Contemplative Haven: In 1942 
In 1942
Yesterday, August 7th, she and her sister Rosa were ordered onto the train leaving Westerbork. She had been in Barracks 36.
The train stopped in the switching area of the railroad depot in Breslau, where she had been born. According to author Maria Ruiz Scaperlanda, "A minute or so later, a guard opened a sliding door on one of the cars. With dismay, Wieners [an eye witness] noticed it was packed with people who were jammed together, cowering on the floor. The stench coming from the car almost overpowered the men standing outside. Then a woman in nun's clothing stepped into the opening. Wieners looked at her with such commiseration that she spoke to him: It's awful. We have nothing by way of containers for sanitation needs. Looking into the distance and then across the town, she said, This is my beloved hometown. I will never see it again."
Today, August 8th, she is on that unbearable train, making it more bearable for others. Tomorrow, she will be dead. The train will have brought her here, to Auschwitz.
Bless all the hearts, the clouded ones, Lord, above all,
Bring healing to the sick.
To those in torture, peace.
Teach those who had to carry their beloved to the grave, to forget.
Leave none in agony of guilt on all the earth.
From a poem entitled "To God, the Father", written by St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein) in 1939
posted by Gabrielle at 1:13 AM
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