81 years ago, on August 9, 1942, Edith Stein, a German philosopher and theologian of Jewish origin who later became a saint in the Catholic Church, tragically lost her life in the Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau.
Edith Stein, at the age of 30, embraced Christianity and eventually joined the Discalced Carmelite Order, taking the name Sister Teresa Benedicta of the Cross. Her journey led her from philosophy to faith.
Martyrdom and Legacy
Arrested by the Gestapo during World War II, she was executed in the gas chamber at Auschwitz-Birkenau along with her sister Rosa. In 1998, Pope John Paul II canonized her as a symbol of seeking truth and understanding.
Edith Stein’s philosophical and spiritual writings, like “The Science of the Cross,” reflect her pursuit of truth, addressing human consciousness, freedom, and the path to God.
A Patron of Europe
Declared a patroness of Europe by Pope John Paul II in 1999, she embodies values of respect, tolerance, and mutual understanding, transcending ethnic and religious boundaries.
Edith Stein’s works have been rekindled, with 28 volumes published between 2000 and 2020. Her legacy lives on through the Edith Stein Society in Wrocław, Poland, honoring individuals continuing her mission.