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| Statue of St. Louis and St. Therese. Photo by Katie Boos. |
Day Five: Work and
the Duties of One’s State in Life
“Whatever you do, in
word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord.” Colossians 3:17
“From the example of St. Joseph we all receive a strong
invitation to carry out with fidelity, simplicity and modesty the task
that Providence has entrusted to us. I think especially of fathers and
mothers of families, and I pray that they will always be able to appreciate the
beauty of a simple and industrious life, cultivating the conjugal relationship
with care and fulfilling with enthusiasm the great and difficult educational mission.
“May
he help every Christian to fulfill God’s will with confidence and love, thereby
cooperating in the fulfillment of the work of salvation.”
Benedict
XVI, Angelus, 19 March 2006
“I have many problems that other women in my situation don’t
have. It’s this awful Alençon lace that makes life difficult. When I have too
many orders, I’m a slave to the worst kind of slavery. When it’s not going well
and I find myself liable for 20,000 francs out of my own account, and I have to
send to other firms the workers who were so hard to find, this gives me reason
to worry, as well as nightmares! Oh well, what can I do? I must accept it and
come to terms with it as bravely as possible.”
Letter
of Zélie to her brother Isidore, CF 15
“Needless to say, your letter made me very happy, except I
see that you’ve tired yourself out far too much. So I strongly recommend calm
and moderation, above all in your work. I have some orders from the Compagnie Lyonnaise; once again, don’t
worry so much. We’ll manage, with God’s help, to build a good little company.”
Letter
of Louis to Zélie, CF 2-a
Louis and Zélie Martin both worked hard to provide for the
education of their children. In asking for their intercession, let us offer the
Lord the duties of our state in life, and increase our prayers for those who
lack work.
Psalm 127
If the Lord does not build the house,
in vain do its builders labor;
if the Lord does not watch over the city,
in vain does the watchman keep vigil.
In vain is your earlier rising,
your going later to rest,
you who toil for the bread you eat:
when he pours out gifts on his beloved while they slumber.
Truly sons are a gift from the Lord,
a blessing, the fruit of the womb.
Indeed the sons of youth
are like arrows in the hand of a warrior.
O the happiness of the man
who has filled his quiver with these arrows!
He will have no cause for shame
when he disputes with his foes in the gateways.
Glory to the Father...
Novena Prayer
O God, in Louis and Zélie Martin you have given us an
example of holiness lived in marriage.
Look kindly upon the families of our time, and strengthen
them with your love;
Let young people find in them the support they need to hear
your voice and respond to your call.
Support the sick and the elderly with your power.
Louis and Zélie loved to pray to Notre-Dame des Victoires; through
her intercession, we present to you our intention for this novena...
(period
of silence, or state the intention)
Watch over us, and lead us at last into your kingdom of
love.
Notre-Dame des Victoires, pray for us.
Holy Family of Nazareth, pray for us.
Saints Louis and Zélie Martin, pray for us.
------
Sources
Novena translated by Elizabeth and Turner
Nevitt from: Neuvaine par l’intercession
des bienheureux Louis and Zélie Martin. Basilique Notre-Dame des Victoires
(Paris). Éditions Salvator: Paris, 2010. Used with permission of Hervé Soubias,
rector of the Basilica of Notre-Dame des Victoires, Paris.
Louis and Zélie Martin. A Call to a Deeper Love: The Family
Correspondence of the Parents of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, 1863–1885.
Ed. Frances Renda. Trans. Ann Conors Hess. New York: St Paul, 2010. Translation
of Correspondance familiale (1863–1885),
Paris: Éditions du Cerf, 2009.
“Benedict XVI.” https://w2.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en.html
The
Psalms: The Grail Translation. 1963.
The Holy Bible,
Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition. 1966.
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