Bio

 

Zelie was born in 1831, into a deeply faithful family, and grew up hoping to enter the religious life. She was turned away as well, however, because of health problems such as respiratory problems and headaches. She instead took up lacework and soon became very successful with her own small business.

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She met Louis Martin in 1858 and they were married only 3 months later. Though they thought they'd remain celibate in their marriage, a spiritual director later counseled them that this was not exactly how marriage was supposed to work. The two then had nine children, with four tragically dying in infancy, one due to the abuse of a nurse.

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Louis soon sold his watchmaking business and went into partnership with Zelie's lace business because she had grown so successful. In their free time, the family spent much time in nature (Louis loved the outdoors and animals), cared for their parents as they aged, and made a few pilgrimages to holy sites.

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The family was to suffer even more tragedies, however, as the Franco-Prussian war began and they were forced to house soldiers in their home. Not long after, when their youngest daughter Therese was only 4, Zelie passed away from breast cancer.

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The family was severely saddened by their loss, but Louis and Zelie had established such strong faith in their daughters that they all were able to carry on. Louis sold the business and moved to be closer to relatives, continuing to raise the girls on his own until three of them entered religious life.​

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Their youngest daughter, Therese, later became a saint and Doctor of the Church.

Louis and Zelie were canonized together in 2015 as the first married couple canonized together.