August 9, feast of Saint Thérèse-Bénédicte de la Croix

Saint Thérèse-Bénédicte de la Croix , whose birth name was Edith Stein, was born into a Prussian Jewish family in 1891. At thirteen, she declared herself an atheist. She was brilliant , and in 1916, at the age of 25, earned a doctorate in philosophy at the University of Gottingen. Four years later, after reading a book by Saint Teresa of Avila , she converted to Catholicism, totally bowled over: "This is the truth". After leaving her job as a professor and philosopher, in 1933 she joined the convent of the Discalced Carmelites in Cologne, the reformed version of the order founded by Saint Teresa. She strives to translate the "seven dwellings" of Saint Teresa of Avila into her own life. St. Teresa Benedicta saw her vocation as "interceding with God for all". That's why she wanted to take on, with Christ, the pain of the Holy Cross, in order to suffer with her people and pray for them.

Unfortunately, the Second World War broke out in 1939, and despite her conversion, Edith Stein risked arrest by the Nazis because of her origin. So the sisters organized her escape to the Netherlands. But she and her sister were arrested on August 2, 1942. She was deported to Auschwitz, where she died a martyr's death a week after her arrival.

Saint Theresa Benedicta of the Cross was canonized by Pope John Paul II  on October 11, 1998, and celebratedon August 9 as the patron saint of martyrs, and co-patron saint of Europe since 1999, along with Saint Brigid of Sweden and Saint Catherine of Siena .

Praise for the feast of Saint Theresa Benedicta

" Word of God, you teach us to forgive the torturer who tortures, to turn the other cheek to the one who strikes us, to give without measure to the one who asks. Blessed are you, Word of God! True Son of God, you teach us never to be afraid of our fears, to respond to threats with songs, to fight with those who are oppressed. True Son of God, praise be to You! "

Two beautiful prayers by Saint Edith Stein to recite on August 9

" You gaze into mine with love, and listen to my feeble words, and fill the depths of my heart with peace. Yet your love is not satisfied in this exchange that leaves a separation. Your heart desires much more. Your body mysteriously crosses mine and your soul unites with mine: I am no longer what I once was. You come and you go, but you leave behind you the seed you sowed for the glory to come, buried in a body of dust. Amen. "

" When storms rage, you, Lord, are our strength.
We will praise you, the strong God who is our constant help.
We stand firm by you, putting our trust in you, even if the earth is shaken and the sea becomes stormy.

Let the waves swell and break, let the mountains sway, joy will light us up, the city of God gives you thanks.

In her you dwell, preserving her holy peace.
And a mighty river protects God's sublime dwelling.

Mad peoples rage, the power of states collapses.
Behold, he raises his voice, the earth rumbles, shaken.
But the Lord is with us, the Lord, the God of Sabaoth.
You are light and salvation for us, we must not fear.

Come, all of you, and behold the wonders of his power: all wars die, the bowstring is loosened.
Throw into the blaze of fire shield and weapon of war.
The Lord, the God of Sabaoth, helps us in every distress. Amen." 

Continue your prayer with Saint Theresa Benedicta of the Cross thanks to Hozana!

With Hozana, take part in wonderful novenas and discover a Gospel passage every day!