August 9th - St. Edith Stein
Research uncovered remarkable facts about the physical world, but
philosophers and even average people were gripped by the idea that we
cannot
know anything for certain. Today, many - especially the most educated -
allow that we all have notions of true and false, right and wrong, but
that
no one can claim anything is really the truth.
It is a hopeful sign, then, is that one 20th-century martyr made an
extraordinary journey through modern uncertainties, and not only embraced,
but was willing to die for the truth of the Catholic Faith.
Edith Stein was born to a well-off Jewish family in Breslau, Germany. Her
father died when she was very young, and her mother was a very devout Jew
and powerful woman. Edith early showed exceptional intelligence and, when
few women pursued higher education, enrolled at the university. Along the
way, she had lost her childhood Jewish faith, but her studies were to lead
her to quite an unexpected rediscovery of God.
She was interested in psychology, thinking it would help her understand
life. But the psychology being taught was too mechanical and superficial
to
satisfy her active mind. Even in her early adulthood, she sensed that the
human mind and spirit could not be explained by psychological methods. She
felt something deeper in herself and wanted to know more about it.
By chance, she stumbled on the great modern philosopher Edmund Husserl.
Husserl created a philosophical method, which Karol Woytyla also studied
and
wrote about extensively before he became pope. The method is called
phenomenology, but behind this sophisticated name lay a very simple idea.
When we think about the world, said Husserl, we have to be aware of all
the
phenomena, all the things that present themselves to us. This might seem
obvious. But Husserl was trying to counteract some of the blinders that
modern philosophy had acquired.
One phenomenon that Husserl's students could not deny was religion. Human
beings had always been religious and believed that God can be met even in
this world. The non-religious view was, by comparison, quite narrow. So
many
of Husserl's students went on to become Catholics that the philosopher
joked
that the Church should declared him a saint.
That influence took a while to work on Edith Stein. She immediately
applied
to the university where Husserl taught and was accepted. A short time
later,
she became Husserl's assistant. Phenomenology opened up realities that she
thought the usual psychology refused to see. God became a possibility
again,
but it took an encounter with a saint to make Him a reality.
Stein went for a visit with a friend. She found a copy of Saint Teresa of
Avila's Autobiography on a bookshelf. The story of the saint's progress in
Carmelite contemplation excited Edith so much that she stayed up all night
reading. When she finished the book the next morning she said to herself:
"That is true."
Things moved fast. Stein decided to become a Catholic and was received
into
the Church. She wanted to be a Carmelite, but her spiritual advisers
believed her great gifts should be used in the world. Instead, she taught
for a while and lectured all over Germany, particularly on the role of
Catholic women. This was also the period in which Nazism had taken over
and
she immediately intuited that it would mean a terrible trial for Jews and
for herself personally.
People who knew her at the time noted that, though her mind was as fierce
as
ever, she started to become more maternal, perhaps because of the long
hours
she spent in prayer. In those prayers, she began to be told that she
should
pursue a vocation. The Carmelites in Cologne accepted her as a novice. But
her decision brought as much humility as inspiration. A middle-aged
intellectual set in her ways, she made a mess of the menial tasks all
novices have to perform in a cloister. Edith had always been good at
everything she did; now she was one of the people who needed the
indulgence - and good humor - of others.
Her prayer, however, became deeper and deeper. In the several books she
wrote at the request of her superiors, she began to develop ideas of how
the
embrace of Christ's Cross was the only truth that could counteract the
modern world's evils. The now Sister Benedicta of the Cross asked her
superior if she could offer herself for her beloved Jewish people, who had
been the people in the flesh of Christ himself.
Her prayer was answered. Nazi threats grew greater in Cologne and Edith
was
sent to the Carmel in Echt, Holland. But the Germans invaded that country
and soon began rounding up Jews. When the local Catholic bishops objected,
Nazi authorities ordered the arrest of Jewish converts to Catholicism in
retaliation.
Edith Stein was put on a train heading East. Less than a week later she
died
at Auschwitz. She was canonized in 1998 by Pope John Paul II in Rome.
Patronage
Europe, loss of parents, martyrs
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Royal, Robert. "St. Edith Stein: Martyr for Truth." Arlington Catholic
Herald (2000).
Published by permission of Robert Royal and the Arlington Catholic Herald.
See longer version found at:
http://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/saints/ns_lit_doc_19981011_edith_stein_en.html
Quote:
O my God, fill my soul with holy joy, courage and strength to serve You.
Enkindle Your love in me and then walk with me along the next stretch of
road before me. I do not see very far ahead, but when I have arrived where
the horizon now closes down, a new prospect will open before me, and I
shall
meet it with peace.
-Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross
Bible Quote:
5. And as he was yet speaking, behold a bright cloud overshadowed them.
And
lo, a voice out of the cloud, saying: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am
well pleased: hear ye him. (Matthew 17:5)
<<>><<>><<>>
An act of conformity to the Will of God:
Behold me here, O Lord;
do with me what Thou wilt.
May Thy Will be ever done;
I only desire what Thou wilt.
I desire to suffer what Thou willest;
I desire to die when Thou willest.
Into Thy hands I commend my body,
my soul, my life, and my death.
I love Thee, O my God,
whether it pleaseth Thee to send me
consolations or afflictions,
and I desire to love Thee always.
Eternal Father, I unite my death to that of Jesus Christ,
and I offer it to Thee in order to please Thee.
Will of my God, Thou art my love.
Good pleasure of my God,
I devote myself entirely to Thee. Amen.
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