|
Edith Stein
Sister Teresia Benedicta |
|
|
Edith Stein
Sister Teresia Benedicta |
|
1. Proof of a single miracle is required for the Church to declare the person "venerated" or "venerable."
2. Beatification - if the individual is martyred for the faith or there is a second miracle the person is declared "beatified."
3. Finally, one more miracle must be proven for the individual to be recognized as a saint.
1942
Sister Teresia Benedicta dragged by railway car across Europe. Huddled with terrified children, she speaks reassuring words and tries to gives comfort. With millions of other Jews, she is striped of all dignity, starved, and brutally abused. She proclaims love in a world of unspeakable hatred. In the shadows of the smoke stacks and the stench of burning flesh, she ministers to all of God's people. On August 9th 1942 Sister Teresia Benedicta passed through the gas chamber door and entered the kingdom of heaven.
|
"She lived a contemplative life in the midst of difficulty. She offered her life for the Jewish people." - Fr. Kieran Kavanaugh |
1984, August 8
Melkite Catholic priest, Father Emmanual Charles McCarthy and his wife Mary give birth to a daughter. They recognize that this child is born on the anniversary of the death of Sister Teresia Benedicta (August 9 at Auschwitz). Two days later Father McCarthy at a mass in St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City announces that his daughter was named Teresia Benedicta McCarthy.
|
"The focus of my entire life has been that the Church has to take Jesus' nonviolence more seriously." -Fr. McCarthy |
1985
Stein's autobiography is published in Germany.
1986
The English translation of Stein's autobiography is published as Life in a Jewish Family (IU.C.S. Publications: Washington, D.C.)
1987, March
Two year old Teresia Benedicta McCarthy get a hold of a bottle of Tylenol and swallows sixteen times the fatal dosage. Her liver swells to five times normal size - an infection sets in. Massachusetts General Hospital doctors diagnose irreversible liver damage. The family is told that the girl can not survive. Father McCarthy and dozens of relatives begin praying to Sister Teresia for her intercession. Three days after her impending death was announced by medical specialists - little Teresia McCarthy has a full and total recovery. Her destroyed liver and damaged kidneys appear perfectly healthy.
|
"It was unexplainable." "I think it was miraculous that she recovered," "I think you have to acknowledge that there are other forces in play there . . . beyond what we're capable of doing." - Teresia's doctor, Dr. Ronald Kleinman. |
1987, May
On May 1st, Pope John Paul II beatifies Sister Teresia Benedicta. The story of Teresia McCarthy's miraculous cure is printed in a diocesan publication of Portland, Maine -The Church World. The McCarthys did not seek to share their story - but requests for more information began to arrive at the family home.
|
"It was definitely, definitely was miracle. It was amazing. From the time she came home from the hospital, she was running around like a normal two year old." - Mrs. Mary McCarthy |
1988, October
The article from The Church World is condensed in Catholic Digest. The McCarthys receive phone calls from across the country requesting more information about Sister Teresia. Prayer cards are made up for Sister Teresia and the Archdiocese of Boston begins an investigation of the apparent miracle.
|
"Blessed Edith Stein teaches us how we should be relating to Jewish people. We should be standing beside them, dying with them. - Fr. McCarthy |
1989
Father Kieran Kavanaugh is named vice postulator. For the next several years he heads the tribunal investigating the apparent healing of Teresia McCarthy. Sworn testimony is taken from the doctors and nurses who were involved. All other individuals with first hand knowledge of the little girl and her family are interviewed. Father Kavanaugh's sealed report is sent to the Vatican for further investigation.
1997, April 8
The Vatican, based on Father Kavanaugh's reports and its own investigations, declares that the healing of Teresia McCarthy is a miracle.
1998, October 11
Sister Teresia Benedicta is proclaimed a saint by His Holiness Pope John Paul II
Return to Main Edith Stein page
