St. Teresa Benedicta, Martyr – Aug 09 – Homily – Fr John Lawrence

 

Fr John Lawrence gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on Aug 09, 2023, on the life of St. Teresa Benedicta, who converted to Christianity from Judaism and became a nun. She died as a martyr in the Auschwitz concentration camp.

Edith Stein was born on October 12th, 1891, in Breslau, a Jewish family. Despite her early religious upbringing, she lost her faith in her teenage years. However, her journey led her to Catholicism. After reading St. Therese of Avila's autobiography, she exclaimed, "this is the truth." She was baptized on January 1st, 1922, the feast of the Circumcision.

Despite her desire to join the cloister, her spiritual guides believed she'd be more impactful in the world. She pursued a teaching career and gave spiritual talks. Edith's devotion to Our Lady was evident; she often prayed at the foot of a statue of the Pietà.

In 1932, she secured a teaching position at the University of Münster. However, Hitler's rise to power in 1933 meant Jews could no longer teach. She then became a Carmelite, taking the name Teresa Benedicta of the Cross. As the situation for Jews in Germany worsened, she moved to Holland for safety. In 1940, her sister Rosa joined her. Despite the challenges, St. Teresa remained steadfast in her faith.

In 1942, the persecution of Jews intensified in Holland. After a Catholic protest against this persecution, the Nazis retaliated. St. Teresa and Rosa were arrested. In captivity, St. Teresa was a beacon of hope, comforting others. On August 9th, 1942, they arrived in Auschwitz and were likely sent to the gas chambers. Yet, her faith remained unshaken, embodying the words of Christ, "everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die." [John 11:26 - Everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/11?26]

00:00 - Introduction
00:18 - Birth and Early Life
01:05 - Pursuit of Academia
02:06 - Conversion to Catholicism
03:20 - Teaching Career
03:59 - Kristallnacht
05:14 - Writing in Carmel
06:37 - Hiding from Nazis
07:14 - Arrest and Deportation
08:05 - Comforting Others in Captivity
08:50 - Martyrdom in Auschwitz

Ave Maria!

Mass: St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein) - Opt Mem - http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=179
Readings: Wednesday 18th Week of Ordinary Time - http://usccb.org/bible/readings/080923.cfm
1st: num 13:1-2, 25-14:1, 26-29, 34-35
Resp: psa 106:6-7, 13-14, 21-23
Gsp: mat 15:21-28

More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=1129&r=1465

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