Saint Louis Martin: A Model of Faith, Family, and Love

Saint Louis Martin was a French layman and the father of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux. He is venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church and is the patron saint of families. 

Louis Martin was born on August 22nd, 1823, in Bordeaux, France, the youngest of seven children born to Francois Martin and Marie Guerin. He was baptized the following day in the Church of Saint Eulalie. Louis was educated at a local school and, upon completing his studies, his parents arranged for him to work as a clerk in a local business.

In 1858, Louis married the highly-skilled lace maker, Zélie Guérin and together they had 9 children, 5 of which lived to adulthood. 4 of the 5 went on to become Religious Sisters, the youngest, Thérèse, becoming a Carmelite nun. Louis and Zélie were devoted to each other, and to their children, and to their Catholic faith. They did their best to raise their children in a loving and supportive environment. Louis was a devout Catholic who taught his children the importance of prayer, charity and faith. He encouraged his daughters to pursue their religious vocations. 

Louis and Zélie were known for their charitable works, and taking in and caring for the poor. In addition to his family, Saint Louis Martin was also deeply devoted to the Catholic Church. He and his wife were active members of their parish and worked tirelessly to support the church and its mission. Louis Martin also had a great love for the Holy Eucharist and was known for his deep devotion to the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the consecrated bread and wine.

The couple faced many challenges in his life. He and his wife lost five of their children, and he struggled with poor health for much of his life. However, he never lost hope and continued to trust in God's plan for his life.

Saint Louis Martin died on July 29th, 1894, in Alençon, France. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II on October 19th, 2008, and was canonized by Pope Francis on October 18th, 2015. The feast day of Saint Louis Martin is celebrated annually on July 29th.

Saint Louis Martin is the patron saint of families, and his feast day is celebrated on the anniversary of his death. He is remembered for his faith and his commitment to his family.