June 17: Vatican declares that Pope Francis will announce the canonization of Blessed Louis and Zelie Martin at the consistory on Saturday, June 27, 2015

Blessed Zelie and Louis Martin

The Papal Office of Liturgical Celebrations published today that Pope Francis will announce the canonization of Blessed Louis and Zelie Martin at the consistory of cardinals on Saturday, June 27, 2015 (per the Vatican Information Service).  Zenit added that the date of the canonization will also be announced then.

The Shrine at Alencon posted in French a communique from the Office of Liturgical Celebrations noting that at 10;00 a.m. on June 27, in the Consistory Hall of the Apostolic Palace of the Vatican, the Pope will preside  at Terce, the hour of the Divine Office that is usually celebrated at midmorning. The consistory, at which the canonizations of Italian diocesan priest Blessed Vincenzo Grossi and Spanish nun Blessed Mary of the Immaculate Conception wil also be announced, will follow.  

Let's unite in prayers of thanksgiving for this happy day!

Blessed Louis Martin visited Great Britain in 1882

People praying in the presence of the reliquary of Blessed Louis and Zelie Martin n the Cathedral at Plymouth, May 15, 2015. Photo courtesy of the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales.

Rejoicing with the people of Great Britain that the relics of Blessed Louis and Zelie Martin are now visiting the diocese of Plymouth, I remembered that England knew the joy of the presence of Blessed Louis Martin during his lifetime.  About October 2, 1886, he visited Dover with his oldest daughter, Marie, who was preparing to enter the Lisieux Carmel on October  15.  Father Pichon, her spiritual director, returning from a mission to Canada, wrote that he would pass through Dover and Calais on October 2,  Marie asked Louis to take her to meet him so that she could welcome him home and say good-by before she entered.  Louis said “I can’t refuse you anything, my big girl.”  The Martins did not find the ship at Calais, so they crossed to Dover, hoping to find Fr. Pichon there. 

On that October 2, a Saturday, Therese wrote to Marie from Les Buissonnets:

My dear little Marie,

We just received your telegram. I’m very happy, for I believe this means that you’ve seen Father at Dover.  He sent you a letter on Wednesday [this letter was from Dublin, where the ship must have stopped first] which was telling you to go there before him today.  You can’t imagine how worried we were.  Celine has sent some letters to Dover and Calais “hold till called for.”

http://www.archives-carmel-lisieux.fr/english/carmel/index.php/octobre-1886/11221-lt-21-a-marie

 Sadly, because of a series of misunderstandings and crossed letters, Louis and Marie did not find Father Pichon at Dover either.  Marie was acutely disappointed.  Louis, with his customary serenity, said to her “Do not complain, Marie; God saw that you needed this trial.  For my part, I am happy to have been His instrument in making this trip with you.”  Happily, on their return to France, they found Fr. Pichon at Paris. 

May Louis and Zelie be God’s instrument in the pilgrimage their relics are now making in Plymouth!  

Relics of Blessed Louis and Zelie Martin visit the diocese of Plymouth in Great Britain, May 15, 2015

On Friday, May 15, the relics of Blessed Louis and Zelie Martin were welcomed in the Cathedral Church of Plymouth in the United Kingdom. They will remain there for special Masses (with the renewal of marriage vows, for the anointing of the sick) for prayer and veneration until Monday, May 18 and then, from Monday through Wednesday, May 20, will be received at Holy Trinity Church in Dorchester. See the schedule for events at the Cathedral in Plymouth.  Let's unite in prayer with the people of the diocese of Plymouth in thanksgiving for this great grace.

Vatican schedules consistory for causes for canonization for Saturday, June 27, 2015. Will the canonization of Blessed Louis and Zelie Martin be announced on that date?

The Vatican Information Service announced today that  a calendar of liturgical celebrations at which the Pope will preside. published by the Office of Liturgical Celebrations, includes a consistory (a formal meeting of the College of Cardinals called by the Pope) on Saturday, June 27. 2015 at 10:00 a.m. in the Consistory Hall "for various causes for canonization.".

On March 4, 2015, in a story about the possible canonization of Blessed Louis and Zelie, the Catholic News Service reported that an unnamed Vatican official had said that the consistory at which Pope Francis would consult with the cardinals and announce the decision about the canonization of Louis and Zelie would probably take place in June.  Let's continue to pray that the Holy Spirit will guide the Church in the matter of God's designs for Louis and Zelie Martin.  Will we learn the answer to those prayers on June 27?

Fr. Antonio Sangalli, vice-postulator of the cause for canonization of Louis and Zelie Martin, on the significance of their lives, miracle, and canonization.

FATHER ANTONIO SANGALLI, THE CARMELITE FRIAR WHO IS VICE-POSTULATOR OF THE CAUSE FOR CANONIZATION OF BLESSED LOUIS AND ZELIE MARTIN, IN VALENCIA, 2013.  PHTO CREDIT: ELPERIODICO.

Breaking news: the first interview in English by the vice-postulator, Fr. Antonio Sangalli, on the significance of the approval of the miracle attributed to Blessed Louis and Zelie Martin and the meaning of their lives and canonization.  In an interview with Zenit, Fr. Sangalli said, among other things: 

"They give witness that the conjugal and marital experience is not an obstacle to holiness, but rather that two spouses who love each other can become saints. . . .

[The canonization] testifies that holiness permeates all stages of life and that there are no difficulties that cannot be overcome. . . .

"This is the example they transmit today: the Martin family – who today the Church sanctifies – have faced all under God's gaze, placing Jesus Christ in the first place of every situation, both of joy and anguish, always certain of this great embrace of the Lord and that with His help they would be able to do anything, and overcome any difficulty."

Please read the full interview with Father Sangalli about Blessed Louis and Zelie Martin in Zenit.