St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross

In this episode, Tom Shrewsbury delves into the remarkable life of Edith Stein, born in 1891 into a devout Jewish family. Initially, an atheist and an intellectual rooted in philosophy and existentialism, Edith’s encounter with the profound faith of her friends and her later discovery of Christian texts led to a dramatic transformation. Despite her deep scholarly pursuits, it was the autobiography of Saint Teresa of Avila that profoundly impacted her, culminating in her conversion to Catholicism and later, her entry into the Carmelite convent taking the name Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross.

Her journey of faith deepened amidst the rise of Nazism, which inevitably led to her death in Auschwitz in 1942 alongside her sister, Rosa. Edith Stein’s story is a powerful testament to the transformative power of faith and the impact of personal suffering and sacrifice for a higher spiritual calling. Tom emphasizes Edith’s legacy and her canonization as a saint in 1998, reflecting on her intellectual journey from doubt to devout Christian faith, symbolizing hope and resilience amidst profound adversity.

Chapter 1: Introduction to Existentialism – Tom begins by explaining existentialism, setting the stage for Edith Stein’s journey from atheism to sainthood. [00:00:00]

Chapter 2: Edith Stein’s Early Life – Exploring the formative years and intellectual upbringing of Edith Stein in a devout Jewish family. [00:02:14]

Chapter 3: Academic Pursuits – Edith’s early disdain for traditional schooling ultimately leads her to study philosophy and other subjects in university. [00:04:20]

Chapter 4: Spiritual Dilemmas – Tom delves into Edith’s growing skepticism toward her religious upbringing and her turn towards atheism. [00:06:13]

Chapter 5: Encounter with Christianity – Edith’s exposure to the Christian faith through her professor’s tragic death and his inspiring notes. [00:08:50]

Chapter 6: Seeds of Faith – Tom discusses the pivotal moments and influences that started to challenge Edith’s atheist convictions. [00:10:47]

Chapter 7: Conversion to Catholicism – Edith’s transformative encounter with the writings of Saint Teresa of Avila, leading to her conversion. [00:14:29]

Chapter 8: Life of Service – Following her conversion, Edith devotes her life to teaching and translating while deepening her spiritual practices. [00:15:25]

Chapter 9: Final Years and Martyrdom – Edith’s final years are marked by Nazi persecution, culminating in her death at Auschwitz. [00:17:37]

Chapter 10: Legacy and Canonization – Reflection on Edith Stein’s sainthood, her philosophical and spiritual contributions, and her enduring legacy. [00:20:47]

St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, also known as Edith Stein, was a German Jewish philosopher who became a Catholic nun and martyr during World War II. Born in 1891 in Breslau, Germany, she studied philosophy and eventually converted to Catholicism in 1922. She entered the Discalced Carmelite convent in Cologne in 1933, taking the name Teresa Benedicta of the Cross. Despite her efforts to avoid persecution, she was arrested in 1942 and died in the Auschwitz concentration camp. St. Teresa Benedicta was canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church in 1998 and is considered a martyr for her faith. She is remembered for her intellect, spiritual writings, and courageous witness to her beliefs in the face of persecution. She is now honored as the patron saint of Europe and of martyrs.