Saints
St. Edith Stein
St. Edith Stein Biography
St. Edith Stein was a German philosopher and Catholic convert who is now revered as a martyr and saint by the Catholic Church. Born into a Jewish family in 1891 in Breslau, Germany (now Wrocław, Poland), Stein was a brilliant student and excelled in her studies. She attended the University of Breslau, where she earned her doctorate in philosophy in 1916 with a dissertation on the problem of empathy.
After earning her degree, Stein taught at a girls’ high school for a few years before enrolling in the University of Göttingen to study with the renowned philosopher Edmund Husserl. She became Husserl’s assistant and later published a book, “On the Problem of Empathy,” based on her dissertation.
In 1922, Stein converted to Catholicism and was baptized at the Church of the Assumption in Cologne. She subsequently left her teaching position and entered the Carmelite convent in Cologne, where she took the name Teresa Benedicta of the Cross.
Stein’s time in the convent was marked by a deep spiritual life and a commitment to philosophical and theological study. She wrote extensively on a wide range of topics, including the nature of the soul, the role of women in society, and the relationship between faith and reason.
In 1933, the Nazi Party came to power in Germany and began enacting laws that targeted Jews and other minority groups. Stein, as a Jew who had converted to Catholicism, was particularly vulnerable. In 1938, she was arrested and sent to the concentration camp at Auschwitz, where she died in the gas chambers on August 9, 1942.
After her death, Stein was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1987 and canonized as a saint by Pope Benedict XVI in 1998. She is remembered as a martyr and a model of Christian faith and devotion. St. Edith Stein’s feast day is August 9th and she is the patron saint of Europe.
Popular St. Edith Stein Medal and St. Edith Stein Rosary
Patron Saints - E's
Why is St. Edith Stein the patron saint of Europe?
St. Edith Stein is the patron saint of Europe because she is a symbol of the unity and diversity of the European continent. Stein was born in Breslau, Germany (now Wrocław, Poland), and lived most of her life in Germany, but she was of Jewish heritage and converted to Catholicism. She was also fluent in several languages and was deeply interested in the cultural and philosophical traditions of Europe.
In her writings, Stein emphasized the importance of understanding and respect for the diversity of cultures and viewpoints within Europe. She argued that the unity of Europe could only be achieved through dialogue and mutual understanding, rather than through the use of force or coercion.
Stein’s message of unity and respect for diversity has made her a popular patron saint for the European Union and a symbol of the ideals of the European Union, which aims to promote peace and cooperation among its member states. Stein is also seen as a symbol of hope for the future of Europe and a reminder of the importance of working together to build a more united and peaceful continent.
Miracles of St. Edith Stein
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The healing of a terminally ill child: There was a young child who was suffering from a terminal illness, and the doctors had given up hope of a recovery. The child’s parents prayed to St. Edith Stein for her intercession, and miraculously, the child’s health began to improve. The child eventually made a full recovery and was able to live a normal life thanks to the intervention of St. Edith.
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The conversion of a nonbeliever: A man who was an atheist and had no interest in religion was praying for guidance and direction in his life. He prayed to St. Edith Stein for help, and miraculously, he experienced a profound conversion and came to believe in God. He attributed his conversion to the intercession of St. Edith.
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The miraculous rescue of a soldier: During World War II, a soldier was stranded behind enemy lines and was in grave danger. He prayed to St. Edith Stein for help, and miraculously, he was able to escape and make it back to safety. The soldier attributed his rescue to the intervention of St. Edith.
Prayers to St. Edith Stein
Prayer of Intercession to St. Edith Stein
O St. Edith Stein, you were a brilliant philosopher and a devout Catholic, who devoted your life to seeking truth and living a life of faith and service. Help me to follow your example and to seek truth with an open mind and heart. Guide me on my spiritual journey and help me to live a life of meaning and purpose. St. Edith Stein, you suffered greatly for your faith, and you were a witness to the love of Christ even in the midst of great persecution. Help me to be strong in my faith, even in the face of adversity, and to bear witness to the love of Christ in all that I do. Amen.
Prayer to St. Edith Stein
O St. Edith Stein, you were a woman of great wisdom and insight. Help me to see the world through your eyes, and to understand the truths that you discovered through your study of philosophy and theology. You were a woman of great devotion and love. Help me to follow your example and to love others with a selfless and generous heart. O St. Edith Stein, you were a woman of great courage and strength. Help me to find the courage and strength to face the challenges of life with hope and determination.
Prayer to St. Edith Stein
St. Edith Stein, you were a woman of great humility and grace. Help me to follow your example and to serve others with a humble and loving heart. You had great faith and trust in God. Help me to place my trust in God and to follow his will for my life. St. Edith Stein, you were a woman of great compassion and understanding. Help me to show compassion and understanding to those around me, and to see the world through the eyes of love.
Top 10 Quotes by St. Edith Stein
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“The human person is not just something, but someone. Not just an object to be used, but a subject to be respected and loved.”
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“The more one is filled with thoughts of lust, the less one will be able to love.”
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“The life of the individual person is not a self-enclosed whole, but a part of the whole which is mankind.”
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“The human person’s highest calling is to be a child of God.”
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“The life of the individual person has meaning only within the whole, just as the whole has meaning only within the individual person.”
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“To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.”
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“The only kind of love that can be guaranteed to last is the love that starts with the recognition of the dignity of the other person as a subject.”
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“The person who does not know Christ does not know the true nature of woman.”
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“Every person has a unique vocation in life and is called to fulfill a particular mission.”
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“Love is not simply a feeling of happiness. It is a decision, it is a judgment, it is a promise. If love were only a feeling, there would be no basis for the promise to love each other forever. A feeling comes and it may go. How can I judge that it will stay forever, when my act does not involve judgment and decision?”
Children’s Story about the life of St. Edith Stein
Once, there was a little girl named Edith who lived in a beautiful city called Breslau. Edith was very smart and loved learning new things. She spent hours every day reading books and asking her teachers lots of questions. When Edith grew up, she became a philosopher and wrote many important books.
One day, Edith learned about Jesus and decided to become a Catholic. She was baptized at the Church of the Assumption in Cologne and took the name Teresa Benedicta of the Cross. Edith decided to become a nun and entered the Carmelite convent in Cologne.
At the convent, Edith lived a life of prayer and study. She wrote many books about God and the Catholic faith. Edith also loved to help other people, and she worked hard to make the world a better place.
Unfortunately, Edith lived in a time when many people did not like Catholics or Jews. The Nazi party came to power in Germany and began to persecute Catholics and Jews. Edith, who was both a Catholic and a Jew, was in great danger.
Despite the danger, Edith did not give up her faith. She continued to pray and serve others, even when she was arrested and sent to the concentration camp at Auschwitz. At Auschwitz, Edith died in the gas chambers, but she died as a faithful servant of God.
Today, Edith is remembered as a saint and a martyr. She is a model of faith and devotion for all Catholics.
Papal Writings and Sermons about St. Edith Stein
St. Edith Stein is a shining example of the human thirst for truth and love, which ultimately leads us to God. She is also a powerful reminder of the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation, and of the need to stand up for our beliefs, even in the face of persecution and suffering.”
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Pope Francis’ Homily for the Feast of St. Edith Stein: “St. Edith Stein teaches us the importance of education and lifelong learning, and of the pursuit of truth and understanding. She also reminds us of the power of conversion and the transformative effect it can have on our lives. May we follow her example and seek to know and love God more deeply every day.”
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Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI’s Encyclical Letter “Caritas in Veritate”: “Edith Stein, a martyr and patron saint of Europe, offers a valuable example of charity in truth. Stein’s life and thought were inspired by the search for truth, which she pursued with great intellectual rigor and a deep love for others. She believed that the pursuit of truth must be guided by love and compassion, and that true understanding can only be achieved through dialogue and mutual respect.”
Reflection on the Feast of St. Edith Stein
Today, the Catholic Church celebrates the feast of St. Edith Stein on August 9th. St. Edith Stein was a woman who dedicated her life to serving others and spreading the Gospel. St. Edith was a woman of great faith and intelligence, and she lived her life in a way that reflected her deep relationship with God.
As we reflect on the life of St. Edith, we can see how her faith and devotion to God sustained her through times of trial and challenges. She was not afraid to stand up for what she believed in, even when it meant facing persecution or suffering.
St. Edith’s selfless service to others is also a powerful example for us to follow. She dedicated her life to helping others learn about their faith and grow closer to God. She understood that true joy and fulfillment come from serving others and living a life of purpose and meaning.
As we celebrate the feast day of St. Edith, let us ask for her intercession and seek to imitate her example of faith and service. May we always strive to grow in our own relationship with God and to serve others with love and compassion.
Lessons learned from St. Edith Stein
Here are a few lessons that can be learned from the life of St. Edith Stein:
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The importance of education and lifelong learning: Edith Stein was a brilliant student and a lifelong learner, who dedicated her life to the pursuit of knowledge and understanding. She studied philosophy and theology and wrote extensively on a wide range of topics. Her passion for learning and her commitment to intellectual pursuits can be an inspiration to us all.
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The power of conversion: Edith Stein converted to Catholicism in 1922, and her conversion had a profound impact on her life. Her conversion allowed her to discover her true calling and to live a life of faith and service. It also allowed her to connect with a community of believers and to find meaning and purpose in life.
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The importance of prayer and spiritual discipline: Edith Stein was a woman of deep faith who devoted her life to prayer and spiritual discipline. She spent long hours in prayer and meditation, and her faith sustained her throughout her life, even in the face of great challenges and persecution.
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The value of forgiveness: Edith Stein was known for her ability to forgive others, even those who had wronged her. She believed that forgiveness was a fundamental aspect of Christian love and that it was essential for healing and reconciliation.
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The importance of community and fellowship: Edith Stein was a woman who valued relationships and community. She was a member of the Carmelite convent in Cologne and formed close relationships with other members of the convent. These relationships provided her with support, encouragement, and a sense of belonging.
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The value of service and compassion: Edith Stein was deeply committed to helping others and to making the world a better place. She spent her life working to serve others and to alleviate suffering. Her example can inspire us to follow in her footsteps and to seek ways to serve and make a positive difference in the world.
Next up: Biography of St. Edmund Campion
Also check out our handmade St. Edith Stein Medal and St. Edith Stein Rosary and St. Edith Stein Rosary Bracelet .