The Science of the Cross

A meditation preached by Fr. Eric Nicolai at Kintore College in Toronto on August 10, 2024. Yesterday was the feast of St. Edith Stein, Theresa Benedicta of the Cross. Beatified in 1987 then canonized in 1998 by Pope John Paul II.  She is one of the 6 patrons of Europe. Both she and St. Lawrence (today's feast) were martyrs for the faith. She was a Jew that converted after reading Theresa of Avila, and studying with Edmund Husserl. Then she went on to become a Carmelite nun. She was killed at Auschwitz. In 1941 she wrote to a friend, who was also a member of her order: "One can only gain a "scientia crucis" (knowledge of the cross) if one has thoroughly experienced the cross. I have been convinced of this from the first moment onwards and have said with all my heart: 'Ave, Crux, Spes unica' (I welcome you, Cross, our only hope)." Her study on St. John of the Cross is entitled: "Kreuzeswissenschaft" (The Science of the Cross). How does this fit into our vocation? Music: FALL - Adrian Berenguer (Album Singularity)