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| Saints Louis and Zélie Martin |
“If we live by the
Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.” Galatians 5:25
“Through
the Sacrament of Marriage the spouses are united to God and with their
relationship express the love of Christ who gave his life for the salvation of
the world.
“Since
Christ consecrates the love of Christian spouses and is committed to and with
them, this fidelity is not only possible but is the way by which to enter into
ever greater charity. Thus, in the daily life of the couple and of the family,
the spouses learn to love as Christ loves.”
Benedict
XVI, Letter on the Occasion of the 10th International Youth Forum,
2010
“If only you would have the good luck to meet a woman like I
want for you, she would be your blessedness, but they are truly rare and I
don’t know any. There’s no one but God who could get one to give to you.”
Letter
of Zélie to her brother Isidore
One day, as she was walking on St Léonard Bridge, Zélie
Guérin crossed paths with a young man. At that moment an inner voice whispered
to her: “This is the one I have prepared for you.” The two young people quickly
came to admire each other and to love each other. Three months after their
first meeting, they were united before God. This was on July 12, 1858.
“I kiss you with all my heart. I’m so happy today at the
thought of seeing you again that I can’t work. Your wife, who loves you more
than her life.”
Letter
of Zélie to Louis, CF 46
As we begin this novena, let us thank God for the meeting of
Louis and Zélie Martin. Let us entrust our intentions to their intercession, and
ask the Lord to open the way of blessedness to us as well.
Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd;
there is nothing I shall want.
Fresh and green are the pastures
where he gives me repose.
Near restful waters he leads me,
to revive my drooping spirit.
He guides me along the right path;
he is true to his name.
If I should walk in the valley of darkness
no evil would I fear.
You are there with your crook and your staff;
You are there with your crook and your staff;
with these you give me comfort.
You have prepared a banquet for me
in the sight of my foes.
My head you have anointed with oil;
my cup is overflowing.
Surely goodness and kindness shall follow me
all the days of my life.
In the Lord’s house shall I dwell
for ever and ever.
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.
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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.
For my husband, and my daughters and their husbands, to be strengthened with Christ's love. For my son, that he may find the support he needs to hear the Good Shepherd's voice and respond to his call. For my daughter who is suffering with chronic infections and my elderly parents who are celebrating their 63rd wedding anniversary on June 9th and my dad's 90th birthday on July 12th, may they draw close to Jesus and know the healing power that flows through Him.
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