Day 2 – Family Life – Sts. Louis and Zélie Martin Novena – Discerning Hearts Podcast
Summary: <br> <br> Sts. Louis and Zélie Martin Novena<br> Day 2 – Family Life<br> « Let the children come to Me; do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. » Mark 10:14<br> Meditation<br> The Martin household knew all the joys and tribulations of normal family life. With their nine children, four of whom died at a young age, Sts. Louis and Zélie had the difficult task of helping each daughter to develop her gifts of nature and grace. They undertook it in a spirit of creativity and Faith which made them always aim higher.<br> Everything was done in confidence and love, and yet with humor. « I promised the children we would celebrate the feast of St. Catherine Sunday evening, » St. Zélie wrote. « Marie wants donuts, others want cake, and others chestnuts, but as for me, I would like peace. » « Happy family evenings are, at the same time, a chance for more religious instruction. » « They frequently reminded us of eternity, » recounts Marie, their oldest daughter.<br> Their father was « always available to listen to his daughters, to advise them, and, with a heart filled with God, to receive whatever they said. »<br> When difficulties arose, such as educating Léonie, they included them in their prayer. « I’m deeply saddened to see Léonie as she is. Sometimes I have hope, but often I lose heart. » « Only God can change her, and I’m convinced that He will, » her mother wrote with hope.<br> Resolution<br> Today, I will pray for my family.<br> <br> Prayer<br> Our Father…<br> Hail Mary…<br> Glory be to<br> Saints Louis and Zélie,<br> you who in your life as a couple and as parents<br> have given witness of an exemplary Christian life,<br> in putting God in the first place<br> through the exercise of the duties of your state in life<br> and the practice of the virtues of the gospel,<br> we turn to you.<br> Help us to have unshakable confidence in God<br> and to surrender ourselves to His Will,<br> as you did in the joys<br> but also in the trials, the sorrows, and the sufferings<br> with which your life was marked.<br> Help us to love God with all our heart,<br> to persevere in our daily difficulties,<br> and to dwell in the joy and hope<br> that will give us a living faith in Christ.<br> Intercede for us<br> so that we may obtain the graces we need<br> today and all the days of our life. Amen.<br> Saints Louis and Zélie, pray for us<br> Imprimatur +Jacques Habert, Bishop of Séez, 26 May 2016<br> text ©Shrine of <a href="https://louisetzelie.com/en/pray/novena-to-saints-louis-and-zelie/">Sts. Louis and Zélie in Alençon</a><br> Please visit their website at <a href="https://louisetzelie.com/en/pray/novena-to-saints-louis-and-zelie/">https://louisetzelie.com/en/pray/novena-to-saints-louis-and-zelie/</a><br> <br> For more on the life of Sts. Louis and Zelie Martin visit:<br> <a href="https://www.discerninghearts.com/catholic-podcasts/a-sister-of-st-therese-servant-of-god-leonie-martin-bearer-of-hope-w-fr-timothy-gallagher/">A Sister of St. Thérèse: Servant of God, Léonie Martin; Bearer of Hope w/Fr. Timothy Gallagher</a><br> and <a href="https://www.discerninghearts.com/catholic-podcasts/the-letters-of-st-therese-of-lisieux-with-fr-timothy-gallagher-o-m-v/">The Letters of St. Therese of Lisieux with Fr. Timothy Gallagher O.M.V.</a><br> <br>
