Mary Lea Hill FSP - Saint Edith Stein

Saint Edith Stein

(Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, OCD)

Blessed by the Cross

Written by
Mary Lea Hill, FSP

Illustrated by
Mari Goering

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Hill, Mary Lea.
Saint Edith Stein (Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, O.C.D.) :
blessed by the Cross / written by Mary Lea Hill ; illustrated by
Mari Goering.
p. cm. (Encounter the saints series ; 5)
Summary: A biography of the Jewish philosopher and convert to
Catholicism who was put to death at Auschwitz during World War
II and canonized by Pope John Paul II in 1998.
ISBN 0-8198-7036-6 (pbk.)
1. Stein, Edith, 18911942Juvenile literature. 2. Christian
saintsGermanyBiographyJuvenile literature. [1. Stein, Edith,
18911942.
2. Saints. 3. WomenBiography.] I. Goering, Mari, 1948 ill. II.
Title. III. Series.
BX4700.S74 H55 1999
282.092dc21
[B] 99-058644

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5 6 7 8 9 16 15 14 13 12

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Shepherds of Fatima

Blessed John Paul II

The Peoples Pope

Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati

Journey to the Summit

Blessed Teresa of Calcutta

Missionary of Charity

Journeys with Mary

Apparitions of Our Lady

Saint Anthony of Padua

Fire and Light

Saint Bakhita of Sudan

Forever Free

Saint Bernadette Soubirous

And Our Lady of Lourdes

Saint Catherine Labour

And Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal

Saint Clare of Assisi

A Light for the World

Saint Damien of Molokai

Hero of Hawaii

Saint Edith Stein

Blessed by the Cross

Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton

Daughter of America

Saint Faustina Kowalska

Messenger of Mercy

Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini

Cecchinas Dream

Saint Francis of Assisi

Gentle Revolutionary

Saint Gianna Beretta Molla

The Gift of Life

Saint Ignatius of Loyola

For the Greater Glory of God

Saint Isaac Jogues

With Burning Heart

Saint Joan of Arc

Gods Soldier

Saint John Vianney

A Priest for All People

Saint Juan Diego

And Our Lady of Guadalupe

Saint Katharine Drexel

The Total Gift

Saint Martin de Porres

Humble Healer

Saint Maximilian Kolbe

Marys Knight

Saint Paul

The Thirteenth Apostle

Saint Pio of Pietrelcina

Rich in Love

Saint Teresa of Avila

Joyful in the Lord

Saint Thrse of Lisieux

The Way of Love

For other childrens titles on the saints, visit our Web site:
www.pauline.org.

It was so dark. She could feel, hear and even smell the other people, but she could see no one. There must not be any stars out tonight, Sister Benedicta thought, straining to see even a sliver of light. Dear God, its 1942! Who would have thought that such a thing could happen now?

They had been moving very steadily for a couple of hours. The constant click, clack, clack of the trains wheels pounding down the track filled the awful silence. Sister Benedicta was able to recollect her thoughts a bit and pray. Thank you, Lord, for allowing me to be here with my people. Have mercy....

All around the nun was a chorus of muffled sighs and moans. She suddenly became aware of soft sobbing right next to her. Are you crying?

I cant get my mother to talk to me, a desperate little voice whimpered. She only cries. She wont answer me.

Your Mama is very tired, dear. Things will get better, youll see, Sister Benedicta soothed. Tell me, whats your name?

Edith Weiss.

Edith! My, that was my name, too. Now Im called Sister Benedicta. Here, can you take this? Sister Benedicta said, as she tried to place a handkerchief in little Ediths unseen hand. Better now? she asked. Edith, you know that even when mamas are very, very tired, they are special people.

Really?

Oh, yes! They are a special gift from God. God made mothers so that he could love us more.

What about fathers? asked the little girl.

Certainly, fathers, too. God is our Father, isnt that so? She touched the tired little face leaning against her arm. Yes! The King of the universe is our Father, Edith. Even though we wish he would show it more clearly now, Im certain hes caring for us right here in this train. Our fathers and mothers cant always give us what we want, or what they know would be best.... But even when they cant give us these things, they still love us very, very much. Sister Benedicta paused and gently stroked Ediths tear-stained cheek. Do you believe this? Of course, you do. Right now our Heavenly Father would like to give us only what is good and comfortable and warm. But because he doesnt, do you think he loves us less?

Little Edith nestled even further into the unseen folds of Sister Benedictas robes. She let out a tiny muffled sigh.

Not less, little Edith, but so much more! He is our Fatherour loving Father. We are his chosen ones. Now no more talking for a while. Try to rest. I wont let you fall. Close your eyes. Think of Gods love.

Sister Benedicta caressed the childs hair and soon felt the little girl relax, her head nodding. She knew the little one was dozing, even if fitfully. Oh, Jesus, she whispered, please protect these young ones... and all of us, who are your Fathers children.

Half dozing herself now, Sister Benedicta felt her mothers arms around her, hearing her loving words. In her mind, it was that frightening day years ago in 1893 when her father had died. Mama Stein was gently rocking her youngest daughter. Dont cry, my darling. Papa has gone to heaven, but he will continue to watch over his little girl. At this very moment, he is probably telling God what a good girl his little Edith is. Two years old, but so good.

Me, too, Mama? Me, too! wailed four-year-old Erna. Mama reached out and pulled her close too.

It was always that way, Edith and Erna, Erna and Edith. They were the two youngest children in the Stein family. It seemed impossible to speak of one without the other. The two little girls were alike in many ways and yet so different in others. The older children called them Open and Closed. Erna was a simple, direct child, clear as water, while Edith was more complex and seemed to be a book sealed with seven seals.