The Extraordinary Parents of St. Therese of Lisieux: Sts. Louis and Zelie Martin

by Hélène Mongin, Marsha Daigle-Williamson

St. Therese famously said, "God gave me a Father and Mother more worthy of Heaven than of Earth." In October, 2015, Louis and Zelie Martin will be the first married couple to be canonized together. When they met, fell in love, and married in 1858, their lives seemed pretty ordinary. They worked hard-Louis was a watchmaker, Zelie established her own business making Pont d'Alencon lace-and went on to have nine children. Five survived, all of whom became nuns and one of whom is now known as St. Therese of Lisieux, perhaps the most popular saint in recent history. Through stories, chatty domestic insights from Zelie's correspondence, and running commentary on their faith and family, The Extraordinary Parents of St. Therese of Lisieux shows in vivid detail how Louis and Zelie created a joyful Catholic home for their family while coping with the demands of business and the daily stresses of ordinary life with their lively children.

Genres: Catholic, Religion, Biography, Faith, Christian, Spirituality, Nonfiction

160 pages, Paperback

First published September 16, 2015

Reviews

[Doherty Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good! Honestly didn’t know we had this must intimate information and direct quotes from Zelie & Louis Martin!!! Was a page turner! It felt like a window into the domestic life of the Martins!

[amanda ☩ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love love loved this!! I knew of Sts. Louis & Zelie before reading this because St. Therese is my patron saint, but this helped me to learn more about them as a couple & as parents. I’ve gained a new love for this saintly couple. I have always referred to their daughter as my heavenly sister, so now I’ll refer to them as my heavenly parents. 🤍

[Gracie Muraski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just wow 10/10 I wanna be like them when I grow up

[Mikayla Vaughan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. I’m edified immensely by this couple’s marriage, their comfort in Christ through their suffering and death, and their abundant faith in the will of God. Oh and how much their children loved their Saint parents!!!

*Catch me reading The Story of a Soul and The Story of a Family soon*

[Rebecca Tabish · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful book about two beautiful souls! The Martin's marriage was rooted in God, rooted in love, rooted in sacrifice and rooted in their children. God truly blessed their marriage in such a way that He called all of their daughters as His own Brides!

[Rosie Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely feel like I have a better understanding of Sts. Louis and Zelie after having read this book. It's quite short, but took me a while to get through because I only ever felt like I could read a few pages at a time, in order to let it sink in. Zelie's letters sometimes baffle me somewhat in her complete self-depreciation, but seeing how her attitude was shaped by life circumstances helped provide better context.

[Colleen Rein · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read! I was so inspired by their story. It is a quick read, and definitely worth your while.

[Evelyn Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read if you want to be encouraged and inspired in your motherhood!

“It is such a sweet task to take care of small children.” -St. Zelie Martin

[Kenneth Stein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Saints Louis and Zelie were the remarkable parents of St. Therese of Lisieux. They lived in a time of societal tumult and lived out their faith fervently. Like anyone raising a family, suffering and hardships are part of the journey. They took things in stride but remained firm in their beliefs.

The author does a great job showing day-to-day life and decision-making and how their faith guided them. They seem no different from anyone else and come across as simple people. There were many times of crisis, and they didn’t veer from their course.

This story is a must-read for those wanting a glimpse of what it’s like to live out a commitment to faith. One cannot help coming away with the feeling that the Martins are friends or close relatives.

[Alexis McGlachlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so. good. It had such beautiful insights to this couple’s reliance on God and surrender to His will throughout all their ups and downs throughout life. I especially loved the look into their family life and how they lived holiness through that. I think every engaged/married person should read this!

[Melissa Bair · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a delightful little book, a perfect introduction to the Martin family. No background information is necessary, although a general knowledge of St. Therese is helpful going in. I have made a new saint friend in St. Zelie after reading this book and I hope to read through the family correspondence soon.

A warning: the chapter on trials might be hard reading for moms who have lost a child. But the ultimate message is one of hope, faith, and love in Christ.

[Karina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wanted to know more about the new saints and parents of St Therese. I liked it.

[Laura McAninch · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a remarkable read! I thought it could be archaic reading- as it did take me a while to get through the introduction and the first couple of chapters - but this was not archaic nor superfluous nor complicated reading. I am profoundly touched at how relatable this couple was. Zelie was an entrepreneur and business owner, likewise Louis. When I envision the 1800's, I do not envision this couple as the stereotype. This couple was progressive and traditional all at the same time. Their hearts were on God their entire lives. They were not saints from day one, as they too struggled with their prayers being self-focused. They understood the joy that was in pain. They understood that praying for God's will was all that was needed. A big misconception of our Catholic faith is that we place individuals (saints and Mary) on too high of an altar that exceeds God and His Son, but that is NOT the case. Saints, like Louis and Zelie, are an example of APPLIED FAITH. They show us how much they loved God and exactly what they did in daily life to bridge themselves to God. In doing so, they show us how we can bridge ourselves to God also. This book did them justice, and I am very inspired in my faith and in my love for God.

[Bob Porter · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wonderful source material, but the author's commentary is rarely insightful and even sometimes guilty of the sort of patronizing attitude that moderns often hold toward figures of our more provincial past. Episodes are introduced but not elucidated, and numerous unsupported points made. An adequate light read on the lives of these saints.

[Corp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly an amazing book. It solidified my already-existing appreciation for Louis and gave me a newfound devotion to his wife. Both were truly extraordinary saints that should prove wonderful examples to anyone pursuing family life as their vocation; aside from Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better model for your own family. Overall, I found this book wonderful for learning more about these saints. I noted that some reviews found the translation to be awkward at times (considering it was originally written in French), but I personally almost never noticed this issue in my reading. Additionally, I thought it had a very strong balance of commentary and direct quotes (the latter coming primarily from Zelie, as Louis very rarely wrote). This book was great - cannot recommend it enough!

[Lara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so glad I read this book! It is a short book, but not always the easiest read. Still, it really amazed me to learn about this holy couple who in some ways were so relatable (and in other ways much more devout and disciplined in their faith then me). I especially appreciated learning about their daughter Leonie, who had a difficult temperament, but ultimately became a religious sister. As a mother of a sometimes difficult child, it was fantastic to know these Saints have walked in my shoes. It was also beautiful reading about their end-of-life struggles, which I have experienced with family members, and hope to face with as much grace as them someday.

[Ellen M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

St. Therese of Lisieux is probably one of the most popular of all the Catholic saints. Edith Piaf and John Kerouac were admirers of her. This book is about her parents, Louis and Zelie Martin who are also saints. I finished it and found myself admiring this couple very much. They both ran successful businesses and were exemplary parents and deeply devout Catholics. I would recommend it to anyone who is devoted to St. Therese to see the parents who raised her

[Jennifer Beck · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is how saints are made

Catholic marriages call for extraordinary sacrifices. Extraordinary sacrifices are made just by doing your duty in everyday life. This book reads like a beautiful romance novel between saints. The parents of St. Therese made it their goal to raise saints for heaven and they did by fulfilling their daily obligations to each other and to their children, and they did it with seamless love and devotion and never counted the cost.

[Susannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life changing book. I used to think I’m a Therese wannabe but just realized that I’m really a zelie wanna be. Even the day she passed onto her eternal reward coincides with my birthday!

Amazing that we have a modern family showing us how it can be done. I’m taking dual income working mom, work stress, anxiety, thwarted plans, scruples, dementia, cancer, etc in modern day France.

It’s a quick read. Highly recommend it.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well-documented look into the family life of modern French saints. Friendly tone and inspirational message. This slim volume is a good introduction to Louis & Zelie Martin, as saints in their own right. Some scenes which were familiar from St Theresa’s autobiography were rounded out by quotes from other family members. Recommended!

[Avel Deleon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finally got the chance to complete this biographical book. The ordinary becomes extraordinary with constancy. It's one thing to act heroically in a single timeframe, but a to have thousands of little acts accumulate over your lifetime is a perfect description of the lives of Louis and Zelie. There love for the children, their careers, and practically everyone within their framework

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing story of two saints and their children. Of their nine children, 4 died very young or eight after birth and the other five entered the religious life. One being canonized a Saint. What an amazing and holy family!!

So excited to find a Saint biography that is as interesting and as exciting as the saints life. That isn’t always the case.

[Karen Schexnaider · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extraordinary Read!

I absolutely loved this book! It felt like I was right there with them through it all. They give me such hope that ordinary people can become extraordinary through God’s grace! I have felt a connection to Sts. Louis and Zelie since I read the book “A Family of Saints”! So happy I also read this book: “The Extraordinary Parents. . .”

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy but Engaging Read

Beautifully crafted biography of the Martin family. The letters show their humanity but also a Godly orientation that should be example to every married couple.

[Sarah Thérèse · Rating 5 out of 5]

so simple, yet so beautiful.

[Pauline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent and amazing content! Such beautiful Saints. Louis and Zelie are truly inspirational and holy Saints!
Writing style and translation needed a bit more work.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this, but I feel most of these chapters are longer than what they needed to be.

[Katarzyna Balutowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it.

[Cabrini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful and inspiring book detailing the lives of Sts. Louis and Zelie Martin

[June McIntosh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Louis and Zélie Martin are great intercessors for us.