The extraordinary parents of Saint Therese of Lisieux
October 31, 2015
The following is the text of the homily delivered by Bishop Rhoades on October 31st at Saint Therese, Little Flower, Church, South Bend:
In today’s reading from the book of Revelation, Saint John describes a vision he had of a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation, race, people, and tongue. They were standing before the throne of God and before the Lamb, singing his praise. This vision of the saints in heaven reminds of our destiny. On this beautiful Solemnity of All Saints, the Church invites us to reflect on the joy of heaven and to taste the joy of the saints, to be inspired by their example as men, women, and children of the Beatitudes, and to seek their intercession to help us to be faithful disciples of the Lord Jesus, to live the Beatitudes of Jesus, whatever our vocation or state in life.
Today, here at this parish named in honor of the beautiful saint and doctor of the Church, Saint Therese, the Little Flower, we gather to celebrate the recent canonization of Therese’s parents, Louis and Zelie Martin. I must admit that I didn’t know a whole lot about their life until I read a book about them this past week. I was enthralled by this book as I learned about this amazing couple, amazing in the sense of holiness, heroic virtue. It is a tremendous blessing for the Church, especially for married people, that Pope Francis canonized at the same time a husband and wife together. This is the first time this has happened in the history of the Church. I highly recommend this biography of Saints Louis and Zelie Martin, written by Helene Mongin and published by Our Sunday Visitor. It is entitled The Extraordinary Parents of Saint Therese of Lisieux.
Saint Therese once wrote: the good God gave me a father and a mother more worthy of heaven than of earth. Many others have testified to the truth of this statement. Louis and Zelie Martin lived heroic lives and became holy, not despite marriage, but through, in, and by marriage. Their love for each other and for their children was deep. They had a profound affection for each other and their children. Their love and affection expanded and spread to extended family, to neighbors, and to the sick and the poor, whom they were always inviting into their home. Their beautiful Christian life, their love, had its source, of course, in God. They had a humble and intense faith. They knew and believed with all their hearts what we read today from Saint John’s first letter: See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God. They believed in God’s love! This is what gave them the strength to endure many sufferings and to persevere in faith. Let me name a few: they suffered the loss of four of their children at very young ages. Their sorrow was immense, but the devil could not rob them of their faith and trust in God during those incredibly painful times. They persevered in the joy of the Gospel. Their family life, despite tragedy, flourished.
The Martin family was a family of prayer. God was the center of the home. Daily Mass and daily prayers and devotions were part of the everyday rhythm of the Martin’s family life. They observed Sunday as “the Lord’s Day,” a day of worship, rest, and joy together. Louis and Zelie passed on to their five remaining daughters, including the youngest, Therese, a peaceful, humble, and intense faith.
The Martins were working parents. Louis ran a watchmaking and jewelry shop. Zelie ran a lace-making business. They were both very successful. Eventually, Louis closed his shop and devoted himself to his wife’s business. They were not only honest and just, treating their workers well and clients well, they went beyond the obligations of justice. They helped them when they were sick or in need. They made a sma