Léonie Martin, Disciple and Sister of St. Thérèse of Lisieux
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  • About the site
  • Léonie's life
  • Zelie Guerin Louis Martin before his marriage Sites of the Martin family at Alencon Louis and Zelie Martin's house and watch-shop at Rue Pont-Neuf Léonie's childhood at Alençon St. Pierre de Montsort, Léonie's parish church until 1878 Notre-Dame Church, where the Martins were married and Therese was baptized Rue Saint-Blaise, Zelie's girlhood home and the Martin family's home 1871-1877 Photos of Blessed Louis Martin Louis Martin's Pavilion on the outskirts of Alencon Léonie's youth at Lisieux Les Buissonnets Les Buissonnets, where Louis Martin lived from 1877 through 12 February 1889 Cathedral of St. Pierre, exterior The Cathedral of St. Pierre Photo Album of those who knew the Martins at Lisieux Photos of various members of family of Louis and Zelie Martin and St. Therese Photographs of family of Isidore Guerin, Zelie Martin's brother, Therese's uncle Countryside around Lisieux Léonie's life as a laywoman with the Guérin family, 1889-1893 and 1895-1899 7 Rue Labbey, Lisieux, the Guerin house, Rue Paul-Banaston Photos of Louis Martin at 7 rue Labbey, Lisieux, his home 1892-1894 Dedication of a plaque at 7 rue Labbey, Lisieux Chateau La Musse, Evreux, where Leonie vacationed with the Guerins The death of Louis Martin, July 29, 1894 Death and funeral documents for St. Therese Léonie at the Visitation of Caen Léonie's room at the Visitation Monastery in Caen Photographs of the Monastery of the Visitation at Caen Saint Therese of Lisieux: A Gateway
  • Toward sainthood
  • "The hidden life of Léonie Martin," Famille Chretienne, June 8, 2013
  • Virtual Tour of Leonie's new shrine
  • Leonie Martin, Disciple and Sister of St. Therese of Lisieux Blog
  • "Saint Thérèse of Lisieux: A Gateway"
  • "Saints Louis and Zelie Martin, The Parents of Saint Therese of Lisieux""
  • E-mail me
  • Notices and Policies
  • Search the Site
  • Join our mailing list

Léonie Martin, Disciple and Sister of St. Thérèse of Lisieux

  • Home/
  • About the site/
  • Léonie's life/
  • Photo Gallery/
    • Zelie Guerin
    • Louis Martin before his marriage
    • Sites of the Martin family at Alencon
    • Louis and Zelie Martin's house and watch-shop at Rue Pont-Neuf
    • Léonie's childhood at Alençon
    • St. Pierre de Montsort, Léonie's parish church until 1878
    • Notre-Dame Church, where the Martins were married and Therese was baptized
    • Rue Saint-Blaise, Zelie's girlhood home and the Martin family's home 1871-1877
    • Photos of Blessed Louis Martin
    • Louis Martin's Pavilion on the outskirts of Alencon
    • Léonie's youth at Lisieux
    • Les Buissonnets
    • Les Buissonnets, where Louis Martin lived from 1877 through 12 February 1889
    • Cathedral of St. Pierre, exterior
    • The Cathedral of St. Pierre
    • Photo Album of those who knew the Martins at Lisieux
    • Photos of various members of family of Louis and Zelie Martin and St. Therese
    • Photographs of family of Isidore Guerin, Zelie Martin's brother, Therese's uncle
    • Countryside around Lisieux
    • Léonie's life as a laywoman with the Guérin family, 1889-1893 and 1895-1899
    • 7 Rue Labbey, Lisieux, the Guerin house, Rue Paul-Banaston
    • Photos of Louis Martin at 7 rue Labbey, Lisieux, his home 1892-1894
    • Dedication of a plaque at 7 rue Labbey, Lisieux
    • Chateau La Musse, Evreux, where Leonie vacationed with the Guerins
    • The death of Louis Martin, July 29, 1894
    • Death and funeral documents for St. Therese
    • Léonie at the Visitation of Caen
    • Léonie's room at the Visitation Monastery in Caen
    • Photographs of the Monastery of the Visitation at Caen
    • Saint Therese of Lisieux: A Gateway
  • Toward sainthood/
  • "The hidden life of Léonie Martin," Famille Chretienne, June 8, 2013/
  • Virtual Tour of Leonie's new shrine/
  • Leonie Martin, Disciple and Sister of St. Therese of Lisieux Blog/
  • "Saint Thérèse of Lisieux: A Gateway"/
  • "Saints Louis and Zelie Martin, The Parents of Saint Therese of Lisieux""/
  • E-mail me/
  • Notices and Policies/
  • Search the Site/
  • Join our mailing list/
Louis Martin's watchmaking tools

Léonie Martin, Disciple and Sister of St. Thérèse of Lisieux

A disciple of the way of confidence and love

Photos of Blessed Louis Martin, Leonie's father

Léonie Martin, Disciple and Sister of St. Thérèse of Lisieux

  • Home/
  • About the site/
  • Léonie's life/
  • Photo Gallery/
    • Zelie Guerin
    • Louis Martin before his marriage
    • Sites of the Martin family at Alencon
    • Louis and Zelie Martin's house and watch-shop at Rue Pont-Neuf
    • Léonie's childhood at Alençon
    • St. Pierre de Montsort, Léonie's parish church until 1878
    • Notre-Dame Church, where the Martins were married and Therese was baptized
    • Rue Saint-Blaise, Zelie's girlhood home and the Martin family's home 1871-1877
    • Photos of Blessed Louis Martin
    • Louis Martin's Pavilion on the outskirts of Alencon
    • Léonie's youth at Lisieux
    • Les Buissonnets
    • Les Buissonnets, where Louis Martin lived from 1877 through 12 February 1889
    • Cathedral of St. Pierre, exterior
    • The Cathedral of St. Pierre
    • Photo Album of those who knew the Martins at Lisieux
    • Photos of various members of family of Louis and Zelie Martin and St. Therese
    • Photographs of family of Isidore Guerin, Zelie Martin's brother, Therese's uncle
    • Countryside around Lisieux
    • Léonie's life as a laywoman with the Guérin family, 1889-1893 and 1895-1899
    • 7 Rue Labbey, Lisieux, the Guerin house, Rue Paul-Banaston
    • Photos of Louis Martin at 7 rue Labbey, Lisieux, his home 1892-1894
    • Dedication of a plaque at 7 rue Labbey, Lisieux
    • Chateau La Musse, Evreux, where Leonie vacationed with the Guerins
    • The death of Louis Martin, July 29, 1894
    • Death and funeral documents for St. Therese
    • Léonie at the Visitation of Caen
    • Léonie's room at the Visitation Monastery in Caen
    • Photographs of the Monastery of the Visitation at Caen
    • Saint Therese of Lisieux: A Gateway
  • Toward sainthood/
  • "The hidden life of Léonie Martin," Famille Chretienne, June 8, 2013/
  • Virtual Tour of Leonie's new shrine/
  • Leonie Martin, Disciple and Sister of St. Therese of Lisieux Blog/
  • "Saint Thérèse of Lisieux: A Gateway"/
  • "Saints Louis and Zelie Martin, The Parents of Saint Therese of Lisieux""/
  • E-mail me/
  • Notices and Policies/
  • Search the Site/
  • Join our mailing list/
Louis Martin's watchmaking tools

Louis Martin's watchmaking tools

Photograph by Juan Marrero.  Lisieux, 2008.

Louis Martin's watch

Louis Martin's watch

Photograph by Juan Marrero.  Lisieux, 2008.

The pavilion, Louis Martin's garden on the outskirts of Alencon

The pavilion, Louis Martin's garden on the outskirts of Alencon

Photograph by Juan Marrero, 2008.

Louis Martin's fishing tackle on the first floor of his Pavilion

Louis Martin's fishing tackle on the first floor of his Pavilion

Photograph by Juan Marrero, 2008.

Louis's desk on the second floor of the Pavilion

Louis's desk on the second floor of the Pavilion

Photograph by Juan Marrero, 2008.

Staircase leading up to Louis's bedroom in the Pavilion

Staircase leading up to Louis's bedroom in the Pavilion

Photograph by Juan Marrero, 2008.

Composite photo of Louis Martin in his mid-thirties with his wife, Zelie Guerin

Composite photo of Louis Martin in his mid-thirties with his wife, Zelie Guerin

Courtesy of Fr. Antonio Sangalli, O.C.D.

Clock at Les Buissonnets made by Lous Martin

Clock at Les Buissonnets made by Lous Martin

Photograph by Juan Marrero, 2008.

Louis Martin's crucifix at Les Buisonnets

Louis Martin's crucifix at Les Buisonnets

Photograph by Juan Marrero, 2008.

Photograph of Louis Martin at age 65

Photograph of Louis Martin at age 65

Courtesy of Fr. Antonio Sangalli

Louis Martin in his wheelchair in the garden of 7 rue Labbey

Louis Martin in his wheelchair in the garden of 7 rue Labbey

Leonie Martin, Louis Martin in his wheelchair, Celine Martin, Isidore Guerin.  Seated: Celine Guerin.  Foreground:  Therese's spaniel, Tom.  Background:  Marie and Desire Le Juif, servants who looked after Louis and the household at rue Labbey.  1892.  Photograph courtesy of Fr. Antonio Sangalli, O.C.D.

Louis Martin in death.  Chateau La Musse, July 29, 1894

Louis Martin in death. Chateau La Musse, July 29, 1894

"When one recalls and has imprinted upon one's mind his beautiful expression, calm and full of such happy peace, it is impossible not to be led to love God."  Marie Guerin, July 28, 1895.

Image of the Holy Face of Jesus given by Isidore Guerin

Image of the Holy Face of Jesus given by Isidore Guerin

Photograph by Juan Marrero.  Lisieux, 2008.

Louis Martin's death card, with texts evoking Jesus, the Suffering Servant

Louis Martin's death card, with texts evoking Jesus, the Suffering Servant

Courtesy of Father Antonio Sangalli, O.C.D.

Reverse of Louis Martin's death card, with texts chosen by his daughters

Reverse of Louis Martin's death card, with texts chosen by his daughters

Courtesy of Father Antonio Sangalli, O.C.D.

At Chateau La Musse, the bust of Bl.Louis Martin with his daughter, St. Therese.

At Chateau La Musse, the bust of Bl.Louis Martin with his daughter, St. Therese.

Photograph by Juan Marrero, 2008.

Crowds venerate the reliquary of Bl. Louis and Zelie after their beatification

Crowds venerate the reliquary of Bl. Louis and Zelie after their beatification

Photograph by Juan Marrero.  Lisieux, October 19, 2008.

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Louis Martin's watchmaking tools
Louis Martin's watch
The pavilion, Louis Martin's garden on the outskirts of Alencon
Louis Martin's fishing tackle on the first floor of his Pavilion
Louis's desk on the second floor of the Pavilion
Staircase leading up to Louis's bedroom in the Pavilion
Composite photo of Louis Martin in his mid-thirties with his wife, Zelie Guerin
Clock at Les Buissonnets made by Lous Martin
Louis Martin's crucifix at Les Buisonnets
Photograph of Louis Martin at age 65
Louis Martin in his wheelchair in the garden of 7 rue Labbey
Louis Martin in death.  Chateau La Musse, July 29, 1894
Image of the Holy Face of Jesus given by Isidore Guerin
Louis Martin's death card, with texts evoking Jesus, the Suffering Servant
Reverse of Louis Martin's death card, with texts chosen by his daughters
At Chateau La Musse, the bust of Bl.Louis Martin with his daughter, St. Therese.
Crowds venerate the reliquary of Bl. Louis and Zelie after their beatification
  • Home/
  • About the site/
  • Léonie's life/
  • Photo Gallery/
    • Zelie Guerin
    • Louis Martin before his marriage
    • Sites of the Martin family at Alencon
    • Louis and Zelie Martin's house and watch-shop at Rue Pont-Neuf
    • Léonie's childhood at Alençon
    • St. Pierre de Montsort, Léonie's parish church until 1878
    • Notre-Dame Church, where the Martins were married and Therese was baptized
    • Rue Saint-Blaise, Zelie's girlhood home and the Martin family's home 1871-1877
    • Photos of Blessed Louis Martin
    • Louis Martin's Pavilion on the outskirts of Alencon
    • Léonie's youth at Lisieux
    • Les Buissonnets
    • Les Buissonnets, where Louis Martin lived from 1877 through 12 February 1889
    • Cathedral of St. Pierre, exterior
    • The Cathedral of St. Pierre
    • Photo Album of those who knew the Martins at Lisieux
    • Photos of various members of family of Louis and Zelie Martin and St. Therese
    • Photographs of family of Isidore Guerin, Zelie Martin's brother, Therese's uncle
    • Countryside around Lisieux
    • Léonie's life as a laywoman with the Guérin family, 1889-1893 and 1895-1899
    • 7 Rue Labbey, Lisieux, the Guerin house, Rue Paul-Banaston
    • Photos of Louis Martin at 7 rue Labbey, Lisieux, his home 1892-1894
    • Dedication of a plaque at 7 rue Labbey, Lisieux
    • Chateau La Musse, Evreux, where Leonie vacationed with the Guerins
    • The death of Louis Martin, July 29, 1894
    • Death and funeral documents for St. Therese
    • Léonie at the Visitation of Caen
    • Léonie's room at the Visitation Monastery in Caen
    • Photographs of the Monastery of the Visitation at Caen
    • Saint Therese of Lisieux: A Gateway
  • Toward sainthood/
  • "The hidden life of Léonie Martin," Famille Chretienne, June 8, 2013/
  • Virtual Tour of Leonie's new shrine/
  • Leonie Martin, Disciple and Sister of St. Therese of Lisieux Blog/
  • "Saint Thérèse of Lisieux: A Gateway"/
  • "Saints Louis and Zelie Martin, The Parents of Saint Therese of Lisieux""/
  • E-mail me/
  • Notices and Policies/
  • Search the Site/
  • Join our mailing list/

Léonie Martin, Disciple and Sister of St. Thérèse of Lisieux

Léonie  Martin, the sister of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, became Sister Françoise-Thérèse of the Monastery of the Visitation at Caen in northern France.  Léonie led a challenging life: ill from childhood; abused by a maidservant; expelled from school; isolated within her family.   She tried religious life three times before she  succeeded: in 1899, at the age of 35, she entered definitively the Monastery of the Visitation at Caen, where she died in 1941 at the age of 78. 

How did the troubled child and unhappy teenager turn into the sister everyone remembered as so kind, so serene, and so happy that they could not believe she had had a difficult childhood?  As a laywoman, Léonie lived at the margins of her family and her society.  She found Christ there and made him the center and the source of her life.  She discovered God within herself, in her woundedness, and she became the first disciple of Thérèse's "way of confidence and love."

After her death, Léonie was almost forgotten for a long time.  But, about 1960, the nuns of her monastery began to receive letters from all over the world asking them to pray that Léonie might obtain graces for those who wrote.  Many of these letters came from the parents of special children, from families in conflict, and from persons who, like Léonie, struggle to find and to fulfill their vocations.  These were followed by letters of thanksgiving.  Pilgrims come to pray at her tomb, to ask for graces and to give thanks.  Now she is being considered for beatifcation.  Mgr Jean-Claude Boulanger, bishop of Bayeux-Lisieux, the diocese where Léonie lived most of her life and where she died, has granted the imprimatur for a prayer asking that Léonie might be declared "venerable" (that is, declared to have practced heroic virtue).  

Léonie's mission is to draw souls, especially the wounded, the broken, and those who have not found a place in the world, to God.  Invite her to accompany you and to lead you to surrender yourself, as she did, to God's "consuming and transforming love."

 

Copyright Maureen O’Riordan 2013-2023. All rights reserved.

Copyright Maureen O'Riordan 2013-2016. All rights reserved.