Zelie and Louis Martin were first made known to the Catholic world as the parents of St Therese of Lisieux. However, they were canonized as saints in the own rite in 2015 by Pope Francis. Another daughter, Leonie, is also being proposed for canonization as well. Louis Martin was born into a military family in Bordeaux region of France. As a young man, he tried to join a Catholic religious community, but was not admitted because he could not speak Latin and thus could not study theology. He trained to become a watchmaker and moved to the Normandy region of France where he met Zélie Guérin, a lace maker. Zélie also had tried to enter the convent as a nun, but was turned down. They married in 1858. They raised a family in a very loving Catholic home. Zélie died of breast cancer in 1877. After his wife’s death, he moved his family to the town of Lisieux to be closer to extended family members so that they could help him raise his five daughters. Zélie and Louis Martin nurtured their own holiness and faith and the faith and holiness of their daughters, all of whom became nuns.
In our first reading today from the prophet Isaiah, the Lord tells his people that he will heal their defection and love them freely. The Lord will be like the dew for Israel, help Israel to bloom like a lily. What a comforting image from this wise prophet. However, we hear some not so comforting images from the Gospel of Matthew, of how Christ’s followers will be sent out like sheep amongst the wolves. The Evangelist explains that the Lord will help his followers endure their persecution, putting words in their mouths that they will use in their defense, helping them get through this difficulty.
As we celebrate Zelie and Louis Martin today on their feast day, let us find the inspiration in them to live out our faith in the reality of our lives.
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