Auschwitz-Birkenau, "White House" place, where St. Edith Stein died The Way of the Cross in Auschwitz- Birkenau Because of you we are being killed all day long, and accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Rouse yourself! Why do you sleep, O Lord? Awake, do not cast us off forever! Why do you hide your face? Why do you forget our affliction and oppression? For we sink down to the dust; our bodies cling to the ground. Rise up, come to our help. Redeem us for the sake of your steadfast love. Ps 44:22-26 VIII. Station Jesus comforts the crying women
A large crowd of people followed Jesus including many women who mourned and lamented him. Jesus turned to them and said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep instead for yourselves and for your children." Lk 23:27-28 Memories of the camp: In the woods, behind the Auschwitz II camp, two houses from evacuated Polish people were rebuilt as gas chambers. One of them was called "the white house" or "Bunker II". Close by two other barracks were built, in these the people were made to undress before entering the gas chambers. The corpses were then burnt in four open ditches that were nearby. It was here that many Dutch Catholics of Jewish origin were deported to. Amongst those brought here in the summer of 1942 was Edith Stein - the Carmelite nun Sr Teresa Benedicta of the Cross with her sister Rosa. Meditation: Jesus consoles the crying women. Although He is in suffering He is able to rise above Himself and be aware, and present, to take note of the pain of others. The more we know ourselves and work with ourselves, the more we can become truly free from self.' It is then possible for us to be aware of the suffering of others. We remember Edith Stein who also opened our eyes to the suffering of others. She, a Jewish Carmelite sister, leads us Christians to the Jews, and into solidarity with the victims who were killed here. Intercession "It's always aware for me in my life, that we havn't here a place for ever. I have no other desire than that in me and through me God's will be done. With him it is, as long as he leaves me here and what will come. In manibus tuis sortes meae. (Psalm. 31,16) ". (16/04/1939, Edith Stein in her letter to Petra Brüning) We thank our God for the Holy Teresia Benedicta, for the example of her life's devotion in the fulfillment of your will. Help us in this difficult time of Europe to find our responsibilities and tasks to contribute to peace in the world. We beseech Thee, hear us! (prayer from Hungary, July 2015)
Litany in Honor of Saint Edith Stein Teresia Benedicta of the Cross V. Lord, have mercy. R. Christ, have mercy. V. Lord, have mercy. Christ hear us. R. Christ graciously hear us God the Father in heaven God the Son, Redeemer of the world God the Holy Spirit Holy Mary, Mother of God, Holy Mary, Queen of Peace, Holy Edith Stein, passionate seeker of meaning and truth helper in spiritual and material distress devoted to the Holy Cross blessed by the Cross model of humility have mercy on us. have mercy on us. have mercy on us.... who searched for God our examplar in prayer outstanding daughter of Israel saint of our church and of Carmel spiritual daughter of St. Teresa of Avila and of St. John of the Cross eager student of St. Benedict model of charity and of peace comforter of the sad and desperate sensitive teacher of the Christian faith examplar of total dedication fully absorbed in God martyr in Auschwitz symbol of atonement woman of prayer for peace our advocate Patron Saint of Europe
V. Lamb of God, You take away the sins of the world, R. Spare us, O Lord. V. Lamb of God, You take away the sins of the world, R. Graciously hear us, O Lord. V. Lamb of God, You take away the sins of the world, R. Have mercy on us. R. Pray for us, Saint Teresia Benedicta of the Cross, V. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. R. Let us pray: God, our Father you led the holy martyr Teresa Benedicta of the Cross to know your crucified Son and to imitate him even unto death. She offered her life to you for peace in the world. May we through her intercession seek to find effective ways and measures that lead to peace in our own hearts, to peace with our neighbors, and to peace among all nations and beliefs. We ask this through the intercession of St Teresia Benedicta of the Cross and in the Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ who lives and reigns withyou in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.
Isaiah 2, 2-5 2Now it will come about that In the last days The mountain of the house of the LORD Will be established as the chief of the mountains, And will be raised above the hills; And all the nations will stream to it. 3And many peoples will come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, To the house of the God of Jacob; That He may teach us concerning His ways And that we may walk in His paths." For the law will go forth from Zion And the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. 4And He will judge between the nations, And will render decisions for many peoples; And they will hammer their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, And never again will they learn war. 5Come, house of Jacob, and let us walk in the light of the LORD. Lord, make me an instrument of your peace; where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is conflict, healing where there is error, truth where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy. Lord, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood, as to understand; to be loved, as to love; for it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.