Reflection: A Marriage of Love + Blessed Louis and Zelie Martin, Parents of Saint Therese

Today is the Feast Day of Blessed Louis and Zelie Martin, parents of Saint Therese of Lisieux, the Little Flower, They were married at midnight between July 12 and July 13, 1858.  Louis designed a marriage medallion for Zelie with the Biblical pictures of Sarah and Tobias on one side with the date on the other side and the initials of their names. symbolizing the coming together of two families. They were models of holiness.  Marriage Medallion of Louis and Zelie

Pope Francis announced that they will be canonized saints on October 18, 2015. Their marriage was one of love, as well as suffering. They are models of the beauty of the Sacrament of Marriage and, as saints, they will be powerful intercessors for the fidelity and faith of married love of a man and woman who were open to children and the gift of life. They had nine children, five of whom entered religious life. They lost four children at a young age. Their desire to have many children was for the Glory of God. Louis and Zelie did not want to be canonized. They simply wanted in their daily lives to become saints. They shared this desire with their children, friends and in their professions. They did not conceal their desire that the mission of their lives was to serve God. They lived modestly, reached out to help the poor and needy and led daily prayers in the home. Zelie died of breast cancer at the age of 45 and Louis suffered greatly and had a three year stay in a psychiatric hospital. Louis and Zelie were devoted to a life of family and prayer.

How is God calling you to serve Him? As we pray about the changes that have been made to marriage in our country, let us focus on what we can do:

Pray for life and marriage and for the protection of religious liberty.

Educate ourselves on what the Church teaches and why and about the beauty of the Sacrament of Marriage and family life.

Be prepared to speak the truth and act with love and remain firm in our beliefs.

Be merciful. As we enter into the Year of Mercy this December, we remember that God is love and Jesus came to bring Mercy to the world.

Never give up hope. We are a people of prayer and we know the power of prayer.

Let us ask the parents of Saint Therese of Lisieux to be our intercessors for marriage and families.

Saint Therese, the Little Flower, pray for us. Blessed Louis and Zelie, pray for us.