Teresa Benedict of the Cross Edith Stein (1891-1942)
nun, Discalced Carmelite, martyr  

Tomorrow is the feast of Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein). I am very fond of her for many reasons, most of which I can not put into words. She is a much needed Saint for our times! From today:

Pope Francis Invokes Edith Stein’s Prayer to Protect Europe

Quote below from St. Pope John Paul II, on her Canonization:

HOMILY OF JOHN PAUL II
FOR THE CANONIZATION OF EDITH STEIN

Sunday, 11 October 1998

6. St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross was able to understand that the love of Christ and human freedom are intertwined, because love and truth have an intrinsic relationship. The quest for truth and its expression in love did not seem at odds to her; on the contrary she realized that they call for one another.

In our time, truth is often mistaken for the opinion of the majority. In addition, there is a widespread belief that one should use the truth even against love or vice versa. But truth and love need each other. St Teresa Benedicta is a witness to this. The “martyr for love”, who gave her life for her friends, let no one surpass her in love. At the same time, with her whole being she sought the truth, of which she wrote: “No spiritual work comes into the world without great suffering. It always challenges the whole person”.

St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross says to us all: Do not accept anything as the truth if it lacks love. And do not accept anything as love which lacks truth! One without the other becomes a destructive lie.

St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, in these times when Truth is not taken as the Truth by so many, pray for us to our Lord and King, help us as the lost can not see, that your martyrdom was born from the same loss of reality, freedom and Truth, by the same world at odds with our Lord, Jesus Christ, Our Father and the Holy Spirit. Amen

For more on this beautiful Carmelite Saint, please see:

Elijah’s Breeze

Association Of Hebrew Catholics