In this article, we intend to shed light on an “aspect” of the life of Luigi and Zelia Martin – holy spouses and holy parents of nine children (of whom only five daughters survived, all consecrated to the Lord in cloistered life), including Saint Thérèse of Lisieux – which may be little known, but which we believe is significant.
Luigi and Zelia are the «parents worthy of heaven», according to the definition given to them by Saint Thérèse herself. We might then be tempted to think that their life was therefore always straightforward, without uncertainties, and that they did not experience the fears and difficulties that we may face every day with our children. That is not so: these holy spouses knew the doubts and confusion that every parent has to face, as can be understood by focusing on the relationship Zelia had especially with one of their daughters, Leonia, whom we would today describe as a “troubled” child. We have taken this story from the book Luigi and Zelia Martin. Parents Worthy of Heaven, Shalom Publishing.
A difficult daughter
The victim of an inferiority complex, caused by a series of illnesses in early childhood and mental slowness, as well as the grief of losing her younger sister Elena, who was only slightly younger, Leonia withdrew and became aloof and stubborn, also because of a domestic servant who subjected her to her will and urged her not to obey her mother.
Affectionate but undisciplined, she became Zelia’s constant concern and, at the same time, the object of her care and tenderness. Her mother herself helped her study the catechism, prepared her for First Communion, encouraged her to make small sacrifices and, to better prepare her for the celebration of the sacrament, took her on a pilgrimage to the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Séez. Zelia noticed a change in her daughter Leonia’s character when she was almost 7 years old and wrote: «This poor child causes me some concern because she has an undisciplined character and limited intelligence».
Educating with gentleness and love, always open to hope
Although this daughter was so different from the others, her mother wisely avoided useless comparisons that risked giving rise to a negative prejudice; on the contrary, at every glimmer of light she rejoiced and felt hope rekindled in her heart: «I am more pleased with Leonia: she does what she can to improve; she responds well to explanations when questioned and knows her catechism perfectly […]. She seems firmly determined to correct her faults».
Unfortunately, the difficult situation continued for several years, but instead of showing signs of impatience, the mother seized every opportunity to establish a dialogue with her daughter and highlight every positive aspect of her: “This afternoon I had her come sit beside me so I could have her read some prayers, but she soon had enough and said to me: ‘Mamma, tell me the story of the life of Our Lord Jesus Christ.’ I was not prepared to narrate it; it is something that tires me greatly because my throat always hurts. In the end, I summoned my strength and told her the story of the life of Our Lord. When I reached the Passion, she could not hold back her tears. It pleased me to see these feelings in her.”
Only some years later would Maria Martin, Leonia’s sister, discover that the child was being dominated by the maid Luisa. This woman had adopted an educational method based on fear and threats if Leonia did not obey her in everything; for this reason, her mother could not reach her heart.
When she learns of the situation, Zelia tries to remedy it by giving her daughter Leonia all the love she had been deprived of: “Now I treat this child with such gentleness that I hope, little by little, to correct her faults. Yesterday she went for a walk with me, and we went to the convent of the Poor Clares. She whispered to me: ‘Mamma, ask those who are in the cloister to pray for me so that I may become a nun’. In short, everything is going well; let us hope it continues this way.”
In the face of difficulties, we learn hope from Zelia Martin and, together with her, during this Jubilee, let us become pilgrims of hope.
“Every family is always a light, however faint, in the darkness of the world”, said Pope Francis. The family formed by Luigi and Zelia Martin continues to make its light shine, illuminating our path.
If you would like to share your experience as a parent with us, feel free to write to us; we will be happy to hear from you.
