Saints Under the Dome: Sts. Louis and Zelie Martin
Who are the parents of whom St. John Paul II called “the greatest Saint of modern times?”
Sts. Louis and Zelie Martin, parents of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, are renowned for exemplifying the simplicity of holiness in marriage and family life. With their feast day coming up on July 12th, it’s important to learn why St. Ann Parish is planning to add this beautiful couple under the dome of painted Saints for the Transcend campaign.
The Martin family lived in the late 19th century, a time of political and industrial instability, somewhat similar to the times in which we ourselves are living. It may have been socially and culturally better to raise a family that aligned with the signs of the times, but Louis and Zelie were so convicted about their Catholic faith that they raised five children in the faith, all of whom eventually went on to religious life.
Louis, a watchmaker, and Zelie, an entrepreneur in an embroidery workshop, worked tirelessly to provide for their children but also to give to those in need. What is remarkable is the courage of this family who, after nineteen years of marriage, amidst the economic crisis in France, sought to ensure the well-being and future of their children. They found the strength to leave Alençon and move to Lisieux, similar to many people today who become "emigrants" in search of a better life and more tangible hope.
From the outside looking in, they seemed like the perfect family. They were always praying, going to daily Mass, frequent confession, and continuously pouring God’s love into their family. However, they faced many challenges. Louis and Zelie lost four children in infancy, faced economic struggles, and had to persevere faithfully while Zelie was diagnosed with cancer. Zelie’s death caused severe sadness in the family. As a result, Louis found himself alone to raise his family: his eldest daughter was 17 years old and the youngest, Thérèse, just four and a half.
Louis continued to raise his family in the faith and then accompanied three of his daughters to join the convent. The biggest sacrifice was to separate from Thérèse, who entered Carmel at the age of 15. Moreover, he suffered from many health issues that caused him to gradually lose his mental faculties. Through it all, he remained faithful in his pursuit of holiness.
Amidst so many trials and difficulties, they teach us that
“the greatest liberty is not in the blind exertion of our own egotistical will and desires but in submitting (as paradoxical as it seems) to the will of the Father who loves us and cares for us deeply.”
Transcend the Ordinary Blogs
keep the conversation going about the beauty of the Catholic faith and the Transcend Campaign. Want to see how you can sponsor a facet of the Church? Email Rebecca Almanza, our development director, at ralmanza@stannparish.org. Please continue to pray for the successful completion of these projects and for our church.