Louis and Zélie: The Holy Parents of Saint Thérèse

by GinaMarie Tennant

Louis and Zélie Martin, the parents of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, were the first married couple ever canonized together by the Catholic Church. This inspiring story begins in their childhoods and follows them through their joys as well as their sorrows.

Louis, the son of a French army officer, had desired to be a priest. Instead he became a watchmaker, happy to remain single in service of God and neighbor. Zélie had thought about becoming a religious sister, but she became an expert lace maker and started her own company, doubtful she would ever marry. Then one day they passed each other on a bridge . . .

The Martins married and welcomed nine children, five of whom lived to adulthood and became religious sisters. Their household was full of love, which extended, sometimes heroically, to many others outside their family, including the needy and the enemy soldiers quartered in their home during the Franco-Prussian War. 

The secret to their unfailing love was their boundless faith in God. All the challenges the Martins faced, great and small, were met with a profound trust in Divine Providence.

Genres: Childrens

274 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 26, 2021

Reviews

[Steven R. McEvoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this marks the twelfth work I have read in the Vision Books for Young Readers Series, 9 in the currently in print books from Ignatius Press and three of the older out of print volumes. This one has been out for a few years, and I have had the eBook for a while, but had not got around to reading it yet. It is part of Ignatius’s expansion upon the original titles called New Vision Books. In fact it was the second of what is now six books expanding the original series. A few years back I did some research on the Vision Books for Young Readers and from the books I have read can state that they are great reads for teens, young adults and adults. This was another excellent read and I understand that Ignatius has several other titles in the work to expand the series. But let us return to this specific volume. The description of the book is:

“This newest book in the very popular Vision Books series of saint's lives for young people presents the inspiring story of the first married couple ever canonized together in the Church, Louis and Zelie Martin, who lived in the late 1800s and early 1900s. It tells about their beautiful family of nine children, that includes the most popular saint of modern times, St. Therese of Lisieux.

Louis, a successful watchmaker, was a happy bachelor and intended to remain one. Zélie, who had wanted to become a religious sister, became an expert lace maker and started her own company. Then one day they met, and everything changed for them. They fell in love, married, and raised a large and very happy family.

While their main focus and devotion was on their marriage, children, and their Catholic faith, Louis and Zelie were able to continue their professions as a watchmaker and lace maker. The Martin household was full of love and joy, even amidst many sorrows and challenges, and they always showed great charity toward their neighbor and anyone in need.

The secret to their happiness was an unfailing love made possible by their boundless faith in God. All the challenges the Martins faced, great and small, were met with a profound trust in Divine Providence.”

And the author bio states:

“GinaMarie Tennant is a church organist, music teacher, and an artist. Louis and Zélie: the Holy Parents of Saint Thérèse was her first book, and An American Little Flower: Blessed Miriam Teresa Demjanovich is her second. She lives in Bethesda, Maryland.”

GinaMarie is not only the author but illustrator of the two volumes I have read by her in the series to date. The chapters in the book are:

1. A Soldier’s Son
2. Zélie and her Mother
3. Louis’ Journeys
4. Trials and Lace
5. The Bridge of Saint Leonard
6. Zélie’s Dolls
7. Thorns in the Rose Garden
8. War!
9. Invaders
10. The Littlest Flower
11. Prickly Problems
12. Lourdes
13. Lisieux
14. Louis’ Offerings
Epilogue
Author’s Note

I have over the years read a number of volumes about Saint Thérèse of Lisieux. Both books drawn from her writings and others writings about her. So I was aware of some of the broad strokes of this story of her parents, but no where near the details. It was fascinating to read this story, of this couple, their life, love, struggles and most importantly their deep faith. Of all that they went through and yet continued to believe, pray and hope.

This is a story about real parents who faced more than most of us will face. The loss of multiple children, illness, and war. And much, much more. And yet, it is a story that will encourage, challenge and inspire.

The story is very well written. It was wonderful to read the biography of the couple and how their love and devotion help each of them to grow in holiness. It is deeply moving. It will inspire and challenge readers of all ages. I plan on reading all the books in this series that are in print and as many of the out of print that I can track down. This is a great book in a wonderful series. My only complaint is that only about a third of the books are available in digital formats, with my dual form of dyslexia and my son’s eye tracking issues eBooks are our preferred format. I have had the eBook of this one for a few years, it took me a while to get around to reading it. These books are written for a Middle Grade Readers, Teens and Young Adults in mind, but this one and the others I have read are great for readers of all ages.

I can highly recommend this book and series for any home, church, or school library. An excellent volume in an amazing series!

This book is part of a series of reviews: 2023 Catholic Reading Plan!

[Veronica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book, aimed toward a young audience.

Frames characters as more human than some saint books which I like. Slightly stilted style of transition between chapters which I actually liked for younger kids as I think it would work very well as a bedtime read aloud with the chapters presenting almost more as a series of individual tableaux than as a single continuous narrative.

[Ava Koch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zélie is who I chose as my confirmation saint, and I am so happy I did! I loved reading more about her and her family.

[Daisy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is better than what I expected. I enjoyed learning about Therese’s parents. I was familiar with her story, but not the parents. The author did a great job describing the characters and events in detail. This book is based on a true story. Overall, it was entertaining, reflective, and inspiring. I recommend all Catholics to read this book.

[Katie Leahy · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a good book about the Holy Parents of St. Therese of Lisieux.