St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross

A long time ago, in Poland, a baby girl named Edith Stein was born on a very special day — the Jewish feast of Yom Kippur, a day when people pray and ask God for forgiveness. Her family was very happy, especially her mother, who loved God deeply. Edith was the youngest of eleven children in a big, loving Jewish family.

When Edith was only two years old, her father died, and her strong mother had to take care of the whole family and run their business. Edith missed her father, but she grew up learning to be brave and kind.

As she got older, Edith became a very smart student. She loved to read and learn, and she was always curious about the world. But when she was a teenager, Edith stopped praying and said she didn’t believe in God anymore. Still, God never stopped believing in her!

When Edith grew up, she went to college and became a teacher and writer. She also helped nurses and soldiers during World War I, showing kindness to people who were sick or hurt. One day, while resting in a quiet church, Edith saw a woman stop her busy day just to pray. This made Edith think, “Maybe God is real after all.”

Later, Edith read a book about Saint Teresa of Ávila, and it changed her heart. She stayed up all night reading it and said,

“This is the Truth!”

Soon after, Edith decided to become a Catholic. She was baptized on January 1, 1927, and her best friend became her godmother. Edith loved Jesus very much and wanted to give her whole life to Him.

Edith became a Carmelite nun, a sister who prays and lives simply for God. She took a new name:

Sister Teresa Benedicta of the Cross.

Sister Teresa prayed for everyone—especially for her Jewish family and for peace in the world.

But a very sad time came when leaders called the Nazis began to hurt Jewish people and others who loved God. Sister Teresa and her sister Rosa, who had also become Catholic, were taken away from their convent. Before leaving, Sister Teresa said,

“Come, we are going for our people.”

Sister Teresa and Rosa died in a concentration camp, but we remember them as brave and holy women who loved God and others until the very end.

Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross teaches us that God has a beautiful plan for every life, even when it’s hard to see it. She trusted God completely and showed that love and faith can shine even in dark times.

Saint Edith Stein, pray for us and for all people who suffer.