What is "The Family of Louis and Zélie"
- It is the spiritual union of all the friends of Louis and Zélie Martin: of all those who recognize in them an example of Christian life.
- It is join the Martin family, becoming their spiritual children. Thus we respond to the desire of Saint Zélie: “I wanted to have many children in order to raise them for Heaven. » And how did they educate their children for Heaven? They guided them to Jesus, the Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph. This is why we dedicate ourselves every day to the Holy Family.
Why be part of it?
- The members of “La Famille de Louis et Zélie” form a true spiritual family and support each other in prayer. They take each other's intentions to heart and commit to praying for families.
- Entering into this family helps us to have a closer and more concrete bond with the holy Spouses Martin.
- The Louis and Zélie Sanctuary of Alençon undertakes to pray each day especially for the members of “The Family of Louis and Zélie” and for their intentions, as they will be entrusted to us. As soon as we receive them, we will place them in the room of Saints Louis and Zélie.
- Every week a Mass will be celebrated at the Sanctuary especially for them.
“La Famille de Louis et Zélie” was founded in Alençon on March 25, 2017 with the blessing of Bishop Jacques Habert:
“When Christians are canonized, they are given to us as an example and a model. They are also given to us as intercessors. We know and believe that Louis and Zélie pray for all families. By accepting to become their friends, you enter into this chain of prayer, into this brotherhood with them. I encourage you in this process. May the Lord bless this project of forming “the family of Louis and Zélie”.
Bishop Jacques Habert, Bishop of Séez
What does it mean to be part of "La Famille de Louis et Zélie"?
- I consecrate myself every day to the Holy Family with the prayer of “The Family of Louis and Zélie”.
- Following Saints Louis and Zélie, I strive every day to give God first place in my life.
- The Sanctuary of Alençon will send me on the 13th of each month, the wedding day of the Martin spouses, a letter with a spiritual meditation, the proposal for a practical effort to be made to better live this spirituality and some news. Thus, Saints Louis and Zélie will help us to live, like them, our daily faith in justice and fraternal charity, which amounts to taking the "little way" of the Gospel full of trust and love so luminously enlightened by Saint Thérèse and remarkably practiced by Léonie, their daughters.
- Saints Louis and Zélie, being the first couple canonized together, we particularly invite member couples to renew their marriage promises each year.
Who can be part of it?
All those who wish and who want to enter into this spirituality: couples, families, young people, engaged couples, singles, religious, priests, widows… each of you.
The latest "Letter of the 13th"
Subscribe to the Family of Louis and Zélie
How to become part of the Louis and Zélie Family?
Simply register via the form opposite (or via the paper form to be returned to the Sanctuaire d'Alençon – Communication Department, 50 rue Saint-Blaise 61000 Alençon):
a register of members will be deposited in the marital chamber of Saints Louis and Zélie, the birthplace of Saint Thérèse.
Support the shrine
The generosity of donors helps us carry out the projects of the shrine:
• Spread the message Saints Louis and Zélie Martin and Saint Thérèse
• To welcome a growing number of pilgrims
• Organize about ten events per year at the service of couples, families, people with diverse life realities, and to make them accessible even to the most modest incomes.
