Winter 2005   Within a very short period of time ICS Publications will have available its latest addition to the Collected Works of Edith Stein series. It will be vol. 10 and it’s called An Investigation Concerning the State. The ICS Preface contains these words of series editor, Fr. Steven Payne, as he explains the nature of this study of Saint Edith Stein: “This tenth volume in the ICS Publications edition of The Collected Works of Edith Stein reveals a side of the author less familiar to most readers, particularly those in the English-speaking world. Though relatively brief, An Investigation Concerning the State is Stein’s most sustained contribution to political philosophy, and therefore an important text for appreciating her multifaceted life and interests. Here she attempts to clarify such major theoretical issues as the nature of the nation-state itself as human and political entity, its proper autonomy and power, the significance of human rights, guilt, and punishment, and the role of law, ethics, and religion in relation to the state.” On an entirely different front we have learned from the new series of the Jahrbuch Edith Stein (Edith Stein Yearbook) that permission was recently granted for a statue of St. Edith Stein to be sculpted and placed on an outside niche of St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. Cardinal Francesco Marchisano, Prefect of the buildings, monuments, and other properties within Vatican city limits, communicated the Vatican’s approval to have a 8.5 meter (or 28 foot ca.) statue installed for public viewing at the church where just 7 years ago she was declared a saint. The artist, Paul Nagel, has still to accomplish his task, so we place here the photo of the sainted philosopher that will adorn our new volume, leaving for future pilgrimages to the Eternal City the chance to admire the Carrara marble statue in her honor. During this year’s autumn meeting of the Institute of Carmelite Studies the member scholars and a few acquaintances visited the National (Mellon) Gallery of Art for a specialized guided tour of Carmelite-related works of art. By contacting first, then proposing some themes to a gallery Docent, Mrs. Mary C. O’Connell, we were able to enjoy seeing pieces about Saint John of the Cross, Saint Teresa of Avila, (St.) Elijah the Prophet, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel and St. Albert of Sicily. Mrs. O’Connell took the opportunity also to show paintings by Fra Filippo Lippi who spent time in a Carmelite novitiate but left before making vows. The group took some time out to pose for a photo that includes the famous, recent acquisition of a polychrome statue of St. John of the Cross. It stands on the first landing up from the 7th Street, westernmost, entrance to the gallery. (See previous “News” story about it in Winter 2003.) We left a copy of our richly illustrated book about St. John, God Speaks in the Night, to show our appreciation.   At the same convocation of the Institute, the ICS members recalled that their institute began in 1966. They put the finishing touches on plans for a lecture series that they will present during 2006 to mark this occasion. Their “Living Charism” series will include topics such as the following: “Saving Private Herman—Br. Lawrence of the Resurrection”; “Edith Stein and Renewal”; “True Peace: St. Teresa of Avila's Meditations on the Song of Songs”; “Liturgical Spirituality”; “Elizabeth of the Trinity and Baptismal Spirituality”; “Elizabeth of the Trinity and Silence”; “Carmel and Mary”; and “Père Jacques’ Retreat” (a consideration of the conferences contained in our recently issued volume Listen to the Silence).