Edith Stein, an intellectual, became an assistant to the philosopher Edmund Husserl. Eventually Edith became a Catholic and joined the Carmelites, an order the pope has always had a special love for. Edith took the religious name of Sister Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, in honor of Teresa of Ávila, whose writings first introduced her to the Gospels.

Pope John Paul II canonized Edith Stein on October 11, 1998. The beatification and canonization of Edith Stein holds special meaning for John Paul II. Edith was born to a Jewish family in what is now Wroclaw, Poland. She and her sister Rose were to die in Auschwitz, a Polish town near the home of the pope and his family. The pope gave her to the Church as a role model for modern-day women as a philosopher, writer, social activist, and contemplative.

Family Activity

	Mention that Edith Stein struggled with faith throughout her life. For a time, she was an atheist. Help everyone see that being holy doesn’t mean having all the answers and never having any doubts.

	•		Write questions to ask Edith Stein about her Jewish faith and her Christian faith, as well as questions about her life as an atheist.
	•		Research to find more information to help answer questions as Edith Stein might have answered them.

See the Liturgical Calendar on this site for additional information.
See also Catechist—Lent or Teacher—Lent for Liturgy.