The philosopher and Carmelite Edith Stein (Saint Teresa Benedicta a Cruce was her name in religion), and the Franciscan priest Maximilian Kolbe were put both put to death at the death camp of Auschwitz-Birkenau, one year apart, in 1941 and 1942, both in the Marian month of August, on the 9th and 14th, respectively. They did much in life, and even more in their death. Here is a brief address on the two saints from Pope Benedict from this 13th day of August, in 2008, which may help put our own sufferings in perspective:
BENEDICT XVI
GENERAL AUDIENCE