On July 12, the Catholic calendar honours the remarkable lives of Saints Louis and Celia Martin, the parents of Saint Therese of Lisieux. Here are seven fascinating facts about this extraordinary couple:
1. Pioneers in Canonization: Louis and Celia Martin made history as the first married couple to be canonized together by Pope Francis on 18 October 2015. Their feast day commemorates their wedding anniversary, which they celebrated on 12 July 1858.
2. Seeking Holiness: Before marrying, Louis and Celia individually pursued religious vocations. Louis spent time in an Augustinian monastery, while Celia attempted to join the Sisters of Charity. Though their paths diverged, God ultimately led them to each other and a life of married holiness.
3. A Mother’s Prayer: Celia prayed fervently for many children who would dedicate their lives to God. Her prayer was answered with nine children, four of whom passed away in infancy. The surviving five daughters went on to embrace religious vocations.
4. A Father’s Devotion: When Celia succumbed to cancer at 46, Louis selflessly cared for their young daughters, including four-year-old Therese. He continued to nurture their faith and well-being until his own passing in 1894.
5. A Family’s Call to Carmel: Between 1882 and 1887, Louis accompanied three of his daughters to the Discalced Carmelite Order. His sacrifices included separating from his beloved Therese, who entered the convent at just 15 years old.
6. A Saint’s Tribute: In her autobiography, Story of a Soul, Saint Therese praised her parents as “incomparable” and “more worthy of heaven than earth.” The Martin family’s devotion to faith and charity inspired their daughters to follow in their footsteps.
7. A Legacy of Holiness: While Saint Therese was canonized in 1925, her sister Leonia’s cause for beatification was opened in 2015, paving the way for potential sainthood. The Martin family’s remarkable legacy continues to inspire generations of Catholics worldwide.