St. Zelie Martin: Why All Mothers are Saints

Happy very belated Mother’s Day to all the Moms out there!  

We all have mothers or mother-like figures in our lives.  If you have ever felt the influence of a mother you know that mothers are inherently Saints.  They devote their love towards their children, and their children can rely on them for anything.  I want to thank my own mother, for being such an inspiration in my life and for always being there when I need her.  

To showcase the saintliness of Motherhood, I want to present a mother whose daughter often thanked and praised.  The Daughter is St. Therese of Lisieux, and her parents were both so great that they became canonized themselves, St. Louis and Zelie Martin.  

Zelie Martin, Therese’s mother was devoted to bringing up children for God.  She had a total of 9 children with Louis, 5 daughters of which survived into adulthood.  Both Zelie and her husband Louis taught the children the Catholic faith, and all of their children became nuns.  Zelie herself was not only defined by her motherhood.  Before she married, she started her own lacemaking business, which she kept going even after her husband’s watchmaking business failed.  She herself had originally wanted to be a nun, but discerned that she did not have the vocation.  After being such a wonderful mother to her daughters, she died at the age of 45 years old from Breast Cancer.  

If you know anything about St. Therese of Lisieux, or have read her book, you know that she adored her parents, and looked up to her mother as a role model.  Although Zelie died when Therese was only 3 or 4 years old, she left a lasting impact not only on her daughter, but the entire family.  Her holiness helped keep the family together, even in tough times.  

Zelie is just one example of a holy mother, but let’s be honest, the love that a mother gives a child is one of the most holy acts in the world.  When a mother truly has a love, she leaves an impact on her children and everyone she knows.  So, thank you to all the mothers who have given their great love.  You are truly Saints.