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.

Fr. James Geoghegan, O.C.D. kindly permitted me to post his 1974 conference about Louis and Zelie Martin, "The Parents of St. Therese of Lisieux."  This conference, one of the few modern articles on this topic in English, has not dated since 1974.

To read the story of the miraculous cure of the Italian child Pietro Schiliro, told by his parents, please visit http://www.thereseoflisieux.org/the-miracle/?SSScrollPosition=0  On July 3, 2008, Pope Benedict signed the decree certifying this miracle for the beatification of the Venerable Zelie and Louis Martin; the ceremony is on Mission Sunday, October 19, at Lisieux.

Saturday,  July 11, 2008, 7:00 p.m. EDT:  Joyful news:  Venerable Zelie and Louis Martin are to be beatified on Mission Sunday, October 19, 2008, at Lisieux.  Cardinal Saraiva Martins announced it this afternoon when he presided at a Solemn Pontifical Mass at Notre-Dame Church at Alencon in honor of the 150th anniversary of their wedding.  Fr. Linus Ryan, O. Carm., director of the National Office for St. Therese in Ireland, notified me by telephone just now.  For films and stories about the lives and significance of the new blesseds and for news stories about their cause, please see http://thereseoflisieux.org.  The news has not appeared in the media yet, but I will post stories there as they appear. 

Let's rejoice together.  On July 3, 2008 Pope Benedict XVI received Cardinal Josef Saraiva Martins, prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, and authorized the promulgation of the decree on the miracle of the cure of the Italian child Pietro Schillero due to the intercession of the Venerable Louis and Zelie Martin.  This authorization means that St. Therese's mother and father will be declared blessed.  A July 3 communique from the diocese of Seez, in which Zelie was born, stated that Cardinal Saraiva Martins will announce the date and place of the beatification ceremony when he presides at the ceremonies at Alencon and Lisieux July 12 and 13 commemorating the 150th anniversary of Louis and Zelie's marriage, which took place on July 13, 1858.

For more about St. Therese's parents and their cause, please see my Web site at http://www.thereseoflisieux.org/their-lives/