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Prize

The Edith Stein Prize was established in 2017 by the Edith Stein Society in Wrocław, which works to deepen, understand and popularize the rich spiritual heritage of Edith Stein – Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, daughter of the Jewish nation, philosopher and Carmelite, proclaimed by Pope John Paul II the Co-patroness of Europe.

Aware of how deeply her life relates to the tragic history of the Jewish, Polish and German nations, the Society, by awarding the Prize, wants to contribute to the realization of a vision of the united Europe, in which Christian values and human dignity would be respected.

The St. Edith Stein Prize is awarded by the Chapter of the Edith Stein Society and the Director of the Commemorance and Future Centre (2019).

2022

His Excellency Archbishop Marek Jędraszewski – for extensive contributions in showing the multi-dimensional character of St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross – Edith Stein, focusing on bringing the greatness of her life together with Christian philosophy, for multifaceted involvement in the dissemination of the worship and philosophical reflection of Edith Stein through publications, lectures, and homilies, and for dedicated apostolic service in events showcasing the richness of the spiritual heritage of St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, for the courageous priestly ministry and the efforts made to renew the faith and uphold the Christian values of Europe in the spirit of the legacy of its Holy Patron Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross and the sacrifice she made voluntarily for this intention.

Sr. Dr. Cécile Rastoin – for initiating international efforts to grant Edith Stein the title of Doctor of the Church, for many years of scientific research dedicated to the thoughts of St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, the translation of her writings into French and the study and editing of publications dedicated to her, for the globally unique translation of Edith Stein’s poetry and its bilingual French-German edition, for the translation into French of many works in the field of Judaic and Christian thought, for research on the spiritual and philosophical connections between Edith Stein and John Paul II.

Dr. Sophie Binggeli – for co-editing the collective edition of the works of Edith Stein – St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross in German language, for many years of academic and research work devoted to the life and thought of Edith Stein and publications dedicated to her, as well as the dissemination of the legacy of St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross through speeches at international conferences and seminars, for co-founding and working in the Groupe de Recherche Steinien, co-organizing the Edith Stein Days and promoting the life and spirituality of Edith Stein in media, for artistic productions popularizing the spirituality, the person and the works of Edith Stein – St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross.

Fr. Jan Gondro – for passionate promotion and propagation of the worship of St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross in her family parish, for inspiring and leading activities to commemorate places associated with the person of the Patroness of Europe and her legacy, for the creation of the Edith Stein Junior High School, passionate work as the Principal of this school and tireless educational work in the spirit of love and truth, for many years of research and academic work, crowned by many valuable popular-science publications on the history and the past of the Church of St. Michael the Archangel, for supporting the activities of the Edith Stein Society in Wroclaw and active participation in the Society’s mission.

Mrs. Maria Kromp-Zaleska – for her dedicated work to popularize the person and thought of Edith Stein – St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, through translations, lectures, and scientific publications, for inspiring educational activities promoting the figure of the Patroness of Europe and her message to the present generation, for involvement in the creation and facilitation of groups of specialists engaged in research and popularization of the heritage of St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, for running the Edith Stein House in Wroclaw with true evangelical love and with the highest professional and organizational competence, for taking care of its cultural, spiritual and missionary nature and maintaining it at a high level of functioning.

2021

Ms Jadwiga Skupnik-Kurowska – For her full of passion dissemination of the worship of Edith Stein by creation and over 150 theathre productions of the monodrama about her tragic life and publication of memoirs ‘ Edith Stein-my life’, for promotion of christian values in the pedagogical and artistic work as well as long-term, active participation in the life of Edith Stein Society in Wrocław.

Mr Sylwin Bechcicki – For co-creation of the Branch of Edith Stein Society in Lubliniec and over thirty years of acting as its president , his long-term engagement in dissemination of the worship of St.Theresa Benedicta of  the Cross-Edith Stein, the ability to cooperate with local community documented by spectacular  effects like : help in creation of multimedia museum of Edith Stein in the Courant’s house, naming the school in Lubliniec after Edith Stein as well as obtaining her patronage for the city of Lubliniec and finally for social, pedagogical and publishing activity.

Ms Alfreda Poznańska 1939-2001 – An artist-sculptress, professor of Academy of Fine Arts in Wrocław, a friend and honorary member of Edith Stein Society in Wroclaw, the author of the altar sculpture in the Chapel of St. Therea Benedicta of the Cross in the church of St. Michael the Archangel in Wrocław, the creator of the cartouche over the central front window in the House of Edith Stein.

Ms Susanne Batzdorff – For active participation in the dialogue between Jews and Christians in the world, long-term kind and friendly cooperation with Edith Stein Society both in Wroclaw and in the world, for publication of the book ‘Aunt Edith. Jewish heritage of the Christian saint’ ; handed in to John Paul II during the canonization ceremony, her sencere help in reconstruction of the Stein family history and house in Wroclaw.

Mr Alasdair MacIntyre – For his study of the life and thought of Saint Theresia Benedicta of the Cross – Edith Stein and the popularization of her spiritual and intellectual heritage widely around the world as well as the defense, development and dissemination of Christian moral and intellectual values of Aristotelian-Thomistic virtue ethics, and classical ideals in numerous worka in the field of ethics, morality, and philosophy.

2020

Prof. Hanna Barbara Gerl-Falkovitz – spokeswoman for promoting the person and thoughts of Edith Stein in Europe, for co-creation and many years of activity in the German Edith Stein Society, co-editing of the collective edition of Edith Stein – St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, many years of scientific activity devoted to her life and thoughts, for her full commitment to university work in the field of philosophy and religion, activity in numerous associations and organizations, publications about the value of forgiveness and material support for the TES Library in Wrocław.

Prof. Anna Grzegorczyk – for co-creating Edith Stein Research Center in Poznań, many years of scientific and research activity devoted to the life and writings of Edith Stein – St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross in Poland and abroad, as well as popularizing her spiritual heritage, compiling and editing numerous publications, in particular “Scientific Journals of Edith Stein Research Center”, for her full commitment to university work in the field of humanities, especially phenomenology.

Ms Renata Zajączkowska – for co-creating Edith Stein Associationand German Cultural and Social Association in Wrocław, many years of dedicated work in the TES Audit Committee, obtaining financial support for the publication of the guidebook “Edith Stein Spuren In Breslau”, as well as many years of work for the Polish-German dialogue and the memory of Edith Stein and her heritage in Wrocław.

2019

Mrs. Anita Czarniecka-Stefańska – for many years of active participation in the Edith Stein Society in Wrocław, for its co-creation and photographic documentation of events in the Society’s chronicle, for editing the book “Edith Stein in Polish Culture” (a gift from the Edith Stein Society to Pope John Paul II to commemorate the canonization of Theresa Benedicta from the Cross) as well as for the dedicated work commemorating places connected with The Edith Stein’s life in Wrocław and for promoting her spiritual heritage.

Fr. Manfred Deselaers, PhD –  for his empathetic priestly ministry in Oświęcim, his dedication to the religious significance of the memory of Auschwitz and the deep healing of this “open wound in the heart of Europe”, his work at the Center for Dialogue and Prayer promoting peace, interreligious and international dialogue, spreading the worship of the Holocaust Martyrs: St. Edith Stein and St. Maximilian Kolbe and for the longstanding  co-operation and support for the Edith Stein Society in Wrocław.

Fr. prof. Jerzy Machnacz – for researching and popularizing the spiritual and intellectual heritage of St. Teresa Benedicta from the Cross through numerous scientific and popular science publications, passionate homilies and lectures, for organizing and participating in international conferences on Edith Stein’s philosophy and her message for the modern world, for spiritual and financial support for the Edith Stein House in Wrocław and for spreading the worship of St. Teresa Benedicta from the Cross in Poland and abroad. 

Fr. prof. Jerzy Machnacz, Mrs. Anita Czarniecka-Stefańska, Fr. Manfred Deselaers, Phd

2018

Pastor Hermann Peters – for his commitment to Polish-German reconciliation, spiritual and financial support for promoting the heritage of Edith Stein – St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross in Poland and Germany, especially in his Parish Church of St. Boniface and in the city of Dortmund, and long-term cooperation with the Edith Stein Society in Wrocław.

Mrs. Danuta Skraba – for co-creation of the Edith Stein Society, determination in negotiations with the highest authorities of Poland and Germany to acquire the Stein’s family home and funds for the complete renovation of the building, establishing and maintaining relations with the Batzdorff family in the USA, as well as dedicated, long-term work to preserve the memory of Edith Stein in Wrocław and popularization of her spiritual heritage.

Mr. Marian Łukaszewicz – for co-creating the Edith Stein Society, founding the TES Quarterly, valuable publications on the life of the Stein family, the history of the house and Wrocław places associated with Edith Stein, full of sacrifices as the multiple Chairperson of the Edith Stein Society and for popularization of her spiritual heritage.

Fr. Jerzy Witek – for co-creating the Edith Stein Society, determination in negotiations with the highest authorities of Poland and Germany to acquire the Stein’s family home and funds for the capital renovation of the building, construction of the St. Edith Stein Chapel in the Church of St. Michael the Archangel in Wrocław, full of devotion longtime work to preserve the memory of Edith Stein in Wrocław, popularization of her spiritual heritage and acting as a Chairman of the Edith Stein Society since 2010.

2017

Cardinal Joachim Meisner – (posthumously) for his commitment to Polish-German reconciliation, for his spiritual and financial support in promoting the heritage of St. Edith Stein in Poland and for funding the Chapel of St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross in the Church of St. Michael the Archangel in Wrocław.

Fr. prof. Robert Skrzypczak – for his constant proclamation of the message about human dignity, the right to life and the destiny for happiness, his calling to save a family authority and reconciliation of nations through taking Europe back to its Christian roots; for conducting rich in Christian values dialogue in the media, and for popularization of the spiritual and intellectual heritage of St John Paul II and St Edith Stein.

Fr. prof. Bogumił Gacka – for founding the world’s first Chair of Personalism at Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw, research on the reality of creation, supernatural dignity of man and nation, splendour of nature and for building a reality based on Christian values and popularization of the spiritual and intellectual heritage of St. John Paul II and St. Edith Stein.

Mrs. Stella Zylbersztajn- Tzur – the Holocaust survivor of the Jewish nation – for her tireless work on the realization of a vision of a just world, where human dignity, respect for religious values and the nations’ right to freedom will be respected.