We all know well the complexity and difficulties of the society in which we live. And we are aware of how, in this context, the Christian education of new generations is one of the most difficult problems to address. We often delegate this task to the parish, but it can never manage on its own…
Faced with this challenge, there is only one possibility for success: a holy family life.
The couple we remember today, through their example and intercession, can greatly help us learn an educational “style” to live within our homes.
Louis Martin and Zélie Guérin, parents of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, canonized by Pope Francis on October 18, 2015, knew how to “create” a very special and holy family, in which all five daughters embraced the cloistered life.
The greatness of Louis and Zélie lies in their ability to make their family an authentic, small domestic Church, shaping family life according to the Gospel model and providing simple yet complete catechesis at home, with the primary goal of raising their children in the faith.
They knew how to reconcile tenderness and rigor, cheerfulness and austerity, authority and gentleness, building day by day an environment full of faith and love.
The Martins were models for their daughters of honesty in business, dedication to work, and detachment from material possessions, aware that they were accompanied by a provident Father.
The story of this holy couple shows us how important the family is and what a fundamental role parents play, through their example and witness, in the human and religious education of their children.
Only by experiencing their parents’ love, enlightened and guided by faith, will children be able to move naturally and spontaneously from the natural to the supernatural, from experiencing the love of their father and mother to experiencing the love of God, the Father and Mother, source of life and happiness.
Starting today, we accept a new challenge: we welcome Jesus into our family, and we will witness wonders!
