Exposition "Saints Louis and Zelie Martin" at Lisieux through the end of November 2016
/Exposition “Saints Louis and Zélie Martin”
To get to know Saints Louis and Zélie Martin a little better, by Sister Monique Marie. [Note: Sister Monique-Marie was one of those most active in the successful completion of the Cause of Saints Louis and Zélie].
Sts zelie and Louis Martin
The exhibition paints a picture of a warm, living family, with a difficult daily life: the marriage of two quite young persons; learning a common life; the birth of children; and the loss of some. Prayer, the Mass, the Gospel, and the Church are the guidebooks of their life.
Another part of the exhibition traces the recognition of the two miracles: the healing of Pietro Schilirò, which led to their Beatification on October 19, 2008, and the healing of Carmen Lourdes Perez-Pons, which led to their canonization seven years later, on October 18, 2015. Finally, the exposition shows how today's families feel close to the family of Louis and Zélie Martin.
Zélie gave birth to nine children, four of whom died very young. The exposition shows in pictures the places where they lived and presents photographs of the children and of the whole family, such as Uncle Isidore, Zélie’s brother, who was a pharmacist in Lisieux.
The Martin spouse-saints share a taste for work well done. Their life of work is anchored in an ethic of a life deeply imprinted with a profound love for God, Whom they served in practicing boundless charity toward all those around them and to the needy.
Their home was as warm as the family was united. Mutual affection abounded.
“God was pleased all through my life to surround me with love. My first memories are imprinted with smiles and with the most tender caresses.”
Saint Thérèse of Lisieux – Ms A of Story of a Soul. 4v, 9
When Zélie died of cancer in 1877, their father moved the family to Lisieux, where the vocations of each of the daughters would blossom.
A statue of Louis and Zélie Martin which was offered to the Shrine at Lisieux by a Philippine artist is presented as part of the exhibition.
Exhibition
• From March 3 through the end of November 2016
- In March and in November: from 9:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
- From April through the end of October: from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.
• At the Saint John Paul II Center, across from the Basilica
Note: The above article was translated from "Exposition: Saints Louis and Zélie Martin" on the Web site of the Shrine at Lisieux. I thank the Shrine for permission to translate it and for the images.