News and Pics by Stanley Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network—Mangalore (RD/CN)
Mangalore, Oct 23: The Cloistered Carmel sisters at Kankanady, on Wednesday October 22, celebrated the pronouncement of Louis and Zelic Martin, parents of Our Little Flower St Theresa as ‘blessed’ by Pope Benedict XVI a few days ago in Vatican.
Dr Santosh Kamath SJ offered the holy mass along with Fr Ravi D’Sa, attended by hundreds of faithful seeking intercession of the blessed couple. Louis Martin was born on August 22, 1823, in Borden. He was a very pious man who wished to be a priest but did not have the vocation.
Zelic Guerin was born on December 23, 1831. She had a very unhappy childhood as her mother was not affectionate towards her. Even she wished to lead a life devoted to her faith but lacked the vocation.
Louis and Zelic married on July 18, 1858. The couple had nine children and wished to offer all their offspring to the good Lord. Of the nine offspring, two daughters and two sons died in infancy.
The other four joined the Carmel Order and one became a nun at visitation order. The ninth daughter was our Little Flower St Theresa. The couple had to face many hardships and made many sacrifices. Zelic died in August 28, 1877, of cancer.