Louis Martin and Azélie-Marie ("Zélie") Guérin Martin

Louis Martin (22 August 1823 – 29 July 1894) and Azélie-Marie ("Zélie") Guérin Martin (23 December 1831 – 28 August 1877) were a French Roman Catholic couple who are best known as the parents of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux. They had nine children, four of whom died in infancy. The remaining five, all girls, became nuns. Their youngest child, Thérèse, entered a Carmelite convent at the age of 15 and was canonized as a saint in 1925.

Louis and Zélie were canonized together by Pope Francis on 18 October 2015. They are the first spouses in the history of the Church to be canonized as a couple. Their deep love and dedication to each other and their faith have made them an inspiring example for many Catholic families.

Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, also known as **Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face**, was born as **Marie Françoise-Thérèse Martin** on **January 2, 1873**, in **Alençon, France**. She was the youngest of nine children, five of whom survived childhood. After her mother, Zélie Martin, died of breast cancer in 1877, Thérèse moved with her family to Lisieux, France.

Thérèse felt an early call to religious life and, after overcoming various obstacles, she entered the **Carmelite convent** at Lisieux at the age of 15. She joined two of her elder sisters in the cloistered Carmelite community. Despite her young age, Thérèse's spiritual maturity and dedication to her faith were remarkable.

Thérèse is widely known for her **"Little Way"** philosophy, which emphasizes doing small things with great love and trust in God. Her approach to spirituality was simple yet profound, making her an influential model of sanctity for many. She documented her spiritual journey in a collection of epistolary essays titled **"Story of a Soul"** (Histoire d'une âme), which was published posthumously in 1898.

Thérèse suffered from tuberculosis and died at the age of 24 on **September 30, 1897**. Despite her short life, her impact on the Catholic Church was significant. She was canonized by Pope Pius XI on **May 17, 1925**, and her feast day is celebrated on **October 1**. In 1997, Pope John Paul II declared her a **Doctor of the Church**, recognizing her exceptional contribution to Catholic theology.

Thérèse is also known as the **"Little Flower"** and is a patron saint of missions, florists, pilots, and priests. Her burial site at Lisieux has become a place of pilgrimage, and a basilica bearing her name was built there. Her life and teachings continue to inspire many people around the world.

(1) Thérèse of Lisieux - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Th%C3%A9r%C3%A8se_of_Lisieux.
(2) St. Therese of Lisieux | Biography, Feast Day, Patron Saint Of .... https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Therese-of-Lisieux.
(3) Saint Therese of Lisieux - uCatholic. https://ucatholic.com/saints/therese-of-lisieux/.
(4) Getty Images. https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/therese-martin-born-in-alencon-2nd-january-1873-and-died-in-news-photo/152231724.