Novena of Masses in Paris (July 4-12, 2016) at the Basilica of Our Lady of Victories for the first feast of Louis and Zelie Martin as canonized saints

Novena of Masses for the feast of Sts. Louis and Zelie Martin

If you have the good fortune of being in Paris in July in the days leading up to the first feast of Louis and Zelie Martin as canonized saints, please participate in the novena to them at the Church of Our Lady of Victories.  This "Novena for Families" begins on Monday, July 4, with an opening Mass at 12:15 p.m.  Fr. Jean-Marie Simar, the rector of the Shrine of Louis and Zelie Martin at Alencon, will preside.  The solemn Mass to close the novena is on Tuesday, July 12, the feast day, at 12:15 p.m.  See details in French for the novena.

Basilica of Our Lady of Victories and the Martin family

Our Lady of Victories, which has a chapel dedicated to Louis and Zelie which contains their relics, was a special shrine to the Martin family.  When Louis visited Paris, he prayed here, calling it, in a letter to Zelie, "like a little heaven on earth."  It was during a novena of Masses offered in this church in May 1883 for little Therese, when she was sick, that she was cured, and it was here that, before leaving for Rome, she was freed of scruples while praying to the Blessed Virgin.  

For those of us who are not in Paris, let's unite ourselves in prayer to this novena and pray for all the members of the human family.

Vice-postulator for Louis and Zelie Martin: they intercede to find spouses, to bless couples with children, and to help spouses love each other more and more - November 28, 2015

Fr. Antonio Sangalli, the vice-postulator for Sts. Louis and Zelie Martin, interviewed recently in Rome while at the exhibit “Therese of Lisieux: Burning With Love,” says that Louis and Zelie lived simply, but were generous to the poor; that, in theface of many tragedies, they continued to trust in God; and that they specialize in helping persons find a boyfriend or a girlfriend; helping couples have children; and helping spouses love each other more every day. 

In French, an online retreat for Advent with Saints Louis and Zelie Martin offered by the Carmelite friars of Paris - November 28, 2015

Photo Credit: Carmelite Friars of Paris

If you read French, subscribe to a new online retreat to prepare for Christmas with Saints Louis and Zelie Martin.  It is the work of the Carmelite friars of Paris and includes reflections on the Sunday readings, meditations from the life of Louis and Zelie, suggested practices, and an Advent calendar for daily prayer.  See more information and register at the site of the Carmelite friars of Paris.   The friars have prepared online retreats for Lent and Advent for the past four years, and more than 10,000 persons have participated.  

A prayer for the victims and for France from the Shrine of Louis and Zelie Martin at Alencon

Attacks in Paris - Call to Prayer - Pray For Paris

translated from the Facebook page "Louis et Zelie Martin d'Alencon" with thanks

[Note that, although St. Therese of Lisieux and St. Joan of Arc are secondary co-patrons of France, the principal patron of France is the Blessed Virgin].

"Lord, we come to You in prayer and we entrust to You our brothers and sisters, victims of hatred, and their families.  We pray to You today through the intercession of the Queen of Peace, our Mother, for France.   Protect her!  Bless her!  Inspire our leaders! 

Lord, give us always especially to have trust in You, particularly in difficult situations, and never to doubt that you are the God of Love, our Father, who loves us and wants only our happiness!

Maranatha.  Come Lord Jesus! Amen !"

Saint Zelie: "The best thing to do is to put everything into the hands of God and to wait for events in peace and surrender to His will.  That's what I will try to do.". (CF 45)

Saints Louis and Zelie, pray for us, for our families and for France!

Mary, Queen of Peace, pray for us!"

Canonization Day for Sts. Louis and Zelie Martin, Sunday, October 18, 2015

 With the family of Pietro Schiliro, the young man whose healing of a respiratory disorder in 2002 was accepted as the miracle for the beatification of Louis; and Zelie Martin, after their canonization.  St. Peter's Square, Rome, October 18, 2015.  From left, Adele Schiliro, Pietro's mother; Pietro; Valter Schiliro, Pietro's father.