P. Gorazd Cetkovský, O.Carm.
When in September of this year, accompanied by the parishioners from Liboc and several other interested individuals, we undertook a pilgrimage to our partner parish in Fürstenau, Germany, we decided to focus part of it on places connected to the life of Edith Stein. One of the most impressive stops on our pilgrimage was in Münster at the church of St. Ludger. Edith experienced one very important prayer of her life here, as she mentioned in her memoirs titled “How I Came to the Cologne Carmelite Monastery.”1 After being prevented from continuing her teaching in the spring of 1933, the question arose anew with fresh strength: was the time finally right for her to fulfill the intention she had contemplated since her conversion (for twelve long years): to become a nun.
“April 30 – it was Good Shepherd Sunday – a thirteen-hour devotion was held at St. Ludger's Church in His honor. Late in the afternoon, I went there. I told myself that I would not leave until I had clarity about whether I was permitted to enter the convent. At the final blessing, I received an answer from the Good Shepherd: YES.”
Thus, we, the pilgrims, entrusted our own decisions (current and future) as well as all the difficult decisions of our loved ones to God in prayer at St. Ludger's Church. We prayed for all those who face an important choice...
Our attention was drawn in the church by a picture on the wall depicting Edith Stein. On the smaller reproductions that pilgrims can take from there, an interesting explanatory text is provided. I present it in loose translation to the readers of our magazine.
Two Great Pray-ers in the Church of St. Ludger in Münster
Niels Stensen (1638–1686) and Edith Stein (1891–1942) lived in different centuries. However, many things are common to both:
- Surnames (Stein means “stone” and Danish Stensen translates to “son of stone”).
- An enthusiasm for science (N. Stensen was an expert in medicine and paleontology, known throughout Europe, while Edith Stein is a respected philosopher).
- An inclination towards the Catholic faith (N. Stensen, originally Protestant, converted to the Catholic Church; Jewess Edith Stein received baptism).
- Acceptance of a spiritual vocation (both left successful scientific careers to dedicate themselves entirely to God and the Church).
- A willingness to follow Christ along the path of the cross (N. Stensen chose a heart with a cross as his episcopal symbol, while Edith Stein chose the name “Teresa Benedicta of the Cross” in Carmel, which can literally be translated as “Teresa blessed by the cross or: by the cross”).
- Participation in worship at St. Ludger's Church in Münster (N. Stensen served as bishop of Münster from 1683 to 1686 and was also the spiritual administrator at St. Ludger's Church; Edith Stein decisively decided to enter Carmel during prayer at St. Ludger's Church on April 30, 1933).
- Dying in complete darkness (N. Stensen died on November 25, 1686 in complete solitude in Schwerin; Edith Stein perished on August 9, 1942 in the gas chamber at the Auschwitz concentration camp).
- Beatification at the same time (Edith Stein was declared blessed on May 1, 1987 and canonized on October 11, 1998, while Niels Stensen was declared blessed on October 23, 1988).
All of these facts are reasons why these two witnesses of the Gospel are honored together in St. Ludger's Church. Therefore, the painter Gerhard van der Grinten depicted them in 1990 within the interior that is recognizable by its architecture as St. Ludger's Church. Niels Stensen and Edith Stein are part of the community that gathers here for prayer. They are portrayed as conversing with one another. Niels Stensen, a former anatomist, shows Edith an image of the heart muscle in an open book. However, the conversation concerns a spiritual dimension, as clearly indicated by the words from the prophet Ezekiel (36:26f.): “I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh – says the Lord. I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.” This “heart of flesh” is given to believers through the Crucified one, who opened His heart to the human heart, and thus gave us the Spirit of His love.
Both of these pray-ers believed in Jesus Christ (the episcopal cross of Niels Stensen points to faith), hoped in Him (despite the plans of anti-Semitic oppressors, the Jewish star on Sister Benedicta's habit symbolizes hope), but above all: Jesus was their life's love, to Him they gave their hearts. The three infused virtues – faith, hope, and love – must be the determining forces in the life of a Christian. These forces gave the lives of both of these witnesses of the Gospel a radiant appearance. And our community feels committed to giving praise to God, trusting in the intercession of these two saints from St. Ludger's Church, and with determination to follow Christ.
Prayer of Niels Stensen:
Divine Redeemer, I thank You for the endless love with which You love me. I no longer want to live, let You live in me, in my prayer, in my speaking, in my work, in my suffering, and in my sacrifices.
Guide me also in the future along Your path of grace, whether as one who sees or as one who is blind. For it is easier for You to lead me where You wish.
Give me faith in Your providence, teach me to surrender to Your holy will, let me abide in Your presence.
Let me hunger and thirst for Your glory, for work for Your kingdom. Let me love sinners, the suffering, the erring, and enemies. I ask for Your mercy for them, that we may all be holy and united in that unity for which You asked the heavenly Father at Your dying. May Your grace work in all of us, so that through mutual love we may truly become Your children.
Amen!
Prayer of Edith Stein:
Let us recall that her favorite psalm was Psalm 27 (26): The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?...
