Day One, July 4: Novena to Saints Louis and Zélie Martin

Saints Louis and Zélie Martin

Day One: For Couples and Those Hoping to Form a Household

“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 10^th 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;

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.