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Celine continuously updated her sisters at the monastery of their father’s
condition. Her sisters could tell that she was of seeing her father die.
Thérèse saw a remarkable change in her sisters when she saw her the next
time in the parlor. Thérèse wrote to Céline from the monastery to enlighten
her while she was enduring the pain of seeing her father suffer and to
reaffirm that God is with her. Thérèse wrote: “Céline, have no fear; He
is there, quite near. He is looking at us. It is He who asks of us this
suffering, these tears…He has need of them for the sake of souls,
for our soul, as He wants to give us so glorious a reward.” (DBT)
During this time of suffering, Céline had still grown in her artistic
talents. On June 16, 1888, it was offered to her by her father that
he would send her to the Academy to perfect her talents as an artist.
But instantly, she refused for fear that her path to a religious life might
be derailed by worldly temptations. Instead if it was in God’s interest
to make her into a great artist, it was going to be Him who would
perfect her skills. This was the perfect opportunity to express to her
father that she, too, wanted to be a religious. When Louis realized that
Céline was serious about entering into the religious life, he looked upon
it as God’s will for her and each of his daughters. So, after their conversation,
Louis and Céline went to the Blessed Sacrament to thank God for the grace that he had bestowed upon his family, all of his
daughters to become a religious. After hearing the news from his daughter, Louis started the process of trying to separate
himself from her emotionally. He didn’t want to be a burden to her, which he thought he would be, which would keep her by his
side at home. But as fate would have it, Céline stayed at his side till the very end.
On June 23, 1888, Céline started her usual routine of going to morning Mass and then taking care of the household and her
father. Little did she know that while she was taking care of the house, Louis had wandered off. Once Céline realized that her
father was missing, she became very frantic. She immediately went to her uncle Isidore to get his help in finding her father.
Isidore and Céline looked everywhere around Lisieux to find him. She also went to the monastery to let her sisters know that he
was missing. Her sisters prayed for his return and the prioress of the monastery, Mother Geneviève, foretold to them that he
would return. It was three days of grief for Céline until they received a telegram from Louis asking them for money. It was a
surprise to find out that he had wandered all the way to a town called La Havre, about 62 Kilometers away. Once Céline found
out where he was, Isidore joined her and they both went to La Havre to track him down. After hours of waiting for him to
appear, he finally arrived and they took him home.
During the time of Louis’s disappearance, a fire broke out in the early morning hours to the adjoining house. Without knowing of
the destruction occurring next door, Léonie was still in the house. Once alarmed of the situation, she fled to safety. Later, Louis
would buy the property where the destroyed house once stood.
Louis had received a brass crucifix from his daughter Marie before she entered the monastery, to which he kept it in his
bedroom. Céline had much admiration for this crucifix and asked her father if she could have it. With much hesitation he resisted
giving it to her until one day in September of 1888, during Mass; he whispered to her “I give you my crucifix” and then handed
it to her.
It was Thérèse’s desire to have Céline join her in the monastery as soon as possible but with the current situation with her father’
s health it was unrealistic for Céline to make an attempt to even enter. With Thérèse’s soul elevating to new heights in her
relationship with God, she, too, desired that Céline’s soul elevate with hers as well. Céline’s prayer life had become, for the
most part, lifeless; dealing with her father’s failing health and the past opportunity for marriage left for the most part aridity in
her soul. Even though Thérèse was not with Céline in person she was with her always in spirit. Ultimately, she became Céline’s
mentor through visits to the monastery and letters she wrote to her. Thérèse encouraged her to take in part the “Joys of perfect
immolation”. For Céline, it was to practice many virtues and to take every opportunity, no matter how small the virtue was, to
please Jesus. Therese encouraged her to start out by making small gestures towards individuals that surrounded her by either
saying something nice to them or just giving them a smile. However, if Céline did not find any opportunity to practice these small
gestures towards any individuals at least tell Jesus how much you love him. Telling Jesus how much you love him as many
times throughout the day as you can, will strengthen the bond between you and him.
On January 10, 1889, was Thérèse’s clothing day. It was the last time the entire family would be joined together for a
celebration of this magnitude. As Céline described, it was both Louis’s and Thérèse’s day. Louis escorting Thérèse, his little
queen, to the altar in a beautiful white gown, the inseparable duel during her childhood, is given away by him to Jesus.
Weeks later, after Louis started to have more violent strokes, Céline had the daunting task of notifying her sisters that the
decision was made to have Louis sent to Bon Sauveur Home (Holy Savior) in Caen, about 64 kilometer west of Lisieux. Céline
wrote: “Beloved sisters, I am calling to mind these words of the Imitation: I will give infinite glory for a single short-lived
humiliation…Oh! Humiliations! They are our daily bread, but if only you knew what I see hidden in them...To me, it is a mystery
of love. Oh my little sisters do not be grieved, I pray you. I feel that our Lord is so very pleased when we have unlimited
confidence in him, finding all that he does good…No, I am not going to ask God to relieve me of the humiliations,
misunderstandings, heartaches, anxieties, bitterness…But I do beg God to take all that away from our dear father. He can grant
us this grace, and I am sure that he will.” (C)
On February 12, 1889, the time had come to take Louis to Bon Sauveur Home. It was for Céline and Léonie a crushing blow to
have to escort their father and place him in a psychiatric institution. There weren’t enough tears to shed that day to change the
course of events. Louis didn’t know he was going until he entered the building. Upon entering, he accepted it with great humility
and grace. A week later, on February 19th, Céline and Léonie returned to Caen and stayed with the Sisters of St. Vincent de Paul
to be nearer to their father. The rules only allowed for them to see their father once a week. So each day they would
communicate with Mother Costard who took a special interest in their father. Louis believed that his stay at Bon Sauveur was a
trial, for he was always the one who took the lead, now he must be the one to follow and obey. It strengthened Louis’s spirit to
know that Céline and Léonie were nearby and that they inquired each day, every letter they sent him gave him hope.
When Céline experienced the separation and the witnessing of the deterioration of her father’s health, she could see it in her
father’s eyes that he was in the last years of his life. It was the same feelings when her mother was in her last days here on
earth. Céline wrote a letter describing her feelings on this: “The longer I live the more I see exile on all sides. The world seems
like a dream to me, immense confusion…The more I travel, and the more I see of things, the more detached I am from this
earth, because, at each instant, the more I observe the nothingness of what passes away. I am in a real cell; nothing pleases me
more than this poverty. I would not exchange it for the most brilliant drawing room in the world. Suffering accepted in this
manner is an uphill climb. In this rough apprenticeship, the soul is refined and purified. (C) At this time her only real solace was
praying in the chapel, it was for her a safe haven from all the dramas that were taking place in her life.
Céline and Léonie went to see Mother Costard on May 8, 1889; she suggested to them that they return to Lisieux. Mother
Costard promised both of them that she would contact them if there were any changes in his condition. The helplessness and the
guilt of not being able to take care of their father directly were taking a toll on their health. Their uncle Isidore and their sisters
also suggested to them to return to Lisieux. Céline writes: “I feel more and more that my duty is to remain here; yes, it is better
to suffer and not to abandon our dear little father. (C) Céline and Léonie resisted leaving their father but finally conceded and on
May 14th, they returned to Lisieux. To both Céline and Léonie it was a bittersweet departure, for they had to leave their father
behind but they would get to see their other sisters for whom they haven’t seen in months.
Uncle Isidore inherited a chateau called La Musse, located outside of Evreux, about 73 kilometers east from Lisieux. Once the
summer holidays started, they went with their uncle’s family for some much needed relaxation. When Mother Costard told Louis
that Céline and Léonie were at La Musse, he said: “Oh! How lovely! Tell them to stay there as long as their good uncle thinks
best. I do not want them to return to Caen on my account. I am well, very well here.” (FL)
Céline and Léonie went on several trips with the Guérins including the Exposition Universelle of 1889 (World’s Fair in Paris)
where they saw, for the first time, the now famous Tour Eiffel (Eiffel Tower). They climbed to the second Léoniefloor to see
the view of the very large city they had visited several times in the past. The family also made a return toured the other places
they had visited. It was an insight for Céline on the journey that was once taken and a closure for other of some of the bad
memories that were held in her heart.
By the end of the year on the 25th of December in 1889, the lease to Les Buissonnets home had expired. Céline, wanting a
memento from the place that gave her so much joy and so much sorrow, took ivy leaves instead of flowers. It was a bittersweet
parting with several tears to see their servants being sent to serve in other places; it was like a family once again being separated.
The furniture was dispersed to other members of the family and also to the Carmelite monastery where Marie, Pauline and
Thérèse were residing. Uncle Isidore took Céline and Léonie into his home along with their dog, Tom.
Uncle Isidore and aunt Céline welcomed their nieces into the family with open arms. It was a quick adjustment on both Céline
and Léonie. Celine, being of strong mind, was the only one in the family that could argue her point on several issues with her
uncle and get her way. It was for the most part a happy union between the two families.
Daily life for Céline at the Guérins home was filled with numerous tasks. She started her day off by attending Mass every
morning. After returning from church and eating breakfast, she devoted herself to her “religious themed” artwork. Working in
many different styles, she enlisted several people to pose for her paintings. After lunch, she devoted herself to serving to the
needs of the poor by using her skills at needlework. After every piece of clothing that she made, for a poor person, another one
would soon follow. Somehow, God would match her skills with those who were most in need. If it was not new clothing that
people needed, she also spent her time preparing children for their First Holy Communion. She taught the most difficult students
that many others had abandoned. Her remarkable patience of finding new ways to inspire and educate them left lasting
impressions on her students throughout their lives. Even ten years later, one of her students came to her and requested his
notebook back of all the sacrifices that he had made in preparation for his First Holy Communion.
Céline had a drive for learning new things. Her constant motivation to educate herself in different types of works made her a
very well rounded person. In her free time she delved into reading and researching several literary works which ranged from
science to religion. Photography also triggered her interest, most notably her photography skills would prove themselves ten
times over on behalf of the pictures she took of her sister, St. Thérèse. Later in life and even today, the images of a great saint
that she gave us are still cherished and in use today. She spent time memorizing poems and verses from the Bible that had a
deep meaning for her which gave her the emotional support when times became unbearable.
Understanding the meanings and lessons of the Old Testament was a welcomed challenge to her. She embraced it with
conquering odds. The books that peaked her interests the most was the Book of Wisdom (Wisdom of Solomon) which takes on
a more traditional and philosophical approach that your trust and fear in God provides a path for redemption. The Book of
Wisdom was a tool that Celine applied to the obstacles that she faced which gave her the reassurance that God was always with
her. “But the just shall live for evermore; and their reward is with the Lord, and the care of them with the most High. Therefore
shall they receive a kingdom of glory and crown of beauty at the hand of the Lord; for with his right hand he will cover them,
and with his holy arm he will defend them.” (Wisdom 5:16-17) The Book of Revelations (or Revelation of St. John) was another
one that peaked her interest. Obviously, one of the most controversial books of the Old Testament, even today the content
regarding the “Apocalyptic events” still has a wide range of interpretations of the actual meanings from the verses. Celine
compiled several notes of the verses from these books as a reference tool as well as quick guide for her to meditate on.
Céline sought the guidance of canonized saints for answers to her many questions through their writings. She studied the works
of St. John the Cross (known for his poetry and his studies on the growth of a soul and reformer of the Carmelite Order) and
St. Teresa of Avila (known as a writer of the Counter Reformation and a reformer of the Carmelite Order) Celine analyzed their
works to find out the secrets that were hidden in their message most importantly of denying oneself of the worldly pleasures of
life.
The loss of the immediate presence of Céline’s father was felt by her in more ways than one. His protection for his daughters
from worldly pleasures was no longer there. Living with the Guérins offered the opportunity for Céline’s soul to be tested more
than once. Even though there was no longer a question of marriage in her future there still were other temptations that were
associated with it when the Guérins held their parties. When Céline felt vulnerable to the temptations and could no longer fight
against them she would leave the party and retreat to her room. There she would hold on to the statue of Our Lady and pray for
her protection. Céline came to the conclusion that she would take a private vow of chastity on December 8, 1889.
Céline and her cousin Marie developed a close relationship while living together in the Guérin household. Marie suffered greatly
from her internal struggles against living the life of the pleasures of the world or abandoning it and giving her life solely to God.
Céline saw, in her cousin, the internal struggles that she was facing and offered to guide her through all of the doubts she had.
Céline advised her towards giving herself to God solely and persuaded her to receive Holy Communion more often as well as
perfecting her soul by abandoning all that the world had to offer. As with most parents they want to see each of their children
get married and have children, Céline’s uncle Isidore and aunt Celine were no different. The idea of giving up their second
daughter to the monastery was not what they had in mind. But Celine persisted in guiding her and eventually all of her work paid
off because five and half years later her cousin Marie joined Céline in the same Carmelite monastery.
Visiting the Carmelite monastery was a weekly ritual for Céline, not only was it a time for both her and Léonie to visit and speak
with their other sisters, it was also an opportunity for all of them to worship God together as when they were young. Thérèse
took every opportunity to enrich Céline’s soul to bring her closer to God. Thérèse’s soul was developing rapidly and as they
both thought a lot alike, she wanted Céline to be by her side even though they were not physically together. This was a
challenge for both of them when faced with crisis concerning their family but it became a welcomed opportunity for them both
to perfect their soul.
On September 8, 1890, was supposed to be a very blessed day for the Martin family. Thérèse was making her profession as a
Carmelite nun. However, there was one family member that was not going to be present for her sacred ceremony and that was
her father Louis. It was most devastating to Thérèse as well as Céline. Both of them agonized over the thought of his absence.
Prior to the ceremony, Thérèse asked Céline if she would take with her on her next visit to Caen a copy of her vows and have
her father bless them as well as the crown to which she was going to wear and place it on his head. It was very important for
them to include him in the ceremony even though physically he was not going to be there.
Having her father in Caen was a constant trial for Céline. It was difficult for her not to be able to take care of her father on her
own. Sometimes on their visits to Caen, Léonie would stay behind in Lisieux. Céline would make the weekly pilgrimage and stay
with her cousin Jeanne and her husband Francis. After her visits with her father, she would write her sisters a little note. As
Céline describes of her father’s condition in a letter to her sister Léonie dated November 12, 1890: “Oh! My dear Léonie, when
shall both of us be able to take care of our dearest father? I believe that we would use all our strength and all our love for that.
The very thought of it makes my heart beat with joy. The hardships of the task do not frighten me, and I am ready to undergo
them till death for him. Oh, let us pray very hard that Our Lord may grant our desires, and make the realization possible. But
meanwhile let us learn how to suffer and not lose the merit of so many annoyances.” (FL)
During the months of staying in Caen, Louis’ health continued to deteriorate, his legs have become so numb that it was difficult
for him to stand up at all. He was no longer able to walk as he once did. It was the most inopportune moment for Louis
physically but it was a welcomed opportunity for him to be reunited with his family. Céline’s prayers will finally be answered
and she would resume taking care of her father. It was discussed and debated amongst all the parties involved about bringing
him back home. Once it was decided and all the arrangements were made, it was time to bring their beloved father back into the
family realm. On May 10, 1892, Louis was brought back home. This was a joyous day of all days for both Céline and Léonie.
On May 12, 1892, Louis was given the gift of being able to visit his other daughters Marie, Pauline and Thérèse in the Carmelite
monastery. The entire Martin family was all together again. This would be Louis’ final visit to the monastery marking the last
time the entire family would ever be together. It was at first a joyous occasion to finally see their father but the reality of his bad
health really came to light when they witnessed for themselves how frail he really was emotionally and the tears started to flow.
Concluding their visit, he remarked to his daughters as he was about to leave, “In Heaven”. All of them, understanding that this
visit marked the end of their union together on earth.
Louis, Céline and Léonie stayed at their cousin Jeanne’s former home for a couple of days before moving into a house on rue
Labbey close to their uncle and aunt. Céline at this point did not care what the house looked like or what amenities there were,
only that she was able to take care of her father once more. Preparations were made for starting up another household. Servants
were introduced into the household to help assist Céline and Léonie in taking care of their father. Céline resumed the role of
taking care of the household whereby her uncle and aunt were always nearby if she ever needed their assistance. Céline stated:
“It was my joy to be able to take care of my beloved father myself…I never grew tired of embracing him; I showed him my
affection in a thousand different ways and did everything I could to please him.” (C)
Céline, foreseeing minor problems with one of the new servants, made a novena to St. Joseph for their conversion. After Céline
made her novena to St. Joseph, one of the servants came to Céline to confess to her, as she told Céline: “I am a miserable
wretch; for many years I have been separated from God, I have committed sacrileges, but I want to change. It is just now,
while looking at the picture of the Blessed Virgin that my heart melted like wax.” (C)
The picture of the Blessed Virgin that Céline painted for her father played an indelible role not only in the conversion of one of
the new servants but in Céline’s life as well. She looked upon the image for solace in the wake of her decision to tell her father
about her entering into the religious life. It was that sense of security of being in the presence of the Blessed Virgin that gave her
the courage to tell her father of her decision to give herself completely to God.
Isidore saw the dedication Céline had for her paintings. He in turn contacted Flandrin artist Krug. Céline took lessons from him
to enhance her skills in painting. As her father had once before tried to send her to an academy for art lessons, this situation was
more successful. Even after her entrance into the monastery, Krug would continue to visit her and advise her in her work.
The stressors of taking care of the household, witnessing the digression of her dying father and the unknown future she was to
have all weighted heavily down on Céline. What she knew and already learned was no longer enough to sustain her. God had
started the transition in her life and it was all out of her control. It was difficult for her to abandon what she wanted to see
happen and what God wanted for her to happen in her life. On December 16, 1892, when the anxiety of her situation
overwhelmed her to the point of tears, the vision of “Our Lady” appeared smiling before her.
Both Céline and Léonie were still afforded the opportunity to go on pilgrimages as well as stay at their uncle and aunt’s chateau
La Musse each summer. In the spring of 1893, while the servants were taking care of their father, both Céline and Léonie opted
to make a pilgrimage to Paray-le-Monial. It was a place where the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus had gained support
through the years from hearing about the story of St. Marguerite-Marie Alacoque (Margaret-Mary) who was a Visitandine nun
that saw visions of Jesus Christ. The visions revealed to her the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It was especially
important to Léonie because of her calling to the Visitandine Order. Céline was also attracted to the devotion of the Sacred Heart.
The pilgrimage and the introduction to the devotion of the Sacred Heart of Jesus helped strengthen Céline’s soul and inspired her
commitment to perfecting her soul.
It was not long after their pilgrimage to Paray-le-Monial that Léonie herself was set to leave on a retreat to the Visitation
monastery in Caen. On June 23, 1893, Léonie made her second attempt at the same monastery to enter into the religious life.
Once again, Céline was alone with her father. Even though Céline would have preferred Léonie to be at her side, it was blessing
to see her sister make another attempt to serve and devote herself to God and God alone.
At the end of June of the same year, Louis, Céline and the Guérins went to La Musse. It was the first time after Louis’s paralytic
condition that they were able to clear the obstacles for him to make the grueling trip. Céline and her cousin Marie would spend
time pushing his wheelchair around the grounds of the chateau. Louis especially loved to look down upon the woods encircling
the property and gaze at the sights below. It was refreshing for both Louis and Céline to travel through the woods and listen to
nature which was reminiscence of the memories they had when they lived in Alençon. She also took advantage of the time by
painting picturesque scenes of the surrounding landscape.
It was always a challenge for Céline when the Guérins entertained at their residence. There were many temptations that she
faced especially at their parties. She took time for herself prior to any social event to pray. People were attracted to her honesty
as well as her great kindness towards the needs of other people. She avoided hot button issues which would often offend or
separate others in their conversations. Anytime she was placed in a situation which was out of her control she would silently
pray and rub her crucifix seeking guidance. There was one situation where “divine intervention” played an active part. It was at
the wedding reception of one of her relatives, she was asked by a certain gentleman to dance, when the dance commenced, he
forgot all the steps. He immediately became embarrassed by the awkward situation and left the dance floor. She never saw him
again.
Even though Céline spent leisurely time with her relatives at the chateau, her devotion to God never left her. She still sought him
out in everything as he was preparing her soul for the life she was going to live at the monastery in the future. For in the
monastery, you surrender all of your material possessions. Her interest in material possessions started to lose its appeal. It
became more apparent for her after she immediately lost interest in a bracelet she had just bought as she stated: “What I would
have a chain fastened to my wrist! Am I then a slave?” (C) If she ever surrendered herself to an indulgence, guilt would soon
follow. God would place reminders in front of her to show her what was more important in life such as her seeing the poor
state of the local church they were attending when they stayed at the chateau or the unsightly state of the living conditions of the
poor.
Holy Communion and prayer on a daily basis was her “support” which sustained her throughout the day. Céline’s outlook on her
surroundings were reversing, God was working inside her soul. No more was success considered to be surrounded by stately
possessions but the need for simplicity around her was becoming a desire. Céline reflected on this by saying: “I thought back to
my childhood, when I used to visit my Thérèse at the home of her nurse, and we were ushered into the one and only room,
which served as the kitchen, bedroom, and parlor all at the same time. The floor was hard-packed earth…I reflected that truth
and freedom, and therefore happiness, dwelled under the old dark beams rather than under artistic ceilings, and I looked forward
to the happy moment when I would be transplanted to a poor cell.” (C)
Fr. Pichon, Céline’s spiritual advisor, kept in touch with her through letters as he had already established himself in Canada. He
had asked, since she had not committed herself to entering the monastery, that she join him in Canada to prepare the children
there for their First Holy Communion. He requested to her that she keep this a secret from her sisters so that they would not
influence her decision in joining him. It made it a very difficult sacrifice for her to keep it a secret from her sisters especially
Thérèse. But, as fate would have it, God needed her elsewhere.
Bibliography
Piat, Stéphanie Fr. The Story Of A Family: The Home of St. Thérèse of Lisieux. (SF)
Trans: Benedictine of Stanbrook Abbey. Rockford, Ill.: Tan Books and Publishers, Inc., 1948.
Martin, Celine. The Mother of the Little Flower Trans: Fr. Michael Collins, S.M.A. (ML)
Rockford, Ill.: Tan Books and Publishers, Inc. 1957
Martin, Celine. The Father of the Little Flower Trans: Fr. Michael Collins, S.M.A. (FL)
Rockford, Ill.: Tan Books and Publishers, Inc. 1955
Scallan, Dorthy. The Whole World Will Love Me, The Life of St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face (WW)
Edited by Fr. Emeric B. Scallan, S.T.B. Rockford, Ill. Tan Books and Publishers, Inc. 1954
---. CÉLINE: Sister Geneviève of the Holy Face. Trans: The Carmelite Sisters of the Eucharist of Colchester, Conn. San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 1997. (C)
Martin, Céline The Father of the Little Flower (Louis Martin) (FL)
trans: Fr. Michael Collins, S.M.A. Tan Books and Publishers, Inc. 1955
condition. Her sisters could tell that she was of seeing her father die.
Thérèse saw a remarkable change in her sisters when she saw her the next
time in the parlor. Thérèse wrote to Céline from the monastery to enlighten
her while she was enduring the pain of seeing her father suffer and to
reaffirm that God is with her. Thérèse wrote: “Céline, have no fear; He
is there, quite near. He is looking at us. It is He who asks of us this
suffering, these tears…He has need of them for the sake of souls,
for our soul, as He wants to give us so glorious a reward.” (DBT)
During this time of suffering, Céline had still grown in her artistic
talents. On June 16, 1888, it was offered to her by her father that
he would send her to the Academy to perfect her talents as an artist.
But instantly, she refused for fear that her path to a religious life might
be derailed by worldly temptations. Instead if it was in God’s interest
to make her into a great artist, it was going to be Him who would
perfect her skills. This was the perfect opportunity to express to her
father that she, too, wanted to be a religious. When Louis realized that
Céline was serious about entering into the religious life, he looked upon
it as God’s will for her and each of his daughters. So, after their conversation,
Louis and Céline went to the Blessed Sacrament to thank God for the grace that he had bestowed upon his family, all of his
daughters to become a religious. After hearing the news from his daughter, Louis started the process of trying to separate
himself from her emotionally. He didn’t want to be a burden to her, which he thought he would be, which would keep her by his
side at home. But as fate would have it, Céline stayed at his side till the very end.
On June 23, 1888, Céline started her usual routine of going to morning Mass and then taking care of the household and her
father. Little did she know that while she was taking care of the house, Louis had wandered off. Once Céline realized that her
father was missing, she became very frantic. She immediately went to her uncle Isidore to get his help in finding her father.
Isidore and Céline looked everywhere around Lisieux to find him. She also went to the monastery to let her sisters know that he
was missing. Her sisters prayed for his return and the prioress of the monastery, Mother Geneviève, foretold to them that he
would return. It was three days of grief for Céline until they received a telegram from Louis asking them for money. It was a
surprise to find out that he had wandered all the way to a town called La Havre, about 62 Kilometers away. Once Céline found
out where he was, Isidore joined her and they both went to La Havre to track him down. After hours of waiting for him to
appear, he finally arrived and they took him home.
During the time of Louis’s disappearance, a fire broke out in the early morning hours to the adjoining house. Without knowing of
the destruction occurring next door, Léonie was still in the house. Once alarmed of the situation, she fled to safety. Later, Louis
would buy the property where the destroyed house once stood.
Louis had received a brass crucifix from his daughter Marie before she entered the monastery, to which he kept it in his
bedroom. Céline had much admiration for this crucifix and asked her father if she could have it. With much hesitation he resisted
giving it to her until one day in September of 1888, during Mass; he whispered to her “I give you my crucifix” and then handed
it to her.
It was Thérèse’s desire to have Céline join her in the monastery as soon as possible but with the current situation with her father’
s health it was unrealistic for Céline to make an attempt to even enter. With Thérèse’s soul elevating to new heights in her
relationship with God, she, too, desired that Céline’s soul elevate with hers as well. Céline’s prayer life had become, for the
most part, lifeless; dealing with her father’s failing health and the past opportunity for marriage left for the most part aridity in
her soul. Even though Thérèse was not with Céline in person she was with her always in spirit. Ultimately, she became Céline’s
mentor through visits to the monastery and letters she wrote to her. Thérèse encouraged her to take in part the “Joys of perfect
immolation”. For Céline, it was to practice many virtues and to take every opportunity, no matter how small the virtue was, to
please Jesus. Therese encouraged her to start out by making small gestures towards individuals that surrounded her by either
saying something nice to them or just giving them a smile. However, if Céline did not find any opportunity to practice these small
gestures towards any individuals at least tell Jesus how much you love him. Telling Jesus how much you love him as many
times throughout the day as you can, will strengthen the bond between you and him.
On January 10, 1889, was Thérèse’s clothing day. It was the last time the entire family would be joined together for a
celebration of this magnitude. As Céline described, it was both Louis’s and Thérèse’s day. Louis escorting Thérèse, his little
queen, to the altar in a beautiful white gown, the inseparable duel during her childhood, is given away by him to Jesus.
Weeks later, after Louis started to have more violent strokes, Céline had the daunting task of notifying her sisters that the
decision was made to have Louis sent to Bon Sauveur Home (Holy Savior) in Caen, about 64 kilometer west of Lisieux. Céline
wrote: “Beloved sisters, I am calling to mind these words of the Imitation: I will give infinite glory for a single short-lived
humiliation…Oh! Humiliations! They are our daily bread, but if only you knew what I see hidden in them...To me, it is a mystery
of love. Oh my little sisters do not be grieved, I pray you. I feel that our Lord is so very pleased when we have unlimited
confidence in him, finding all that he does good…No, I am not going to ask God to relieve me of the humiliations,
misunderstandings, heartaches, anxieties, bitterness…But I do beg God to take all that away from our dear father. He can grant
us this grace, and I am sure that he will.” (C)
On February 12, 1889, the time had come to take Louis to Bon Sauveur Home. It was for Céline and Léonie a crushing blow to
have to escort their father and place him in a psychiatric institution. There weren’t enough tears to shed that day to change the
course of events. Louis didn’t know he was going until he entered the building. Upon entering, he accepted it with great humility
and grace. A week later, on February 19th, Céline and Léonie returned to Caen and stayed with the Sisters of St. Vincent de Paul
to be nearer to their father. The rules only allowed for them to see their father once a week. So each day they would
communicate with Mother Costard who took a special interest in their father. Louis believed that his stay at Bon Sauveur was a
trial, for he was always the one who took the lead, now he must be the one to follow and obey. It strengthened Louis’s spirit to
know that Céline and Léonie were nearby and that they inquired each day, every letter they sent him gave him hope.
When Céline experienced the separation and the witnessing of the deterioration of her father’s health, she could see it in her
father’s eyes that he was in the last years of his life. It was the same feelings when her mother was in her last days here on
earth. Céline wrote a letter describing her feelings on this: “The longer I live the more I see exile on all sides. The world seems
like a dream to me, immense confusion…The more I travel, and the more I see of things, the more detached I am from this
earth, because, at each instant, the more I observe the nothingness of what passes away. I am in a real cell; nothing pleases me
more than this poverty. I would not exchange it for the most brilliant drawing room in the world. Suffering accepted in this
manner is an uphill climb. In this rough apprenticeship, the soul is refined and purified. (C) At this time her only real solace was
praying in the chapel, it was for her a safe haven from all the dramas that were taking place in her life.
Céline and Léonie went to see Mother Costard on May 8, 1889; she suggested to them that they return to Lisieux. Mother
Costard promised both of them that she would contact them if there were any changes in his condition. The helplessness and the
guilt of not being able to take care of their father directly were taking a toll on their health. Their uncle Isidore and their sisters
also suggested to them to return to Lisieux. Céline writes: “I feel more and more that my duty is to remain here; yes, it is better
to suffer and not to abandon our dear little father. (C) Céline and Léonie resisted leaving their father but finally conceded and on
May 14th, they returned to Lisieux. To both Céline and Léonie it was a bittersweet departure, for they had to leave their father
behind but they would get to see their other sisters for whom they haven’t seen in months.
Uncle Isidore inherited a chateau called La Musse, located outside of Evreux, about 73 kilometers east from Lisieux. Once the
summer holidays started, they went with their uncle’s family for some much needed relaxation. When Mother Costard told Louis
that Céline and Léonie were at La Musse, he said: “Oh! How lovely! Tell them to stay there as long as their good uncle thinks
best. I do not want them to return to Caen on my account. I am well, very well here.” (FL)
Céline and Léonie went on several trips with the Guérins including the Exposition Universelle of 1889 (World’s Fair in Paris)
where they saw, for the first time, the now famous Tour Eiffel (Eiffel Tower). They climbed to the second Léoniefloor to see
the view of the very large city they had visited several times in the past. The family also made a return toured the other places
they had visited. It was an insight for Céline on the journey that was once taken and a closure for other of some of the bad
memories that were held in her heart.
By the end of the year on the 25th of December in 1889, the lease to Les Buissonnets home had expired. Céline, wanting a
memento from the place that gave her so much joy and so much sorrow, took ivy leaves instead of flowers. It was a bittersweet
parting with several tears to see their servants being sent to serve in other places; it was like a family once again being separated.
The furniture was dispersed to other members of the family and also to the Carmelite monastery where Marie, Pauline and
Thérèse were residing. Uncle Isidore took Céline and Léonie into his home along with their dog, Tom.
Uncle Isidore and aunt Céline welcomed their nieces into the family with open arms. It was a quick adjustment on both Céline
and Léonie. Celine, being of strong mind, was the only one in the family that could argue her point on several issues with her
uncle and get her way. It was for the most part a happy union between the two families.
Daily life for Céline at the Guérins home was filled with numerous tasks. She started her day off by attending Mass every
morning. After returning from church and eating breakfast, she devoted herself to her “religious themed” artwork. Working in
many different styles, she enlisted several people to pose for her paintings. After lunch, she devoted herself to serving to the
needs of the poor by using her skills at needlework. After every piece of clothing that she made, for a poor person, another one
would soon follow. Somehow, God would match her skills with those who were most in need. If it was not new clothing that
people needed, she also spent her time preparing children for their First Holy Communion. She taught the most difficult students
that many others had abandoned. Her remarkable patience of finding new ways to inspire and educate them left lasting
impressions on her students throughout their lives. Even ten years later, one of her students came to her and requested his
notebook back of all the sacrifices that he had made in preparation for his First Holy Communion.
Céline had a drive for learning new things. Her constant motivation to educate herself in different types of works made her a
very well rounded person. In her free time she delved into reading and researching several literary works which ranged from
science to religion. Photography also triggered her interest, most notably her photography skills would prove themselves ten
times over on behalf of the pictures she took of her sister, St. Thérèse. Later in life and even today, the images of a great saint
that she gave us are still cherished and in use today. She spent time memorizing poems and verses from the Bible that had a
deep meaning for her which gave her the emotional support when times became unbearable.
Understanding the meanings and lessons of the Old Testament was a welcomed challenge to her. She embraced it with
conquering odds. The books that peaked her interests the most was the Book of Wisdom (Wisdom of Solomon) which takes on
a more traditional and philosophical approach that your trust and fear in God provides a path for redemption. The Book of
Wisdom was a tool that Celine applied to the obstacles that she faced which gave her the reassurance that God was always with
her. “But the just shall live for evermore; and their reward is with the Lord, and the care of them with the most High. Therefore
shall they receive a kingdom of glory and crown of beauty at the hand of the Lord; for with his right hand he will cover them,
and with his holy arm he will defend them.” (Wisdom 5:16-17) The Book of Revelations (or Revelation of St. John) was another
one that peaked her interest. Obviously, one of the most controversial books of the Old Testament, even today the content
regarding the “Apocalyptic events” still has a wide range of interpretations of the actual meanings from the verses. Celine
compiled several notes of the verses from these books as a reference tool as well as quick guide for her to meditate on.
Céline sought the guidance of canonized saints for answers to her many questions through their writings. She studied the works
of St. John the Cross (known for his poetry and his studies on the growth of a soul and reformer of the Carmelite Order) and
St. Teresa of Avila (known as a writer of the Counter Reformation and a reformer of the Carmelite Order) Celine analyzed their
works to find out the secrets that were hidden in their message most importantly of denying oneself of the worldly pleasures of
life.
The loss of the immediate presence of Céline’s father was felt by her in more ways than one. His protection for his daughters
from worldly pleasures was no longer there. Living with the Guérins offered the opportunity for Céline’s soul to be tested more
than once. Even though there was no longer a question of marriage in her future there still were other temptations that were
associated with it when the Guérins held their parties. When Céline felt vulnerable to the temptations and could no longer fight
against them she would leave the party and retreat to her room. There she would hold on to the statue of Our Lady and pray for
her protection. Céline came to the conclusion that she would take a private vow of chastity on December 8, 1889.
Céline and her cousin Marie developed a close relationship while living together in the Guérin household. Marie suffered greatly
from her internal struggles against living the life of the pleasures of the world or abandoning it and giving her life solely to God.
Céline saw, in her cousin, the internal struggles that she was facing and offered to guide her through all of the doubts she had.
Céline advised her towards giving herself to God solely and persuaded her to receive Holy Communion more often as well as
perfecting her soul by abandoning all that the world had to offer. As with most parents they want to see each of their children
get married and have children, Céline’s uncle Isidore and aunt Celine were no different. The idea of giving up their second
daughter to the monastery was not what they had in mind. But Celine persisted in guiding her and eventually all of her work paid
off because five and half years later her cousin Marie joined Céline in the same Carmelite monastery.
Visiting the Carmelite monastery was a weekly ritual for Céline, not only was it a time for both her and Léonie to visit and speak
with their other sisters, it was also an opportunity for all of them to worship God together as when they were young. Thérèse
took every opportunity to enrich Céline’s soul to bring her closer to God. Thérèse’s soul was developing rapidly and as they
both thought a lot alike, she wanted Céline to be by her side even though they were not physically together. This was a
challenge for both of them when faced with crisis concerning their family but it became a welcomed opportunity for them both
to perfect their soul.
On September 8, 1890, was supposed to be a very blessed day for the Martin family. Thérèse was making her profession as a
Carmelite nun. However, there was one family member that was not going to be present for her sacred ceremony and that was
her father Louis. It was most devastating to Thérèse as well as Céline. Both of them agonized over the thought of his absence.
Prior to the ceremony, Thérèse asked Céline if she would take with her on her next visit to Caen a copy of her vows and have
her father bless them as well as the crown to which she was going to wear and place it on his head. It was very important for
them to include him in the ceremony even though physically he was not going to be there.
Having her father in Caen was a constant trial for Céline. It was difficult for her not to be able to take care of her father on her
own. Sometimes on their visits to Caen, Léonie would stay behind in Lisieux. Céline would make the weekly pilgrimage and stay
with her cousin Jeanne and her husband Francis. After her visits with her father, she would write her sisters a little note. As
Céline describes of her father’s condition in a letter to her sister Léonie dated November 12, 1890: “Oh! My dear Léonie, when
shall both of us be able to take care of our dearest father? I believe that we would use all our strength and all our love for that.
The very thought of it makes my heart beat with joy. The hardships of the task do not frighten me, and I am ready to undergo
them till death for him. Oh, let us pray very hard that Our Lord may grant our desires, and make the realization possible. But
meanwhile let us learn how to suffer and not lose the merit of so many annoyances.” (FL)
During the months of staying in Caen, Louis’ health continued to deteriorate, his legs have become so numb that it was difficult
for him to stand up at all. He was no longer able to walk as he once did. It was the most inopportune moment for Louis
physically but it was a welcomed opportunity for him to be reunited with his family. Céline’s prayers will finally be answered
and she would resume taking care of her father. It was discussed and debated amongst all the parties involved about bringing
him back home. Once it was decided and all the arrangements were made, it was time to bring their beloved father back into the
family realm. On May 10, 1892, Louis was brought back home. This was a joyous day of all days for both Céline and Léonie.
On May 12, 1892, Louis was given the gift of being able to visit his other daughters Marie, Pauline and Thérèse in the Carmelite
monastery. The entire Martin family was all together again. This would be Louis’ final visit to the monastery marking the last
time the entire family would ever be together. It was at first a joyous occasion to finally see their father but the reality of his bad
health really came to light when they witnessed for themselves how frail he really was emotionally and the tears started to flow.
Concluding their visit, he remarked to his daughters as he was about to leave, “In Heaven”. All of them, understanding that this
visit marked the end of their union together on earth.
Louis, Céline and Léonie stayed at their cousin Jeanne’s former home for a couple of days before moving into a house on rue
Labbey close to their uncle and aunt. Céline at this point did not care what the house looked like or what amenities there were,
only that she was able to take care of her father once more. Preparations were made for starting up another household. Servants
were introduced into the household to help assist Céline and Léonie in taking care of their father. Céline resumed the role of
taking care of the household whereby her uncle and aunt were always nearby if she ever needed their assistance. Céline stated:
“It was my joy to be able to take care of my beloved father myself…I never grew tired of embracing him; I showed him my
affection in a thousand different ways and did everything I could to please him.” (C)
Céline, foreseeing minor problems with one of the new servants, made a novena to St. Joseph for their conversion. After Céline
made her novena to St. Joseph, one of the servants came to Céline to confess to her, as she told Céline: “I am a miserable
wretch; for many years I have been separated from God, I have committed sacrileges, but I want to change. It is just now,
while looking at the picture of the Blessed Virgin that my heart melted like wax.” (C)
The picture of the Blessed Virgin that Céline painted for her father played an indelible role not only in the conversion of one of
the new servants but in Céline’s life as well. She looked upon the image for solace in the wake of her decision to tell her father
about her entering into the religious life. It was that sense of security of being in the presence of the Blessed Virgin that gave her
the courage to tell her father of her decision to give herself completely to God.
Isidore saw the dedication Céline had for her paintings. He in turn contacted Flandrin artist Krug. Céline took lessons from him
to enhance her skills in painting. As her father had once before tried to send her to an academy for art lessons, this situation was
more successful. Even after her entrance into the monastery, Krug would continue to visit her and advise her in her work.
The stressors of taking care of the household, witnessing the digression of her dying father and the unknown future she was to
have all weighted heavily down on Céline. What she knew and already learned was no longer enough to sustain her. God had
started the transition in her life and it was all out of her control. It was difficult for her to abandon what she wanted to see
happen and what God wanted for her to happen in her life. On December 16, 1892, when the anxiety of her situation
overwhelmed her to the point of tears, the vision of “Our Lady” appeared smiling before her.
Both Céline and Léonie were still afforded the opportunity to go on pilgrimages as well as stay at their uncle and aunt’s chateau
La Musse each summer. In the spring of 1893, while the servants were taking care of their father, both Céline and Léonie opted
to make a pilgrimage to Paray-le-Monial. It was a place where the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus had gained support
through the years from hearing about the story of St. Marguerite-Marie Alacoque (Margaret-Mary) who was a Visitandine nun
that saw visions of Jesus Christ. The visions revealed to her the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It was especially
important to Léonie because of her calling to the Visitandine Order. Céline was also attracted to the devotion of the Sacred Heart.
The pilgrimage and the introduction to the devotion of the Sacred Heart of Jesus helped strengthen Céline’s soul and inspired her
commitment to perfecting her soul.
It was not long after their pilgrimage to Paray-le-Monial that Léonie herself was set to leave on a retreat to the Visitation
monastery in Caen. On June 23, 1893, Léonie made her second attempt at the same monastery to enter into the religious life.
Once again, Céline was alone with her father. Even though Céline would have preferred Léonie to be at her side, it was blessing
to see her sister make another attempt to serve and devote herself to God and God alone.
At the end of June of the same year, Louis, Céline and the Guérins went to La Musse. It was the first time after Louis’s paralytic
condition that they were able to clear the obstacles for him to make the grueling trip. Céline and her cousin Marie would spend
time pushing his wheelchair around the grounds of the chateau. Louis especially loved to look down upon the woods encircling
the property and gaze at the sights below. It was refreshing for both Louis and Céline to travel through the woods and listen to
nature which was reminiscence of the memories they had when they lived in Alençon. She also took advantage of the time by
painting picturesque scenes of the surrounding landscape.
It was always a challenge for Céline when the Guérins entertained at their residence. There were many temptations that she
faced especially at their parties. She took time for herself prior to any social event to pray. People were attracted to her honesty
as well as her great kindness towards the needs of other people. She avoided hot button issues which would often offend or
separate others in their conversations. Anytime she was placed in a situation which was out of her control she would silently
pray and rub her crucifix seeking guidance. There was one situation where “divine intervention” played an active part. It was at
the wedding reception of one of her relatives, she was asked by a certain gentleman to dance, when the dance commenced, he
forgot all the steps. He immediately became embarrassed by the awkward situation and left the dance floor. She never saw him
again.
Even though Céline spent leisurely time with her relatives at the chateau, her devotion to God never left her. She still sought him
out in everything as he was preparing her soul for the life she was going to live at the monastery in the future. For in the
monastery, you surrender all of your material possessions. Her interest in material possessions started to lose its appeal. It
became more apparent for her after she immediately lost interest in a bracelet she had just bought as she stated: “What I would
have a chain fastened to my wrist! Am I then a slave?” (C) If she ever surrendered herself to an indulgence, guilt would soon
follow. God would place reminders in front of her to show her what was more important in life such as her seeing the poor
state of the local church they were attending when they stayed at the chateau or the unsightly state of the living conditions of the
poor.
Holy Communion and prayer on a daily basis was her “support” which sustained her throughout the day. Céline’s outlook on her
surroundings were reversing, God was working inside her soul. No more was success considered to be surrounded by stately
possessions but the need for simplicity around her was becoming a desire. Céline reflected on this by saying: “I thought back to
my childhood, when I used to visit my Thérèse at the home of her nurse, and we were ushered into the one and only room,
which served as the kitchen, bedroom, and parlor all at the same time. The floor was hard-packed earth…I reflected that truth
and freedom, and therefore happiness, dwelled under the old dark beams rather than under artistic ceilings, and I looked forward
to the happy moment when I would be transplanted to a poor cell.” (C)
Fr. Pichon, Céline’s spiritual advisor, kept in touch with her through letters as he had already established himself in Canada. He
had asked, since she had not committed herself to entering the monastery, that she join him in Canada to prepare the children
there for their First Holy Communion. He requested to her that she keep this a secret from her sisters so that they would not
influence her decision in joining him. It made it a very difficult sacrifice for her to keep it a secret from her sisters especially
Thérèse. But, as fate would have it, God needed her elsewhere.
Bibliography
Piat, Stéphanie Fr. The Story Of A Family: The Home of St. Thérèse of Lisieux. (SF)
Trans: Benedictine of Stanbrook Abbey. Rockford, Ill.: Tan Books and Publishers, Inc., 1948.
Martin, Celine. The Mother of the Little Flower Trans: Fr. Michael Collins, S.M.A. (ML)
Rockford, Ill.: Tan Books and Publishers, Inc. 1957
Martin, Celine. The Father of the Little Flower Trans: Fr. Michael Collins, S.M.A. (FL)
Rockford, Ill.: Tan Books and Publishers, Inc. 1955
Scallan, Dorthy. The Whole World Will Love Me, The Life of St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face (WW)
Edited by Fr. Emeric B. Scallan, S.T.B. Rockford, Ill. Tan Books and Publishers, Inc. 1954
---. CÉLINE: Sister Geneviève of the Holy Face. Trans: The Carmelite Sisters of the Eucharist of Colchester, Conn. San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 1997. (C)
Martin, Céline The Father of the Little Flower (Louis Martin) (FL)
trans: Fr. Michael Collins, S.M.A. Tan Books and Publishers, Inc. 1955
Written by: R. Hann
| Page III |
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| "Touching someone's heart in just a little way makes the day go by much brighter" |
| Our Lady of the Smile |
| Sister Genevieve of the Holy Face Marie Celine Martin "Beloved Holy Face" |
April 28, 1869-February 25, 1959
