August 9: Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein), Virgin and Martyr—Optional Memorial
1891–1942
Patron Saint of Europe
Canonized by Pope John Paul II in 1998
Liturgical Color: Red
Quote:
Holy Father! As a child of the Jewish people who, by the grace of God, for the past eleven years has also been a child of the Catholic Church, I dare to speak to the Father of Christianity about that which oppresses millions of Germans…For years the leaders of National Socialism have been preaching hatred of the Jews. Now that they have seized the power of government and armed their followers, among them proven criminal elements, this seed of hatred has germinated…We all, who are faithful children of the Church and who see the conditions in Germany with open eyes, fear the worst for the prestige of the Church, if the silence continues any longer. We are convinced that this silence will not be able in the long run to purchase peace with the present German government. For the time being, the fight against Catholicism will be conducted quietly and less brutally than against Jewry, but no less systematically. Before long no Catholic will be able to hold office in Germany unless he dedicates himself unconditionally to the new course of action. At the feet of your Holiness, requesting your apostolic blessing ~Sister Teresa Benedicta, letter to Pope Pius XI, 1933
Prayer:
Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, you saw human suffering firsthand and allowed your reflections on that experience to open your mind and heart to a deeper understanding of the truth. You found the deepest truths in the life of Saint Teresa of Ávila and unhesitatingly entered the Church and convent. Please pray for me, that I will always be open to the deepest and most mysterious truths of our faith, especially the mystery of the Cross, so that I will live Christ’s Cross in my own life to the fullest extent that I am able. Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, pray for me. Jesus, I trust in You.
Source of content: mycatholic.life
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Cologne Carmel Archives, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
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