The Martins The extraordinary Family of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux
This book was produced with the help of the Louis and Zélie Shrine in Alençon, France (also known as the Alençon Sanctuary). Under the direction of Romain Lizé, President, Magnificat Editor, Magnificat: Isabelle Galmiche Editors, Ignatius: Vivian Dudro, Catherine Harmon Translator: Magnificat. Ignatius Press Proofreader: Kathleen Hollenbeck Layout Designer: Gauthier Delauné Production: Thierry Dubus, Audrey Bord Original French edition: Les Martin © 2023 by Mame, Paris © 2025 by Magnificat, New York • Ignatius Press, San Francisco All rights reserved ISBN Magnificat 978-1-63967-113-7 • ISBN Ignatius Press 978-1-62164-761-4
Sophie de Mullenheim Laura Hommay The Martins The extraordinary Family of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux
Foreword. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ................................................................ 7 Map of France. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................................ 8 LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT. . . . . . . . . . . . . .............. 9 A BIG FAMILY.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .................... 10 MORNING PRAYER. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ................ 11 QUIET! MAMA IS WORKING!. . . . . . . ........ 12 GOD IS SERVED FIRST.. . . . . . . . . . . . ............. 13 WELL HIDDEN.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ................... 14 VACATION! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 HOW ADORABLE!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ................. 16 WHAT IS PAPA DOING?.. . . . . . . . . . . ............. 17 A MARVEL!.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ....................... 18 CHILDHOOD ILLNESSES.. . . . . . . . . . ........... 19 GIVE; ALWAYS GIVE.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............... 20 A COUNTRY GIRL. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ................. 21 CHRISTMASTIME.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ................. 22 PREPARE YOUR HEART.. . . . . . . . . . . ............ 23 IN THE GARDEN.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .................. 24 TROUBLES FOR LÉONIE.. . . . . . . . . . ........... 25 GRANDFATHER MOVES IN. . . . . . . . . .......... 26 EVERYONE HAS ONE!. . . . . . . . . . . . . .............. 27 AT THE POLICE STATION. . . . . . . . . . ........... 28 INFINITE PATIENCE.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............... 29 FAMILY FUN.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..................... 30 NEVER ENOUGH. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .................. 31 FOR JESUS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ....................... 32 SHOPPING. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ....................... 33 BIRDS OF A FEATHER. . . . . . . . . . . . . .............. 34 SAD NEWS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ....................... 35 THE SMILING VIRGIN. . . . . . . . . . . . . .............. 36 DINNER IS READY!.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ................ 37 PLAYTIME.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ....................... 38 DON’T BE SAD, MAMA!.. . . . . . . . . . . ............ 39 OUR LADY OF LOURDES, PRAY FOR US!. 40 EVENING PRAYER. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ................. 42 HOMESCHOOLING. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ................ 43 HIGHER!.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........................ 44 MOVING TIME. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .................... 45 A LOVING PAPA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ................... 46 THE BIG DAY.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..................... 47 FIVE RELIGIOUS SISTERS. . . . . . . . . . ........... 48 • • CONTENTS
“God Is Served First!" “Be a Tombi-Carabi,” Saint Louis Martin used to say to his children. “But what is a Tombi-Carabi?” you’re probably wondering. You’ll find out in this book. In these pages you will read many stories about the Martin family—a family like many others, with days of joy and days of sorrow; a family with one great desire: to become holy. What a goal! To succeed, there is a secret, which the Martins knew well: love of God, and love of others. The family of Saints Louis and Zélie had a motto: “God is served first!” That’s not always easy for us today. And it wasn't always easy for them either. But through the lives of Louis, Zélie, and their five daughters, we see that it is possible. They put God at the center of their daily lives in the simplest ways. And what happiness that brought! Enjoy getting to know this extraordinary family, and maybe one day, you’ll learn even more about them by coming to visit us at the Louis and Zélie Shrine in Alençon, France. Happy reading! Father Thierry Hénault-Morel Rector of Alençon Sanctuary • • FOREWORD 7
Map of France PARIS Alençon Le Mans Sées Lourdes Lisieux • • 8
This is the one I have prepared for you. • • With the monks at Great Saint Bernard Monastery Latin is a requirement to enter our community, Mr. Martin. At the Sisters of Charity hospital Louis became a watchmaker in Alençon. July 13, 1858 Zélie became a lacemaker. And then, one day in 1858… Miss Zélie, your health is too weak for you to nurse the sick. Lord, I pray for my future husband. LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT 9
Pauline, September 7, 1861 Joseph Jean-Baptiste, December 19, 1867 * Hélène, October 13, 1864* Céline, April 28, 1869 Thérèse, January 2, 1873 Léonie Joseph-Louis, Mélanie, August 16, 1870* June 3, 1863 September 20, 1866* • • On February 22, 1860, Marie was born. I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. This is the first time we’ve come to you for a baptism; it won’t be the last! And indeed… A BIG FAMILY *Sadly, four of the Martin children died very young. 10
My Lord, I give you my heart … so that no one may have it take it, please… my dear Jesus. • • God listened to the children’s prayers. but you alone, MORNING PRAYER 11
• • A new order in! Thirty-three feet of lace for Mrs. André! I am going to give up watchmaking to help you in your business. You have too much work. But your business is doing well… Quiet! Mama is working! It is handmade lace. Mrs. Martin, here are the lace pieces I’ve finished this week. It’s remarkable work! Now I will sew them together. Every Thursday 1870 But, in the evening… And then, at night… Mama, can you play with us? I can’t right now. I have a large order! QUIET! MAMA IS WORKING! 12
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