A dialogue composed by Edith Stein was presented as part of student club Identity Project’s (idND) 2012 Edith Stein conference on February 11.  The dialogue presented was “Conversation at Night,” taken from Stein’s THE HIDDEN LIFE, a collection of poetry, plays, and essays composed during the final years of her life.

Students from Notre Dame Theology Professor Sr. Ann Astell’s class “Philosophical Women Theologians: Edith Stein and Simone Weil” presented the dialogue.  All performers greatly enjoyed the experience.  In a brief discussion following the dialogue, they explained how “Conversation at Night” was much more poetry than play, noting the moving images Stein created for her audience.  The simplicity of the stage, costumes, and acting let the beauty of Stein’s words and images take center stage.

“Conversation at Night” related the appearance of Queen Esther to a Carmelite abbess in the middle of the night.  At one particularly compelling moment of the dialogue, Queen Esther described her need to help the Lord’s people when they were persecuted.   In response, the abbess asked Queen Esther if she had returned because of a renewal of this persecution, the Holocaust.  Queen Esther replied, “You’re the one who says so.”  This ambiguous answer leaves the audience to evaluate the situation, offering space for personal recognition of the values Stein sought to present.

Stein’s dialogue ends with the nun understanding the purpose of Queen Esther’s appearance: to teach her that she must continue to pray for God’s people.  The nun, who in the beginning of the dialogue was exhausted and ready for sleep, remains awake to contemplate with a renewed flame of faith.

The dialogue reflects the injustices inflicted upon Stein, who died in the Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz, and urges prayer for change.  Stein’s vibrant imagery and poetic style clearly illustrate her great faith and call others to imitation.  For those interested in “Conversation at Night” and further exploration of Stein’s work THE HIDDEN LIFE is an excellent resource.

Ellen Roof is a freshman majoring in business and psychology and is upset the wintry weather has finally arrived.  She can be reached at eroof@nd.edu.