Living Without School: St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross ( Edith Stein)

Thursday, August 10, 2006

St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross ( Edith Stein)

August 9 is the Opional Memorial of Teresa Benedicta of the Cross.

Also known as Edith Stein.

A convert to Catholicism . She died in Auschwitz.

She wrote - The teacher thus needs a basic education in dogma and asceticism. Apologetics is certainly also good, but the former seems more important to me: ready arguments, as right as they may be, often do not have penetrating force. But she whose soul is formed through the truths of faith -- and I call this ascetic formation -- finds words which are proper for this human being and for this moment respectively.

And also - Everywhere the need exists for maternal sympathy and help, and thus we are able to recapitulate in the one word motherliness that which we have developed as the characteristic value of woman. Only, the motherliness must be that which does not remain within the narrow circle of blood relations or of personal friends; but in accordance with the model of the Mother of Mercy, it must have its root in universal divine love for all who are there, belabored and burdened.

Very inspiring to this homeschooling, working mother.

2 comments:

Cindy said...: Lovely, Leonie.

I registered Stephen (well really the whole family) for the online high school formation class on www.catechismclass.com

One thing I really like is that each day they have the saint of the day (according to liturgial year) with a short bio. This is so good for me as being a convert I did not grow up with the saints, so I am getting a survey course in them.

Yesterday was (as you know) Edith Stein. I feel so drawn to her and your quotes are beautiful. Do you know of any good links to her writings?

And, yes, it makes me feel I understand even more my maternal role. Not just with my kids, but the world. Sometimes people just need a 'mom' to understand them and let them share and just be. As Dr. Phil says.. "a soft place to fall".; 11:40 pm
Leonie said...: So, what does the catechism class entail? Sounds interesting.

A number of Edith Stein's writings are online. Or critiques, with references to her works. Some examples -

works of Edith Stein

life and texts of edith stein

quotes at Wikipedia

Wikipedia article on Edith Stein; 8:25 am

Post a Comment

Prayer of Consecration of St. Maximilian Kolbe

O Immaculata, Queen of Heaven and earth, refuge of sinners and our most loving Mother, God has willed to entrust the entire order of mercy to thee. I, N___, a repentant sinner, cast myself at thy feet humbly imploring thee to take me with all that I am and have, wholly to thyself as thy possession and property. Please make of me, of all my powers of soul and body, of my whole life, death and eternity, whatever most pleases thee. If it pleases thee, use all that I am and have without reserve, wholly to accomplish what was said of thee: "She will crush your head," and, "Thou alone have destroyed all heresies in the whole world."

Let me be a fit instrument in thine Immaculate and merciful hands for introducing and increasing the maximum in all the many strayed and indifferent souls, and thus help extend as far as possible the blessed Kingdom of the most Sacred Heart of Jesus. For wherever thou enters, one obtains the grace of conversion and growth in holiness, since it is through thy hands that all graces come to us from the most Sacred Heart of Jesus.

V. Allow me to praise thee O Sacred Virgin.
R. Give me strength against thy enemies.

Prayer of St Bonaventure

Pierce, O most Sweet Lord Jesus, my inmost soul with the most joyous and healthful wound of Thy love, with true, serene, and most holy apostolic charity, that my soul may ever languish and melt with love and longing for Thee, that it may yearn for Thee and faint for Thy courts, and long to be dissolved and to be with Thee.Grant that my soul may hunger after Thee, the bread of angels, the refreshment of holy souls, our daily and supersubstantial bread, having all sweetness and savor and every delight of taste; let my heart ever hunger after and feed upon Thee, upon whom the angels desire to look, and may my inmost soul be filled with the sweetness of Thy savor; may it ever thirst after Thee, the fountain of life, the fountain of wisdom and knowledge, the fountain of eternal light, the torrent of pleasure, the richness of the house of God.May it ever compass Thee, seek Thee, find Thee, run to Thee, attain Thee, meditate upon Thee, speak of Thee, and do all things to the praise and glory of Thy name, with humility and discretion, with love and delight, with ease and affection, and with perseverance unto the end.May Thou alone be ever my hope, my entire assurance, my riches, my delight, my pleasure, my joy, my rest and tranquility, my peace, my sweetness, my fragrance, my sweet savor, my food, my refreshment, my refuge, my help, my wisdom, my portion, my possession and my treasure, in whom may my mind and my heart be fixed and firmly rooted immovably henceforth and for ever. Amen.