The Mother of the Little Flower: Zélie Martin (1831-1877) by Celine Martin (Sister Genevieve of the Holy Face)

Was St. Thérèse's mother herself a saint? Zélie Martin and her husband Louis were declared Venerable by the Church in 1994 for their "Heroic Virtue," and the couple's cause is now progressing toward Beatification. Zélie married at 27, bore 9 children, ran a home business and did a superb job of raising 5 daughters—including "the greatest saint of modern times." (St. Pius X). She died of breast cancer at 45, but her greatness was recognized by her family and her friends, and is now known to the world. Zélie suffered many of the ordinary burdens of life, yet she was happy, loved her children "madly" and enjoyed them immensely. This book was written by her daughter Celine, who had access to Zelie's letters and to the reminiscences of her older sisters in the Carmel of Lisieux. It is authentic and inspiring, showing what a tremendous life's work and accomplishment it is to be a truly Catholic mother.