a double portion of grace and a glorious crown is being prepared for us in heaven. Rejoice with me! I am going forward unshaken, confidently and joyfully to testify to Jesus Christ and to bear witness to the Truth… we will unite our sufferings with the sufferings of our King, sacrificing ourselves for the conversion of the Jews… so that all may know the peace of Christ and His Kingdom.”
St. Edith Stein, pray for us!
