September 30, 2008 - On the anniversary of St. Therese's "entering into life," please see the marriage medallion Louis Martin designed and gave to Zelie during their marriage ceremony.  This medallion will be on exhibit in Alencon on October 18, the vigil of the  beatification.  I have the honor of displaying this photograph thanks to Father Antonio Sangalli, O.C.D.  Medallions commemorating the beatification of Louis and Zelie Martin, adapted from the medallion Louis designed, are available to the faithful.

Thanks to the Archives of the Carmel of Lisieux and to Father Antonio of the Mother of God, O.C.D., I have the joy of sharing with you the recently discovered photograph of Venerable Zelie Martin, the mother of St. Therese, undated, but believed to date from about 1875, so that it reflects Zelie's face as Therese saw it.  It was recovered thanks to Mme. F. Besnier, a member of the photographer's family.  I am grateful to all who made this possible.

Why has the Church called these spouses blessed?  What difference do their lives make for the women and men of today?  How can they accompany us on our own pilgrimage?  In honor of the beatification of the father and mother of St. Therese of the Child Jesus of the Holy Face, I wrote a short article to explore these questions:  "Blessed Zelie and Louis Martin, Companions on Our Journey."

This film of the candlelight processions of the reliquary of St. Therese that take place for the feast every year at Lisieux was generously contributed as a feast-day gift by its producer, Susan Ehlert.  Please view this four-minute film at http://www.thereseoflisieux.org/celebrating-st-thereses-feast/

Several generous translators have contributed to thereseoflisieux.org English translations of the conference "The Martin Couple: A Path to Sanctity that Imparts Faith" and the homily "The human charm of Christian sanctity" delivered by Cardinal Saraiva Martins at the celebrations at Alencon and Lisieux, July 12-13, 2008, of the 150th anniversary of the marriage of the Venerable Zelie and Louis Martin, the mother and father of St. Therese of Lisieux, when the Cardinal announced that they are to be beatified on Mission Sunday, October 19, 2008. 

Read the article "Louis and Zelie Martin: A Marriage of Love," by Guy Gaucher, O.C.D., auxiliary bishop emeritus of Bayeux and Lisieux and distinguished scholar of St. Therese.  This was published in French by Feu et Lumiere, July/August 2004 issue.  I thank the authors, publishers, and translators.