The good God gave me a father and a mother more worthy of heaven than of earth.

St. Thérèse of Lisieux
Letter 261

On July 12, we celebrate the feast day of Saints Louis and Zélie Martin, the parents of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux. Their lives exemplify the possibility of receiving the grace to lead a life of holiness as Christian spouses and parents. Through their intercession and example, they show us how to love and serve God faithfully, living worthily our own vocation.

Louis Martin was born on 22 August 1823 in Bordeaux. After settling in Alençon, he became a skilled watchmaker. In 1858, he married Azélie Guérin, a talented lace-maker born on 23 December 1831. The couple had nine children, five of whom survived to adulthood and embraced religious life. The surviving children were: Marie, Pauline, Léonie, Céline, and Thérèse.

The Martins’ home was a nurturing environment where faith was paramount. Louis and Zélie were dedicated to their children’s education and spiritual formation. Despite the loss of four children and Zélie’s battle with cancer, their faith never wavered.

Zélie was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1865 but continued to manage her business and care for her family. She passed away on 28 August 1877, leaving a lasting legacy of strength and devotion.

After Zélie’s death, Louis moved to Lisieux to support his daughters. He faced significant health challenges, including cerebral arteriosclerosis. Despite his struggles, Louis remained a pillar of faith for his family until his death on 29 July 1894.

The lives of Saints Louis and Zélie Martin continue to inspire us. Their unwavering faith, deep love, and dedication to their family are a testament to their sanctity. They remind us that holiness can be found in the everyday moments of family life.

As we honor Saints Louis and Zélie Martin, let us reflect on their example and seek to emulate their faith and love in our own lives. May their lives teach us to love and serve God faithfully, and to live worthily our own vocation. Join us in celebrating their feast day and drawing inspiration from their remarkable journey.

We always refer to the website of the Archives of the Carmel of Lisieux for the vast majority of our quotes concerning Saint Thérèse, Saint Zélie, and Saint Louis Martin. If you would like to purchase English translations for the collected works of St. Thérèse, please visit the website of our Discalced Carmelite friars at ICS Publications. 

Featured image: This detail of the 1925 window in the baptistry of the Basilica of Notre-Dame of the Assumption in Alençon was designed and executed by the native Alençon stained glass artist Louis Barillet; it represents the baptism of the Servant of God.  Image credit: GFreihalter / Wikimedia Commons (Some rights reserved)

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