Ninth Day of the Novena to Saints Louis and Zelie Martin

prepared for Sainte-Therese Parish in Metz, France.  Used with the permission of Fr. Jean-Claude Lange and translated by Mary Davidson for "Saint Therese of Lisieux: A Gateway."  Please join me in thanking them.

Consecration

“But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name” (John 1: 12).

Consecration to Mary

"I choose you today, O Mary, in the presence of all the heavenly court,   for my Mother and my Queen. I consecrate to you, with full submission and love, my body and my soul, my talents and possessions, and even the  value of all my good actions, past, present and future. I give to you a   full right to dispose of me and all that belongs to me, without exception, according to your good pleasure, for the greater glory of God, in time and eternity. Amen.”

(St. Louis Marie Grignon de Montfort)

Reflection:

Since our baptism, do we constantly call to mind that we are bathed in the anointing of the Lord, incorporated into Christ? Do we remember that through the Sacraments, we receive the blessing of the Father? “Jacob called his sons and said: ‘Gather around, that I may tell you what is to happen to you in days to come.’….. He blessed them and “to each he gave a suitable blessing” (Genesis 49: 1, 28). God gives each person what she or he needs in his or her state in life when it is needed, as a mission, a healing, a conversion.

In anticipation of this meeting and in this time of formation, let us take refuge in the bridal chamber of the spouses of Heaven. We are united to Christ in the Trinitarian life by Love:

“May Christ dwell in your hearts through faith; may you be rooted and grounded in Love” (Ephesians 3: 17).

So let us stand up and, face to face with our God, proclaim our faith! Let us ber eceptive to the Holy Spirit, so that the blessing of the Father may flow over us like a saving, merciful dew. We thank you, Father, for our hope that we can receive You into our hearts and that we may be worthy to carry You there always.

Final Meditation:

Saints Louis and Zelie Martin, consecrated in the heart of the family of Nazareth, teach us the desire of consecration. Amen.

Saints Louis and Zelie Martin, we ask you for consecration for ourselves, our family, and all families of the world. Amen.

Saint Zelie Martin, through St. Thérèse, give to us the love of life. Amen.

Saint Louis Martin, King of your family, through St. Thérèse, teach us the family liturgy where we may be called priest, prophet, and king. Amen.

Our Father…..

Hail Mary…..

Closing Prayer of the Novena:

Prayer to Saints Louis and Zelie Martin

Saints Louis and Zélie Martin,
after having had the desire for religious life,
you heard the Lord's call to the vocation of marriage. 

You are the "parents without equal"
of whom your daughter Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus speaks;
the fortunate parents of Léonie,
the Servant of God, Sister Françoise-Thérèse;
of Marie, Pauline, and Céline,
transplanted to Mount Carmel;
and of the four children
taken from your affection in their youth:
Hélène, Joseph, Jean-Baptiste, and Mélanie-Thérèse.

 You gave all glory to God
through your humble and patient work,
your commitment to the poor,
and your family life,
where reigned the happiness
of loving and being loved.

 You lived your daily life concretely
through the joys and sorrows of your existence.

 You love us as your own children,
with the heart of a father and the heart of a mother,
because you are the friends of God. 

Listen to our prayer and our request
(state the request . . . )
and intercede for us with God the Father,
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
in the grace of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

This prayer is courtesy of the Shrine of Sts. Louis and Zelie Martin in Alencon.
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Prayer that was recited before the canonization:

"God Our Father,

I thank you for Louis and Zelie Martin,

a couple united in faith, giving the witness of an exemplary Christian life

through the exercise of the duty of their state in life

and the practice of the evangelical virtues.

In the education of a large family,

through trials, mourning, and suffering,

they generously expressed their trust in You

and their submission to Your will.

Deign to grant, O Lord, the graces that I seek,

in the hope that the father and mother of St. Therese of the Child Jesus

will one day be proposed as models for today's families for the entire Church. Amen."

Imprimatur

This novena with Louis and Zelie Martin can be distributed among individuals and groups who wish to use it for inspiration.

Mgr A.M. LEONARD

Bishop of Namur

September 21, 1998

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Note:   families who want to learn more about Saints Louis and Zelie Martin are encouraged to read the book A Call to a Deeper Love: The Family Correspondence of the Parents of St. Therese, 1863-1885, which contains not only the letters of Louis and Zelie but also an introduction, historical background, invaluable notes, a groundbreaking chronology, and other helps to understanding this family.