Statement by the Visitation Monastery at Caen on Bishop Boulanger's announcement that he has requested permission to open a diocesan inquiry into the sainthood of Leonie Martin, February 8, 2015

The community of the Visitation at Caen, where Leonie Martin lived as Sister Francoise-Therese from 1899 until her death in 1941.

“We would like to point out a topic that to us was very sensitive. Several of us went to the Basilica of Lisieux for the Mass of Beatification of the parents of St. Thérèse.
Indeed, our Bishop, as well as several priests, had insisted that the monastery of Léonie must be represented. At the end of the ceremony, the Carmelite friar who is vice-postulator of the cause of Mr and Mrs Martin [Fr. Antonio Sangalli, O.C.D.] approached our group and, on his knees, begged us to act with a view to possibly opening the process of beatification for Léonie, the third daughter of the blesseds, who has been so much forgotten, even though her tomb is often visited by many pilgrims who come to entrust their intentions to Léonie or to thank her for favors obtained.
To our various objections, he replied that everything could be resolved!
Actually, we have done nothing personally, and the Lord seems to want to do this, the wish of many persons, as our Bishop, Mgr Boulanger, just announced officially.
The Sisters of the monastery of the Visitation of CAEN”