St. Edith Stein
Died: 1942
Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein)Virgin and Martyr Edith Stein, born in 1891 in Breslau, Poland, was the youngest child of a large Jewish family. She was an outstanding student and was well versed in philosophy with a particular interest in phenomenology. Eventually she became interested in the Catholic Faith, and in 1922, she was baptized at the Cathedral Church in Cologne, Germany. Eleven years later Edith entered the Cologne Carmel. Because of the ramifications of politics in Germany, Edith, whose name in religion was Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, was sent to the Carmel at Echt, Holland. When the Nazis conquered Holland, Teresa was arrested, and, with her sister Rose, was sent to the concentration camp at Auschwitz. Teresa died in the gas chambers of Auschwitz in 1942 at the age of fifty-one. In 1987, she was beatified in the Cologne cathedral by Pope John Paul II. Out of the unspeakable human suffering caused by the Nazis in western Europe in the 1930's and 1940's, there blossomed the beautiful life of dedication, consecration, prayer, fasting, and penance of Saint Teresa. Even though her life was snuffed out by the satanic evil of genocide, her memory stands as a light undimmed in the midst of evil, darkness, and suffering. She was canonized on October 11, 1998.
Carmelite and martyr, St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein)
This exceptional portrait is available on note cards, prayer cards, book marks, and prints, framed or unframed. Visit our website to see more Carmelite saints. CLICK HERE!
Previous Saint
< St. Edith of Wilton
Next Saint
St. Edith of Polesworth >
Rate This Saint
Very Helpful Somewhat Helpful Not Helpful at All
Yes, I am Interested No, I am not Interested
1 - 20 of 22 Comments
Leave a Comment
Comments submitted must be civil, remain on-topic and not violate any laws including copyright. We reserve the right to delete any comments which are abusive, inappropriate or not constructive to the discussion.
Though we invite robust discussion, we reserve the right to not publish any comment which denigrates the human person, undermines marriage and the family, or advocates for positions which openly oppose the teaching of the Catholic Church.
This is a supervised forum and the Editors of Catholic Online retain the right to direct it.
We also reserve the right to block any commenter for repeated violations. Your email address is required to post, but it will not be published on the site.
We ask that you NOT post your comment more than once. Catholic Online is growing and our ability to review all comments sometimes results in a delay in their publication.
Send me important information from Catholic Online and it's partners. See Sample
Previous Saint
< St. Edith of Wilton
Next Saint
St. Edith of Polesworth >
Find Saints
Catholic Online offers the largest searchable database of Catholic Saints on the internet.
| Browse Saints by Alphabet |
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z |
| Patron Saints by Alphabet |
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z |
Videos
St. Francis of Assisi 78,928 views View Video
Padre Pio 47,374 views View Video
Black Saints Vol I 30,587 views View Video
Black Saints Vol II 27,128 views View Video
Most Popular
Pope Francis says atheists can do good and go to heaven too! Read More
There's the problem! Americans are out of touch with scientific consensus on climate change Read More
Culture of Corruption: Why Obama's misuse of Marines is wrong Read More
Bill Donohue, Catholic League, Disclose Fight with the IRS, Demonstrate Courage Read More
Receiving the Eucharist: I Have Decided to Kneel For Jesus Read More
Daily Readings
Reading 1, Sirach 6:5-17
A kindly turn of speech attracts new friends, a courteous ... Read More
Psalm, Psalms 119:12, 16, 18, 27, 34, 35
Blessed are you, Yahweh, teach me your will! Read More
Gospel, Mark 10:1-12
After leaving there, he came into the territory of Judaea and ... Read More
Saint of the Day
St. David I of Scotland
May 24: David, the youngest son of Scotland’s virtuous queen, (Saint) ... Read More
Latest Videos
Rottweiler Puppies in a Easter Basket View Video
Pope Francis to Italian bishops: Bring hope! View Video
Italy, Vatican, Basilica of Saint Peter View Video
Pope calls on Italian bishops to reduce the high number of dioceses in the country View Video
May 24 - Homily: Care For The Soul First, Then The Body View Video
Marketplace
The Medjugorje Fasting
The Medjugorje Fasting Book attempts to answer these and other ... Read More
St Catherine of Siena. Eating Disorders. Recovery Necklace. Motivation Gift Read More




















Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross. You came to me in the time of great need and sat by my bed in 2000 and asked me what am I going to do about the children. I didn't know what you were saying then but in 2007 understood completely. Bless you for warning me and saving my children.
St. Edith Stein, Your courage and clarity of faith attracted me and your story inspired me very much right from a very young age. Please pray for me and my family.
St. Teresa Benedicta de crus was indeed a dedicated catholic. Her decision 2 publicly condem the Nazi practice proves dat indeed she was a soldier of Christ. St. Stein pray 4 us.
Thank Lord for giving us brave role models to follow. I hope that in such a "me-only" or "me-first" society/world that there be more who dare to love, be brave, and sacrifice for the love of God. Thank you to all the saints for their intercessions and thank you for all the people who prays for others :) Let love live on!
I thought that her story was very touching. I wish i could be more liek her, she would be a great roll modal and an amazing teacher. For those girls that were taught by her must have felt very blessed. I hope that everyone could as great of a person than Edith was, Thank you.
I never knew the saint for my birthday was until today. I am so touched by her story and death. I am 29 + 25 now. i feel looking back over my memories of my life and reading the story of hers, she truely must be looking over me through my daily life. I sometimes how I have survived to this time in my life. Now, my heart, mind and soul believe it has been St. Teresa Benedicta, who Mother Mary, has had a vigil with and for my meeger existence. I am truely blessed.
Edith Stein, later known as St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, is truly an example of the good that God works in the lives of those who love Him, and surrender to His Divine Will. She was originally converted to Catholic Christianity after having read the biography, or one of the books, of St. Teresa of Avila. St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross loved her Jewish brothers and sisters, and offered her sufferings and death as reparation for the Holocaust. Many people forget that the Holocaust's victims were not only the Jewish people, but Catholics, Christians, Polish people, gypsies, the disabled, helpers of the Jews, anyone who was not of German "Aryian" heritage was, eventually to be exterminated. How could such madness take over the world, one may ask? It is because of Godlessness and hatred. God works in mysterious ways, but, unfortunately so does Satan, the prince of lies.
Saint Edith Stein and saint M Kolbe were true modern examples of pure goodness and love for humankind.
Good comment MUFFIN.
God bless all
Anthony UK
I get so disgusted with idiots who say the Holocaust was a hoax, or that it was the work of the Vatican, or that Jews deserved it. So I am pleased to have the martyrdom of Edith Stein and Maximilian Kolbe to show that the Holocaust is undeniable, inexcusable, and a product of the same wickedness that killed Jesus. It was man's wickedness that really killed Jesus and we all have it, no matter what culture, colour or creed we are.
Very helpful in my hour or need. as a Catholic and with Jewish influence judeo Christian heritage it was very helpful: St. Edith Stein help me!! These are the prayers for myself and all Christian and Jewish Converts to Catholicism!
i personally think edith stein was the greatest saint that woman was unbelieveable i just wanted to say that i wish more people could be like her
DearSt. Benedicta of the Cross please pray for success in daughter's start being self-employed.
Thank you for your prayers
Happy New yr 2 all. Pls I'l like 2 know or get a detailed meaning of d name, EDITH.
I rated it great, but it should have some more info.
Saint Edith Stein was also a Carmelite..
There is no images of St.Edith Stein.
If her name is Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, why are you calling her "Blessed Edith Stein" and not "Saint Edith Stein"? Also why not include that she was a prolific writer and university professor?
That was a very nice prayer J Christian.
I like reading about the saints. Edith stein is one of my favorites. Please write more about saints. maryann8-9-08
Why you dont put the pictures of the saint? I would like to see them. thank you