Embracing Edith Stein: Wisdom for Women from St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross

by Anne Costa

Join author Anne Costa as she shares the wisdom of Edith Stein. While the author never knew Edith Stein personally, her writings had a profound affect on her, and she came to view Edith Stein as a spiritual friend.

Embracing Edith Stein shows how the different aspects of the life and teachings of St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross can serve as a guide for women and their unique vocation today. Written in a friendly, conversational style, this is one woman sharing the story of her friendship with this saint with her readers.

Genres: Catholic, Religion, Spirituality, Christian, Faith, Nonfiction, Christianity

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 31, 2014

Reviews

[Lexi Saunders · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most influential books of my life - the author embarks upon the mystery of woman through a lens of reality while keeping in mind the divine grace that women are given. In an era of feminism, this book helps to answer questions about who and what we women are created for.

[Bethanie Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anne Costa’s book, Embracing Edith Stein, was my traveling companion on my recent trip to MO. I wish I had spent more than a few hours with her. I fully intend to revisit her someday when I have several days to digest her teachings.

Anyone who has followed this blog for any length of time knows that I love Edith Stein. I think that she is the mother of the New Feminism whose writings are largely untapped gold. Her teachings currently lives primarily though the voice of John Paul II. As Costa says herself:

"Edith’s Essays on Women seem to be so directly foundational to the writings and works of Pope John Paul II’s Theology of the Body that the two are like inseparable companions. Together, these two intellectual and spiritual powerhouses have transformed our understanding of human dignity in the context of a worldwide culture that is hell-bent on self-destruction. They are, in the fullest sense of the words, prophets of life who have provided us with a body of knowledge that can lead to a rich and transcendent self-understanding that calls upon women to embrace our potential and exercise our responsibility to “aid humanity in not falling.” – pg. 81

Someday, I hope and pray that her teachings live and breathe through their own right.

This book is an admirable attempt to do just that. Costa makes Edith Stein’s work on the dignity of women digestible for a non-academic audience. She introduces you to Edith Stein’s life and thought. She then breaks down for you the four traits that are part of the feminine genius according to Edith Stein. Each chapter concludes with reflective questions which makes this book ideal for personal or group study.

But enough about the mechanics, Edith Stein, through Anne Costa’s book, points us to the way to become holier, more Christ-like women fulfilling our vocations in this fallen world. First in foremost, we need to be open to God and His will. If we are open to God, God will do all of the rest. We are to be like Mary:

"Women are uniquely called to receive Christ and bring him into the world, as Mary did."- pg. 51

If you are like me, you may not initially like that example. Like the lyrics of the hymn, “Gentle woman, quiet light…” You think Mary and you think of the weak, meek woman who is a doormat, the stereotypical docile Marianismo (the female counterpart to machismo). But Mary wasn’t weak. Think about it: Mary could have been stoned to death for being pregnant out-of-wedlock. Mary followed her Son, who everyone thought was crazy, all the way to His death. She watched her Son die. This is not the story of a meek woman. Yes, she was humble in following her Lord, but she was nobody’s doormat.

Why do we need Edith Stein in today’s world? Just as Mary was a woman from 2000 years ago in Palestine, Stein was a woman 70 years ago in Nazi Germany. What does either of them have to say for women in the United States in 2014?

"Simply put: We need her wisdom and example. The world is in desperate need of women who understand their inherent value and dignity; faith-filled women who are prepared to shape the world and influence the direction of humanity by who they are. As Edith states, “[God] has called women in all times to the most intimate union with Him: they are to be emissaries of his love, proclaimers of His will to kings and popes, and forerunners of His Kingdom in the hearts of men…[It] is the most sublime vocation which has been given, and whoever sees this way open before her will yearn for no other way.” -pg. 93

Yup, that pretty much covers it.

This review originally appeared on Bethanie Ryan's blog: http://truedignityofwomen.wordpress.com/

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I most enjoyed the first section where we learned about Edith’s life and how she came to her faith.

[Elena · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book that teaches you about Saint Edith Stein, and also a woman’s role in the Church and modern society. It was really amazing to read and discuss in my religious women’s group. On my own, sometimes the writing was a bit elevated for me. I think I prefer a simpler writing style, but that just my own preference. I definitely recommend every women read this book!

[Karina]

I wanted a recently published book about Edith Stein (St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross) and found this. It is sort of short (110pages). Just finished chapter one which is a brief biographical account of her life with a few quotes from those who knew her, and fewer quotes from the saint herself. This may be a way to start to learn about her...

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

From this book, I learned enough about Edith Stein to want to study her in greater depth. I’ve ordered the ENDOW study on her and hope to go through it with a group of women later this fall.

[Caitlyn Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so encouraged and inspired after reading about the life and writings of Edith Stein! I thought the specific topics in each chapter were well chosen and the book flowed well practically. There are thoughtful questions at the end of each chapter for further reflection that go beyond normal "devotional" type books. This is a great book to go through yourself or with a group! (Note that Edith embraced Catholicism and became a Discalced Carmelite nun, so there is a lot of Catholic theology & language in the book. It can still be enjoyed by a Protestant audience, there just might be some terms and ideas that need further explanation if you're not familiar with the Catholic faith- and the final chapter centering around Mother Mary may be uncomfortable to some.)

Read if you want to learn more about an inspirational German Jewish philosopher who lived a selfless life and wrote brilliantly on the feminine soul and Christian spirituality!

[Rachel Vryhof · Rating 4 out of 5]

A chapter of biography and then the rest is reflections on various aspects of womanhood in terms of faith and the world we live in.

I really enjoyed the organization of this book and the reflection questions really make you dig a bit deeper into the concepts. Some of the questions I used ChatGPT to help me understand what the question was asking, and without it I may have given up and moved on.

Great for group study or a personal retreat.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m really glad I read this one. I knew little to nothing about her life and so I really enjoyed finding out more about her in chapter one. The rest of the chapters were basically intros to and reflections on her writings, which I appreciated. I didn’t realize they align so much with JPII’s Theology of the Body. I’m definitely adding her Essays on Women to my TBR.

[Denisele · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It stirred up many good memories of studying theology of the body and the letter to women about 12 years ago. It was both challenging and affirming. Incredibly relevant. I enjoyed the content as well as the chapter length, texture of the book/pages, and the layout with some "pondering" prompts at the end of each chapter. A great study for an individual or group.

[Gretchen Schott · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for every woman, especially Catholic women. I was gifted my copy of this book and devoured its contents. Anne Costa shares so authentically her own journey in understanding authentic feminism as well as describes the work of Edith Stein and Saint Pope John Paul II so beautifully. A great book for a women’s book club too!

[Lara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short and approachable set of reflections on the writings of Edith Stein (and JP II) on the nature and roles of women. Parts of this book caused me to think, reflect, and feel inspired. And some parts didn't speak to me as much. But overall, I appreciated this book.

[Devon Smolak · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read this with an open mind...

[Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing super new to me. It’s an introduction to Edith Stein’s main themes/concepts found in her writings, which definitely makes me want to read more of the direct source material.

[Heidi · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved the quotes. I liked the introduction to Edith.

[Lauren Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really touched my heart about the beauty of the essence of woman and how we are all called to fruitfulness in spiritual motherhood. Important reading for our times.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

a really interesting book about a saint I knew nothing about. Read for my book club.

[Cris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised to find a book written for the laity on Edith Stein's contributions to the study of woman. Though very influential, she is relatively unknown. Ms. Costa's book distills Edith's thoughts from her various writings and speeches on the education of woman. She comes away with 4 principles of femininity: receptivity, generosity, sensitivity and maternity. While, I would not say that those are the exact principles St. Benedicta was proposing, or at least I would not synthesize her ideas under those headings, I have to approve of Ms. Costa's initiative in writing this book. No male theologians concerning themselves with this topic and Pia Solemni is writting about the cover of Pottery Barn or was it Gucci catalogs.

[Melissa Howe · Rating 2 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVE Edith Stein, she has felt like a long lost friend the moment I read the first bit of her work... but alas, I did not love this book. It pains me to say that, because I naturally love all things Edith :)
I found this book took too much time away from Edith to spend on other things that I simply wasn't interested in. I bet this book will help some young women discover more about themselves, but I really just wanted some good solid Edith Stein theology, and for me, this book lacked.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and took copious notes. So many great Edith Stein quotes, and more. Read my review here:

http://readingcatholic.com/theology-f...

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

1) Love Edith Stein
2) very concise and wise words for women who want to grow in their femininity and become more themselves. This is still one of the most influential books in my life, the second time around.

[Gail Berna-Dompke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really found a soul sister in Edith Stein. A feminist seeing the true value of women without the hate.