The Communion of Saints in Heaven abound with holy men and women. Studying their lives can bring us closer to God because we learn how ordinary men and women achieved extraordinary feats in their lives. A few years ago I learned about a modern-day martyr, Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross. Here’s a short biography provided by Magnificat:
Edith Stein was born of Jewish parents in 1891, becoming an influential philosopher following her extensive studies at major German universities. Following her conversion to Catholicism she became a major force in German intellectual life, entering the Discalced Carmelites in 1933. Sister Teresa Benedicta was arrested by the Nazi regime on August 2, 1942, along with all Catholics of Jewish extraction, and transported by cattle train to the death camp of Auschwitz where she died in the gas chambers that same year.
This saint has personal connection to me that have always tugged at my heart. My late and beloved mother’s birthday is August 2. I recall my mother and I discussing how on my mother’s fourteenth birthday this holy woman began her walk to her death. Mother was saddened at this thought. We said to ourselves that while Sister Teresa Benedicta walked to the gas chambers, my mother was living in South Texas and, no doubt, complaining about the hot Texas summer sun. I recall vividly the sad smile she gave me when I read this post to her. Little did we know that eight months later she, too, would endure the final days of her earthly life.
I have often pondered on how God from His heavenly throne was gazing upon both daughters on that August day in 1942. He sent His mercy and love to help Edith endure the last hours of her earthly life and Petra to embark on her journey of a Catholic mother. And, He continues to do so for all of us. He watches us and send us the grace to meet our unique life situations. Oh, what a loving Father we have!
This lovely prayer composed by St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross may help us overcome those bumps in the road in our lives.
[pullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]O my God fill my soul with holy joy, courage, and strength to serve you. Enkindle your love in me and then walk with me along the next stretch of road before me. I do not see very far ahead, but when I have arrived where the horizon now closes down, a new prospect will open before me, and I shall meet it with peace.[/pullquote]