Edith Stein was the youngest child of a large Jewish family. She received a doctorate in philosophy, then lectured, taught and wrote for years. Eventually, she became interested in Catholicism and was baptized in Cologne, Germany in 1922. Eleven years later she entered the Cologne Carmel. In 1934, she was clothed as a Carmelite.
By 1938, persecution of the Jews, and those who sheltered them, was pervasive in Germany. Edith Stein relocated to the Carmel in Echt, Holland. There she prayed that God would comfort the Jewish people and lead them to the Catholic Church. She is known to have said, "Ave Crux, spes unica," or, "Hail Cross, our only hope."
After the Nazi occupation of Holland, Gestapo agents arrested Edith Stein and her sister, Rosa, sending them to the concentration camp at Auschwitz. There Edith Stein, whose religious name was Sister Teresia Benedicta of the Cross, and her sister died in a crowded gas chamber on 9 August 1942.
Edith Stein was known as caring, gentle and humble; wanting only a closer union with God. Edith Stein was canonized on 11 October 1998.
In this icon, the yellow Star of David represents Edith Stein's Jewish heritage. The flames in the nimbus characterize her immolation in the gas chamber as well as her religious fervor. The red rose entwined in the barbed wire of Auschwitz symbolizes her martyrdom.
(This narrative is printed on the back of Note Cards. A copy is included with each plaque and photo.)
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