Fast Track



Sr. Marie of the Sacred Heart
(Marie Louise Martin)
sr. mariae a sacratissimo corde iesu
"divine diamond of hope"
1860 - 1940


biography



Marie Louise Martin was born in Alencon, France on February 22, 1860. Marie was the first-born child of nine children of Louis and Zelie Martin. Marie was baptized by Father Lebouc at the Cathedral of Saint Pierre-de-Monsort on February 23, 1860. Her godfather for her baptismal was her grandfather Isidore Guerin Sr. and her godmother was her aunt Marie Louise "Elise" Guerin.


She had a strong and fearless spirit, but her mother always saw the other side of her extraordinarily tender heart. (SR)


Marie's temperament was straightforward and frank. (M) Her family's nickname for her was "The Gyspy", however, later in life, her father would also nickname her his "Beloved Diamond". Each morning Zelie would make it a habit to rise early to attend morning Mass. Before participating in Mass, she would light a candle and pray reverently before the statue of Our Lady. Humble at heart, Zelie petitioned Our Lady for the children that she and her husband were given by God, that one day they would become saints. She would also ask Our Lady for her children to be more reverence towards God than she was.



Sadly, four of the Martin children would never make it to adulthood. Zelie gave birth to her fourth child on October 13, 1864, Marie Helene who passed away on February 22, 1870, at the age of five. Louis and Zelie were given the blessing of receiving another child, on September 20, 1866, with the birth of their son, Joseph Louis Martin. It was with great sadness that he too past away a year later on February 14, 1867, On December 19, 1867 the birth of their second son, Joseph Jean Baptiste was born. However, he too was taken away from them on August 25, 1868. The life of Louis's and Zelie's sixth daughter, Marie Melanie Therese was very short from August 16, 1870 to October 8, 1870. Later, Zelie would remark: "Four of my children are already in their eternal home, and the others, yes, the others, will also go to that heavenly kingdom, laden with more merits, for they have been longer in the fight." (DBT)


Marie's education started at home first where she was taught by her mother. Once Marie reached 8 years old was when her parents spent on her education. She wrote letters expressing her gratitude for what her parents gave up financially so that she would have a good education. Marie learned early the value of what her parents spent on her education. She wrote letters expressing her gratitude for what her parents gave up financially so that she would have a good education briefly at the Providence of Alencon. She diligently tried hard at every subject she was given to show her parents the benefit of giving her this opportunity.



As Marie stated in a letter on January 1, 1868: "How your little girl is happy to be able to, at the beginning of this new year, to express the gratitude for the countless blessings you never stop giving me surrounding my childhood. Oh, yes, dear father and mother, your beloved child feels deeply all that she owes you, how I also thank you and how fervently she prays to God..." (LOM1).
In October 1868, Marie entered the Visitation boarding school in Le Mans, France. Her beloved aunt, Sister Marie-Dosithee, was a nun who taught at the boarding school. Marie's aunt would give Marie spiritual and moral guidance over her life while Marie was a student. While attending the boarding school, Marie's aunt Sister Marie-Dosithee gave both her and Pauline a pearl to practice their virtues. Marie was instructed by her aunt to tell her parents the truth about not doing so well in some of her subjects that she was learning. But with strong conviction, Marie stated: "I was told that I was making progress but I know how to analysis verbs and I will tell you also that I am the second for spelling and I was very close to being the second for writing but I am in 4th place because I turn my letters too but I will try to be the first when I do my next composition." (LOM3)
A year later in a letter to her parents in January of 1869, Marie shares her dedication to her parents about learning her lessons: "I got one for my grammar lesson and that I know my Bible lessons really well and I have no marks and I hope to be a child of Jesus. I am doing everything I can to get there and the please you...I pray to the baby Jesus every night to give me the grace to be a child of Jesus." (LOM 5)
Due to the severe illness of her beloved aunt, Marie's First Holy Communion was moved up one year. Marie constantly prayed to St. Joseph to intercede for her aunt's cure and was not willing to accept her death as God's Will. Instead, she wanted to try and change it. (M) On July 2, 1869, Marie's prayers were answered and Sister Marie-Dosithee was there to witness her First Holy Communion. Her aunt lived 7 more years. It was one of the happiest days of Marie's life for she was now in union with Jesus Christ. When this glorious day was over, she started to weep that it had all ended so soon. Marie's mother remarked in a letter to Sister Marie-Dosithee: "Marie appears to be reserved and shy underneath her shyness is a heart of gold." (SR) In 1869, Marie received confirmation and chose the name of Josephine in gratitude to St. Joseph for his intercession in healing her aunt. (M) Marie and her sister Pauline sang in the Church and her family always remarked about the beauty of their voices. (SF)
When Marie received the sad news in a letter that her sister Melanie died on October 8, 1870, she could not stop crying. It was a very sad day for her and she immediately wrote her mother to try and comfort her for their great loss.


On July 19, 1870, The Franco-Prussian War began. France declared war on Prussia and the lower German states then aligned themselves with the North German Federation. The French military would soon realize that the German army was far more superior in combat than their French adversaries. As each battle ensued, French towns in the northern part of France started to fall, leaving behind massive amounts of wounded and dead. Once the Germans had advanced onto Le Mans in the latter part of December of 1870, parents from all over the area rushed to retrieve their children from the Visitation boarding school Louis and Zelie were no exception. Marie's mother sought out several options to retrieve their children but the only option was for them to travel the lengthy road to Le Mans. It was impossible to go by train because the French army was using it for the war effort. Louis set off along the dangerous roads to Le Mans to retrieve his daughters. As Marie describes in a letter to her uncle Isidore and to her aunt Celine: "Mom told me that since the railways had stopped running we would come back to Alencon by carriage...My dear uncle, mom told me that you are not going to war. I am glad and I pray to the good God that Dad does not leave either." (LOM6)
Louis safely brought his daughters back home amongst seeing for themselves the spoils of war. Sadly, Le Mans fell on January 11, 1871. The Germans in turn used the boarding school to house the wounded, which in some cases, the wounded soldiers transmitted deadly communicable diseases to the local townspeople. After the fall of Le Mans, the city of Alencon would be no exception. It too fell. As the Germanarmy advanced onto Alencon, Zelie led all of the children into the root cellar as the bombs started to land nearby. Once the smoke cleared and the town officially surrendered, the Germans then forced each French family to house a number of German soldiers. The Martin family housed nine German soldiers on the bottom floor of their house during their occupation, which then lasted until May 10, 1871. After the occupation, both Pauline and Marie returned to the Visitation boarding school in Le Mans.





It pained Marie from being separated from her parents for such a long time. She held so much reverence towards them, that being without them became at times unbearable. But as conflicting as it may be, she did not want to leave the Visitation boarding school either because she would rarely see her aunt. As she states in her letter to her parents on January 21, 1872: "I will tell you that I am no longer sad now because I try not to think too much about Alencon, because the thought of being away from you makes me sad, though it also hurts me to leave the Visitation because I would never get to see my aunt, but if she was not a religious and could come to stay with us I would be very happy...It is true that I must do my education and I know that the Visitation is one of the best but its hard being so far from you both." (LOM7)
On January 4, 1873, when her youngest sister Therese was baptized, Marie became her godmother. Later this same year, Marie contracted typhoid fever and was sent home from the Visitation boarding school as a result. She suffered a long illness with many relapses yet soon recovered. Her parents kept a vigil over her while she was suffering from this illness. On May 5, 1873, after two or three weeks of Marie's continued suffering, her father made an eighteen-mile pilgrimage on foot to Church. Her father prayed and fasted for Marie's cure in a valiant effort to save her life. During this time of Marie's illness, her mother said: "You would one day take care of your younger sisters and the house after I die." (SR) In late May of 1873, Marie's symptoms to her illness had subsided temporarily and she thought she was finally healed but it would take a few more months where she was completely healed. She took the time in May to write to her sister Pauline, who was still at the Visitation boarding school. Marie wrote: "I am happy to write to you a little letter today because I went to the eight o'clock Mass. I would have wanted to go to the Pavilion but our mother thought it was too far, and I did not go. I am eagerly waiting for your vacation because I am delighted to see you if you only knew! We will also have lots of fun because we will be going by carriage to see the wet nurse taking care of Therese we shall gather large daisies and cornflowers as it will be fun for my little Pauline!" (LOM9)
In October 1874, this was the start of the last semester that Marie had at the Visitation boarding school before she graduated. Marie knew that she would miss her time at school because of the fond memories she had while being there especially with her aunt Sister Marie-Dosithee. Marie expressed her feelings in a letter to her uncle Isidore and aunt Celine on December 25, 1874: "Yet, I hardly dare desire this semester, as it will also see the end of my life as a boarder and it will not without sorrow that I leave my aunt and the Visitation where I am as committed now. Finally we have to finish everything and avoid having to later regret the time I have spent in the convent well I'll try to use whatever I have left." (LOM11)
On August 2, 1875, Marie completed her studies. She made the Honor List several times and was awarded six first place prizes such as the "Cross of Excellence" during her years at the Visitation boarding school. Marie reflected upon her experience at this school: "Oh If I had not had my aunt, whom I did not want to hurt, I should have never had remained seven years behind those grilles." (SR)
When Marie returned home for good, her mother wrote to Sister Marie-Dosithee: "Marie is now grown up her character is of a very serious cast and she has none of the illusions of youth. I am sure that when I am no longer here she will make a good mistress of the home, and do her utmost to bring up her little sisters and set a good example." (SF) "After completing her studies Marie would return periodically for spiritual retreats at the school." (LM)



Marie knew when she left the Visitation boarding school that one of her roles would be to educate her little sisters. Celine was the first in line to receive this benefit before she entered school herself. The relationship between Celine and Therese was very close, they were great companions, and what one wanted to do the other followed. Education was no exception and Marie described in a letter about Therese's eagerness to learn after seeing Celine being taught by her: "The time will advance that I will have to take care of Celine, for it is I who am responsible for educating. She is still too young and too delicate to go to school, and I assure you I am happy and very proud of my mission. She knows how to read and write fairly. Now she learns a little catechism and Bible history, it amuses me to show her a lot it's a real distraction for me when it is not bad. But too often, Therese by her presence disturbs our serious studies. She enters, quietly, in my room to give pleasure to overthrow my ink or my feather, seized the books that come to hand, and then runs away like a little thief. When she returns, it is to tease her sister by repeating a small mocking voice every word that poor Celine learns with so much pain. Finally, she is a pretty pixie, our baby. This comical little Therese is nice, malignant, and cute all at once." (LOM12)
Marie's mother Zelie brought up the subject of marriage to her and it upset her greatly. Marie remarked to her mother that: "She would never marry, and begged her mother not bring up the subject of marriage again." (M) One of the most special events during the holidays was Christmas. Each year, their shoes would be aligned against the fireplace where on Christmas day the girls would find special treats left for them. On December 25, 1875, Marie watched Celine and Therese come down and search for their presents hidden in their shoes. They saw many treats in the shoes but when Therese spotted the doll all of the treats became secondary. As Marie described the ritual: "On Christmas morning, still asleep, they came down in night gowns, not caring about anything but running like two little crazies through the house looking for their little shoes. They finally ended up finding them all lined up in front of the fireplace. There were at least half a dozen, slippers, boots, rubbers, it was all full of bags of candy, small sugar cubes, and little Jesus cookies! But what seemed the funniest was seeing the beautiful dolls out of these boots and patiently awaiting the arrival of their mothers. This is also what was the funniest, was when Therese saw the famous doll she threw everything aside to fly to it. Unfortunately, her feelings of happiness did not last and after knowing her lovely daughter, she starts to move away. Two days later, annoyed to see that her doll was not working fast enough, she broke the tips of both feet, one arm is already removed and soon, I think it will be over for this poor doll. But I am wrong, when it is completely dead it will be her burial, and really, the funeral of a doll, now that's funny. Therese has already gone through more than one experience with having a funeral for her dolls." (LOM13)



In the latter part of 1875, Therese showed an interest in learning to Marie. So without any thought to Therese understanding what Marie asked her to do in regards to learning the alphabet, Marie choose random words for her to learn. The next day, Marie had her read to her and to her amazement Therese read each word correctly without any mistakes. Marie said: "I think in six months, she will read fluently, because she has an extremely precocious intelligence." (LOM14) In the summer of 1876, Marie made a retreat to the Visitation boarding school where she was once taught. She describes in a letter to her aunt Celine her enthusiasm of the experience she had during her retreat: "The solitary retreat that I want to talk about is the Visitation. Oh! It is a charming retreat that which I found made me so happy that I almost wanted to stay there. The retreat was so enjoyable, I would gladly do one every month if possible I am really not one of those people who see everything in black inside a convent I see it all in pink. But do I not let you think I want to be a religious, because it is not at all my intention. To be locked forever in a cloister it must be a little sad, but to be locked for a few days it makes me totally happy. The good nuns took very good care of us! They lent us their cells so that we could do a better retreat, because you have to be alone for a good retreat. This is not what I liked best sometimes I did not know what to do in my cell. Always thinking of the good God, death and judgment, it's a bit serious...But I was annoyed when I said goodbye to my loneliness and I walked the cloisters by reading the sentences that are written on the walls of the monastery. And then I returned to my cell. My aunt visited me quite often during short visits that were allowed. I was happy to see my good aunt, I love her more than ever, as I have wept on leaving, it seemed to me that I never would see her again, she is so unwell. Finally I hope that God will leave us some time and I'll see her next year during my next retreat." (LOM15) While on retreat, Marie met a Jesuit priest who gave them instructions. She like him very much, "he looks like a saint, and he is of course, also I really like the Jesuits since I know them here. All the former students have been seeking direction there are some who found it a bit harsh, I found it myself totally to my ideal." (LOM 15)
Our Lady played an important part in the Martin family home. They prayed to God for her to intercede on His behalf countless times. They honored her religiously in their home. As Marie describes in May 1877: "For me I find it rather resembles a chapel (the room they set aside for Mary). My month of Mary is so pretty that it competes with that of Notre Dame. This is quite a business of arranging the month of Mary at home, mom is too difficult, more difficult than the Blessed Virgin! She needs white thorns that rise to the ceiling, walls covered with greenery, etc." (LOM16)
Marie, her mom, Pauline and Leonie went on their last spiritual pilgrimage together to ask Our Lady of Lourdes to cure their mother's breast cancer. But it was not to be. Her mother's breast cancer was not cured and Marie made a promise to her mother before she died, that she would rear her younger sisters. Her mother told her to: "Continue to devote yourself increasingly to your sisters. Take care that in watching you, they have a good model to imitate." (SF) On July 28, 1877, Marie writes to her aunt Celine Guerin about the condition of her mother Zelie. She starts in the letter wishing to give her good news about her mother's condition but sad to say she was not able to. Her mother was only getting worse. Marie describes taking her mother to church: "Since the beginning of the week, Mom was sicker. Sunday, she still wanted to go to the first Mass, but it took courage and heroic efforts to get her to the church. Every step she took a sharp pain resounded in her neck, sometimes she had to stop... When I saw her so weak, I begged her to go home, but she wanted to go to the end, believing that this pain was going to subside and it did not happen, rather, she had great difficulty in returning to church, as she does not want to repeat such imprudence." (LOM17) The suffering of her mother took an undying toll on Marie, she herself suffered from sleep deprivation, she was afraid to leave her mother's side for one minute and she was not able to have that alone time she so valued with her mother. Marie describes the delicate care she took in taking care of her mother: "Yesterday our poor mother spent a very sad night. Louise stayed up for two hours. I would have like to do it myself but I was denied. I have not slept better for it, the thought of seeing my mom suffer so deprived me of sleep. Finally, about three o'clock, I had my turn at the sad consolation of going to treat her. Oh! She does not tire of me, I am sure! I regret to see the Sisters of Mercy come here. There must come a night for this and I am not going to be alone with my poor little mother. It's so sad to see her taken care of by strangers, I cannot stand it, and I think it's cowardly and ungrateful. But they must and I know it is not ungrateful it is not enough at all. Despite the good will that I try to help Louise, she is worn out with fatigue at the end of the day. But we must also say that this poor girl treats mom with great dedication and patience, not to mention her strengths and that if she had behaved badly to Leonie she tries thereby to forgive them." (LOM 17)




As Marie promised her mother, she took over the duties as mistress of the household and helped her aunt with their store's accounts while the younger sisters were attending school. While Louis was wrapping up the lace-making business, Marie would accompany her father on many trips to Paris. Outside of visiting shrines like the Cathedral of Notre Dame, they would find time to visit other tourist monuments as well. In a letter to her aunt Celine in the summer of 1878, she states: "Must I tell you my impressions of Paris? You know them already. In the presence of so many wonders, I remain dazed, dazzled, amazed, it feels like the time to be happy if there were fairies yet...But also what noise, what whirlwind, what a chaos that this great Paris has, it's good to spend some time there but I always seem to remain tired." (LOM 22) Marie and her family would make several pilgrimages to holy sites in France throughout their childhood.



Marie supervised her sister's upbringing and set a good example for her sisters to follow, she took constant and tender care of her youngest sister." (LM) "Marie made an offering to God that her younger sisters would serve only Him. She taught them how to listen to his teachings, and how to allow oneself to be spiritually open to His will which he has placed before his children."(SS) Her younger sister remarked: "Marie was so eloquent that her noble and generous spirit seemed to pass into mine...I loved her so deeply that I could not bear to be deprived of her gentle companionship" (M) Marie's youngest sister looking back in retrospect said: "I felt that both you (Pauline) and Marie were the most tender and self-sacrificing of mothers." (SS) Marie would rely constantly on her holy mother's intercession from heaven in helping her rear her sisters as she wrote to her father: "I am hoping more from the protection of my holy mother than from my own poor efforts, to complete from on high the transformation of my poor sisters." (GV) She would use examples of everyday life to illustrate to her younger sisters the virtues of living a Christ-like life. For example, Marie would say: "Look at the shopkeepers, how much trouble they give themselves to make money, whereas we can amass treasures for Heaven at every instant without giving ourselves so much trouble all we have to do is gather diamonds with a RAKE. " (CL) Marie would also sit her younger sisters Celine and Therese on her knee and read to them spiritual books and instructions, making an effort to embed in their souls the comfort of living in God's love." (CW) Marie continued to show her younger sisters how one could achieve sanctity by being faithful in the smallest matters. Marie's youngest sister described Marie and her teachings: "It seems to me all her great and generous spirit passed into mine. As the warriors of old taught their children the art of fighting, so she taught me about the combats of life, rousing my enthusiasm and pointing out to me the glorious palm. Marie also spoke of the immortal riches that we could so easily amass each day, about the misfortunate of trampling them beneath our feet when we have only, as it were, to stoop to gather them. I regretted being the only one to hear her profound teachings I was convinced even the greatest sinners would have been converted by listening to her, and that leaving their perishable riches, they would have sought only those of heaven." (M) She taught her younger sisters the self-mastery and the supernatural spirit of sacrifice. Attractive comparison clothed the austerity of the divine requirements and led to these being welcomed without causing fright." MF) Marie also used stories to interest her younger sisters in saving souls. (SF) Marie had a "mother's heart" and it was felt by all of her younger sisters. (SR) She would explain to them that the way of becoming holy is by fidelity in little things. (SR) Marie received a premonition that God would always carry her youngest sister like a baby rather than make her tread the path of suffering.(SS) Marie's sister Pauline frequently took trips to Le Mans to the Visitation monastery where she once attended school there. She spoke to the Superior about entering the convent while she was there. In a letter, Marie wrote dated on the 1st of December 1880, Marie was expecting Pauline to tell her how it went with the Superior. But she had to wait until Pauline came back home to Lisieux. It was somewhat of a secret between Marie and Pauline as they did not want to alarm any of the family members of her impending desires to enter the Visitation Monastery. As Marie describes: "On seeing your letter this morning I figured that you would have written me when you got back from Le Mans so I expected also to find news about this trip that you desired (entering the monastery), but that's for later, you can tell me all about this when you come back. I look forward...How many things you have to say: We will have time in the evening to talk and that's what upsets me because it gives you a headache." (LOM23)
In July 1881, Marie's father returns home with a little present for Therese. Marie writes to her sister Pauline and tells her what he got her. A magpie! Louis got the bird from Eugene Taille and bought a squirrel cage for it which resembled more like a doll house. She told Pauline that Therese watches over it like a mother watches over a child in the cradle. She gazes at the bird for hours. After Pauline, the second oldest of the Martin children, entered the Carmelite Monastery in Lisieux on October of 1882, Marie took full control of her younger sisters education, not only on spiritual matters but on basic school education as well. She would unite herself with her younger sisters and pray with them before they went to bed. She had a generous and loving heart towards them.



When Marie's youngest sister Therese was 10 years old, she suffered from an unknown illness threatening her life. Marie never left her youngest sister's side and looked out for her and comforted her with a mother's tenderness. She never lost her patience in spite of all the trouble she gave her. (SS) Marie and her other sisters knelt at her sister's bedside and prayed before Our Lady of the Smile asking for her intercession in curing her sister. Afterwards, Marie observed her sister's physical appearance had changed for five minutes and she was convinced that her youngest sister was cured. The miraculous cure took place on May 13, 1883. Afterwards, her youngest sister remarked about Marie: "It was indeed to Marie and her prayers that I owed the grace of a smile from the Queen of Heaven." (SS) and she also said: "Marie showed wonderful resignation by such resignation God was glorified. Marie suffered greatly because of me, and I am immensely grateful for all the care she showered on me. Her heart told her what I needed, and a mother's heart is far wiser than a doctor's: "it can guess what is best for her sick child." (SS)

One of Marie's duties was to prepare her youngest sister for her First Holy Communion. Marie and Pauline worked consistently to help her youngest sister to understand the Catechism in preparation for her First Holy Communion. (M)



Marie desired to serve God by becoming a nun but she had a reservation about being cloistered. Marie waited for a sign from God before she would enter into the Carmelite Monastery even though everyone else was telling her that a sign from God was not going to happen. At the age of twenty-two, Marie met Father Almire Pichon after he had offered a Mass Marie was attending. She confessed to him her desire of becoming a nun but was hesitant about making the full commitment. Father Pichon asked her to write down all her views regarding religious life and why she felt she was not ready to commit herself to serving him as a nun. So, Marie wrote down eight pages of her thoughts and discussed them for over an hour with Father Pichon. After this discussion, Marie felt she was now "caught in the nets of divine mercy" so she decided to make an effort to commit herself to serving the Lord as a nun. This was for Marie the sign she was looking for. She also explained: "Jesus has cast a special look of love upon me also!" (SF) On April 17, 1882, Father Pichon became Marie's spiritual advisor and on March 25, 1885, she voluntarily made a vow of chastity. Soon, Marie would tell her father that she also was entering the Carmel and initially he was deeply distressed over the news, but after hugging her he said: "God could not ask a greater sacrifice from me. I thought that you would never leave me." (SR) Marie prepared her younger sister Celine to take over the duties of running the household and taking care of their youngest sister.


During the month of May of 1885, the Guerins went on a holiday to Trouville-sur-Mer. Trouville is a seaside resort off the coast of the English Channel. The Guerins took both Celine and Therese on their holiday and Marie stayed behind in Lisieux. Marie wrote Therese a letter on the 3rd in a teasingly manner really knowing that she truly missed her. Marie wrote: "I am a Fairy Godmother who can refuse nothing to her big baby. So here I am free of my baby! This morning people were very kind to look at my torment as they no longer saw you around me. I told them to go see her in Trouville look under her beautiful straw hat. Pending the return of the straw hat to her rightful owner, I must pick and I mend her dresses...Poor slave that Marie!...Picks up her seashells and mend her other beautiful pleated dress with a thousand little tears...I treat your little rabbit at best. He is doing well and sends you a token of friendship with all his little antics. (LOM 27)


While Celine and Therese were still on their vacation in Trouville, Marie wrote another letter to Celine on the 26th of May. Already the two youngest girls were away from Marie for almost a month and like any "mother" she was missing her children. In her letter to Celine, she started reminiscing about when Celine was two years old and beginning to walk: "My little Celine of the past that I loved so much trying her first steps in the upper study at Rue du Pont-Neuf and everyone shouting more, once more" That I always will remember! "In those days, you were very nice, you did not walk with your head down like turtles and you did not look like the lady who laughs in the sun, showing her teeth." (LOM 29)



On August 30, 1885, Marie writes to Ms Cadet, a family friend, who offered her her condolences after finding out about the loss of her mother. "Let me assure you of our sympathy. We have not forgotten our neighbors, good friends, of old, and I need to tell you that we all share your pain. May God comfort you, I pray for you with all my heart...Oh! Yes, believe it, my dear lady, to Heaven, we remember her family and your little Marie loves you...We can even say, and truthfully, that she is not dead but lives...and a blessed life which bans the miseries and sorrows which we who remain here on earth are surrounded by." (LOM 30)


On August 1, 1886, Father Pichon wrote to Marie from Canada: "After having prayed very much, I believe I am the interpreter of Our Lord giving you the signal of departure, of going out of Egypt. Go quickly with a joyful heart to hide in His Heart." (SR)


Marie went to meet Father Pichon in Calais, France before she entered the monastery. She waited there for two days and then waited at Douvres but finally found him in Paris. There was a miscommunication as to when he was to arrive back to France.



After receiving a letter from Fr. Pichon on August 1, 1886, Marie made the final decision to enter the Carmelite Monastery. For years since leaving Alencon, Marie was there for her younger sisters Leonie, Celine and Therese and also helping her aunt Celine and uncle Isidore at the pharmacy. It was hard for Marie to break the news to her family that she would be leaving soon. So she wrote a letter to her dear aunt after she found out Marie was leaving. Marie wrote to her a letter on August 15th: "How do you write what I have to tell you, and how do I tell you with you writing it? It seems to me that my words and my pen will refuse me this service, yet my heart needs to talk! I am wrong! This is not I, who should speak, but God, and God alone. He calls me to Him, me, another unworthy of this grace! My darling aunt, I have found many times too bitter this mercy of God, but we have yet to answer...Life is a journey to eternity! Whether laughing or sad, who cares if it is God's will! Above all, the will of God! O my beloved parents (Uncle and Aunt), it is clear to me! And if my poor life was such that you could not believe it, I beg your pardon. My heart, you kneaded recognition and affection, you will keep forever as filial love. Your eldest daughter, Marie."(LOM 32)


On October 7, 1886, Marie entered the Carmelite Monastery of Lisieux at the age of twenty-six and was given the name Sister Marie of the Sacred Heart. Marie's uncle Isidore wrote to Marie regarding her new life at the Carmel: "For you, my dear, He hides the roses, the thorns alone strike your view and He is spreading them abundantly beneath your feet. The path you must follow becomes invisible because of them. However, you advance without turning your head, being guided by a feeble voice whose few sighs you can distinguish amid the outbursts of the storm raging within your heart." (SR)


It was very difficult for Therese seeing her "godmother" entering the Carmelite Monastery, so a month after she entered, Marie wrote to Therese in November of 1886 to try to help console her: "I do not want my baby to cry like that but it becomes very good and reasonable. Let it not be said today that it was the last time in your life that you saw me! And when you think Thursday morning the baby then returns to the parlor and Friday yet! Will there be no time to say many things. Come tell me soon as you have more pain and I kiss you both, Celine and Therese. But you are my jewels. Cherished gems beautify yourself for Heaven with tears and small sacrifices here on earth. This is what happens to diamonds when you know it benefit. But I do not want my love to despair when God has so...as spoiled. Reflect a little on the treats of God. That's when it's all dry tears. Your little Godmother who cherishes you."(LOM 33)

After Marie left for the Carmel and handed all of her responsibilities over to Celine, Celine was a little overwhelmed and she was having second thoughts about replacing Marie. So Marie wrote her a letter to encourage her to persevere given all of her new responsibilities. Marie writes to her beloved sister Celine: "I hope she does not want to be called more hope? Yet it was this darling little sister who is my hope! From it is what I expect of all, which is very good and dedicated. My dear little Celine is still a little star in the sky of my life. I see you shine soft and cheerful beautifying two lives: our good little father and that of your little sister who is entrusted to you now. Yes, you will do this and it is already done, and you rejoice to dry their tears, you will smile and enjoy the peace of home. But why darling are there many small thorns? It is true: But ask our good Jesus to hide the roses. You will see that when you are sacrificed! There is in this life, But Heaven is at the end! (LOM 34)



On the 1st of January 1887, Marie wrote her first letter of the year to her sister Therese in the letter she wishes her a happy birthday. Marie says: "Tomorrow you will be 14 years old! Your godmother does not forget it and just wishing you a happy birthday. If I had something to give you! But I have nothing but this little image that appeals to me and I am sending you it to celebrate. Here is a stick of licorice and a beautiful blue ribbon to make you laugh. Farewell my darling, love always the good little Jesus who smiled in his crib and that tends to thee his little arms to kiss you very hard. Your Marie loves you with all her heart. It was to you that my first letter be written this year. Embrace my little Leonie and Celine and our dear little Father." (LOM 36)


On the 16th of January, after spending four months in the Carmelite Monastery, Marie is still content and happy that she decided to become a nun. "I assure you we do not get bored in the Carmel. For me, I find myself very happy and I thank God every day of the grace he gave me." (LOM 37)


In February of 1887, a vote was cast by the members of the community to allow Marie to make her profession and receive the habit. She writes to her father to share the good news. "I really must tell you the good news is that I will be taking the habit. I did my formal request because it takes all of the sisters to vote me in. So my dear little Father, your diamond has not been thrown out by God. Every day of this life, He can let me work by the divine worker who Jesus is in Heaven to be the jewel in your crown." (LOM 39)


In preparation for the big day on March 19, 1887, Marie sent Celine a list of things for her to do prior to her ceremony. At this period of time, it was when she would dawn a wedding dress and leave the monastery and be escorted by her father into the Carmelite chapel to take her vows and then return back into the monastery. There were a couple of minor details which were frowned upon by the mother prioress which Marie was unaware of until a couple of days prior. One was that Marie was not allowed to wear any jewelry and she was not allowed to have short sleeves on her wedding dress. Marie was going to borrow her aunt bracelet and Leonie's daisy broach. But at the last minute, she asked her not to bring them after finding out that they were not allowed. The most important thing was addressing the short sleeves on her wedding dress. She asked her cousins if they had a light cotton jacket and if she could borrow it for the ceremony.


On March 19, 1887, Marie made her profession and received the habit. In the month of February 1887, she received a letter from her sister prior to her profession: "My dear sister, you cannot imagine how deep my love for you is and how much joy I wish you here on earth. You are beloved of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, whose dear spouse you are soon to become." (M)





On April 12, 1887, Marie had thanked her father for sending them some sugar sweets. She remarked: "This evening, I was so touched that I cannot help telling you about it. You are good, a thousand times good for your diamond and your pearl. And worse they want to shine and be perfect for your happy life and be your sunshine." (LOM 41) It was customary for the Carmelites on Wednesday during Easter to grill fish in honor of Jesus providing fish for his apostles. While it was Marie's turn to read the Gospel while the community was eating, unexpectedly the prioress interrupted Marie and told her that she would be responsible for providing the grilled fish for tomorrow's dinner. So, Marie lovingly asked her dear father if he could go fishing for her to help provide for the community. Of course, he obliged her request. Marie sent Celine a heartfelt letter to wish her a happy 18th birthday, in her letter she said: "Darling, tomorrow you're 18!...You are my hope and my joy, you who replaced me to be near our father that we love so much...During the hours of silence, I spent all my time picking flowers for you, I have wanted for you to have wild flowers that open in the sun and to the love half-opens your corolla...There is but He!...What joy to think that you will be to Him! Your eighteen years and to have Jesus in your heart. Goodbye darling, life passes like a shadow...You, I saw so small, are already there! I am sending you a picture of the Child Jesus who waits for you and desires you to be near Him!...Your sister who loves you like a mother. Tomorrow you will think of your true Mother in Heaven smiling at her little girl...We must never forget those days." (LOM 42)
In early May of 1887, Marie, Pauline and Therese received the news by Celine that their father is very ill. Marie tried to comfort her father in a letter to encourage him to fight his illness. As she writes lovingly to him: "It therefore seems that we will not be in Heaven treading on roses?...Since I've been at Carmel I had not had that joy, and knowing you are ill will be a big thorn in the middle of our flowers. This is true, but as is the good God who has grown and that He loves us more than we can understand, I think he touches and glorifies His Heart for us to abandon to his love. We, your children, do we not have confidence in you, are we not very sure that you would never do us but only good. Ah! the good God, the Father of Fathers, I say this and that is a touch to my heart, I say, my God you love us so much, what can we fear from you? All you do is well done and the test today may disappear tomorrow if you want it! Are you or are you not the Almighty and infinitely good. These crosses, these concerns, these trials of life are for me like an oar that pushes my little boat far into the sea and as I watch him closer to the shore with the blessed joys unmixed ahead. Once there, all my energy goes to that side and I am hungry and thirsty to be holy and to my benefit of anything that happens! To each his own, some kill themselves for present goods and bleach their hair to make millions...for us, are we not free to raise millions for the next life. O my dear little father when I think of the treasure amassed by you, I am almost afraid. Ah! That God does not advise you to give it away. It seems at times that he can do to keep her crown Saints...It is true that for him, it must be a holiday. But wait, my God! You are eternity! (LOM 43)
At the end of May 1887, Marie sent Therese a small note, to Les Buissonnets, asking her for some parchment paper that she had. After her request, Marie took the opportunity to send her a poetic message on the examples of faith. Marie wrote: "I dream of Buissonnets, I hear a song thrush of birds singing for us endlessly from morning until evening. Sometimes it thunders but they sing anyway. Small birds have more spirit than we they praise the good Lord always, in all weather, even when the sky is dark. Darling of my heart, if my baby grew up! And you will always be my baby, what we have about us is singing to our good Jesus, Oh! Yes, even when our hearts are sad. Our hearts have so many causes for joy, so much (LOM 44)
Marie wrote to her father Louis to thank him for the fish he had caught and gave to them in August 1887. She also praises him for showering them with so many gifts for the community. Marie writes: "Thank you my dear little father! Thank you, thank you! Still good fish...You give to us in abundance too. Our Mother is touched and your diamond almost in tears. How do you repay everything you do for us? By becoming holy...Oh! it is that title we all aspire to obtain, daughters of the cloister as the other two are remaining in the world. But unfortunately, it does not become a holy day. Life is as continuing and repeated as often as our dear little mother. Why are you looking for the rest as it is for the work you were born. But the rest will come because we were born also to the happiness and the happiness of Heaven..." (LOM 46)
Marie wrote to her father to celebrate with him in spirit for St. Louis's feast day on the 25th of August along with the letter she gave him a bouquet of verbenas. She reminded him of what a treasure he was to his family and to his family from up above. Marie writes: "I wish you a happy and holy feast day filled with every grace. May God allow you many more years for your children who love you so much, for you are their sun in this life or rather their whole Heaven with Jesus." (LOM 48) Marie reminded him of last year when there were four of them that were with him celebrating, but this year Marie was at Carmel and Leonie was at the Visitation. Marie continued to write: "Ah! All their love, their gratitude! You who have not caught their flight to God, who hast given so generously, be blessed forever. May you be returned a hundredfold in this world and in the next. As part of our dear mother in Heaven before us, unite with us to bless you with the four angels which are yours too! Five in the country and five in exile! The family that is up there in Heaven and the family that is down here on earth who on one day celebrates you." (LOM 48)
Four days after Louis, Celine and Therese left for the pilgrimage on November 4, 1887, Marie wrote to Celine a letter wishing them the best while they were on their pilgrimage. She said: "My darling, take care to enjoy all the joys that the good God gives you, for indeed there are still some left on this earth. When one sees such a good father who does not know what to invent to make you happy, there is not enough there to rejoice all day? Please study the wonders of the world to give us some news for us poor little hermits. Do you know that it lifts the Heart of God? It is true that all is vanity under the sun, but yet you are not going because of vanity but to the holy realities of the earth, to the martyrs, to the Supreme Pontiff." (LOM 50)
On the family's pilgrimage to Rome, they also stopped and visited other holy sites in Italy. During this time, Marie and Pauline kept in constant contact with Therese and Celine because because they know of Therese's desire to enter the Carmel and knew her last step would be to ask the Pope himself. On November 9, 1887, Marie writes to her sister Therese: "My darling, rest in the Heart of the good Jesus, abandon yourself to Him in his house and she will not be too embarrassed for him to open the doors. I pray for my little beloved goddaughter. She eats good food especially for having the strength to make her beautiful and holy pilgrimage. Do you think you're going to visit the real home of the Virgin Mary and the baby Jesus!...(House of Loreto). This is what is beautiful. Pray hard for us all so that one day we could not only see the house but sees Jesus himself and the beautiful Paradise." (LOM 51)



On the same day, November 9th, Marie also writes a letter to her father Louis expressing to him her devotion to him. Marie writes: "So there you are again in the Eternal City (Rome)...For you, it will be a new attraction, since you will be receiving the blessing of the Supreme Pontiff. Therefore when we are at the feet of God, in his eternal city, to Him shall we all be together! As many audiences as we want in this beautiful paradise...or rather an audience of hearing the words from his lips so lovely that no one can imagine, as St. Paul himself never wanted anything. He will satisfy you, Oh our Father is so good! Sweet things that will be said to you and how much love He will have that will fill you. I like to dream about these future glories that will crown your life. But in the meantime, I ask the good Lord that He is in no hurry and that He will leave you much longer to your children, who love you and revere you." (LOM 52)




On the 11th of November, Marie responds to her sister's letters from Italy. Marie explains to both Celine and Therese that she wasn't able to write much due to the busy schedule she was up against. But she instructed Celine to write everything down, so that she doesn't forget anything from the trip after each day's events. She also reminded both of them of the lines they often repeated together: "Time is your ship and not your residence...(Lamartine). You see as you make way...and we run as quickly and even quicker to Heaven, our one true home." (LOM 53)
The 20th of November was a special day for Therese, Celine and Louis Martin. It was the day that she was going to see the Pope and the day that she would ask him, to enter the Carmel. To encourage her sister Therese, not to feel defeated, Marie asked her to work harder at building a better relationship with one of her detractors. Marie wrote: "My Therese never tires of being the ball of the Child Jesus. It will be so good one day to roll to Heaven, and it will be so well! But while waiting it is necessary for you to win Mr. X a little on the ground in the rocky paths so that the little ball will not deflate. That would make the baby Jesus cry who loves you both (Therese and Celine)." (LOM 54)
On a separate sheet of paper, she wrote to her father Louis on the same day about Leonie. Leonie was having trouble at the Visitation monastery. Apparently, from a brief reprieve, she was doing better than what was expected. Marie wrote: "We received good news from Leonie, I hope that God will regard the generosity of his new Abraham and He will have mercy on our little Visitation. As long as she does not leave her Visitation, they will all be to Him, your daughters. Proud father!" (LOM 55)
On November 23, 1887, Marie and Pauline received the news of Therese's visit with the Pope. For Therese, it was not an encouraging encounter with the Pope she felt her entrance into the Carmel was still in limbo. Marie writes to Therese to encourage her and to give her hope: "You can say with truth as the virgin Agnes (St. Agnes) said: "He put his sign on my forehead! Yes, little darling of Jesus, he has marked you as his little wife with the sign of the Cross. But you would not be his if it were not so. You would not be privileged if you had ever placed your lips on its bitter cup. But darling, the sweetness that is hidden...Yes, in this cross there are roses...This is not just to comfort you while I am telling you this: "Its my belief" Did you notice the words of the Holy Father that were addressed to you: "You will enter if God wills it." This is profound, my little Therese, Ah! If you only knew what mysteries it contains. You will enter if God wills. A word from the Holy Father is a word from God Himself: it is as if Jesus told you: My child, if I want you, you shall go. if I want, despite all the contradictions, although not all of you will enter, if I want, tomorrow's hearts will be changed because I have all of them in my hands! Yes, darling, the Holy Father has spoken the truth: He could not tell you a more consoling word. You will enter if God wills it! For me, it is a balm and I would always say that without tiring. Did he not say: "Wait my child and listen to the voice of your superiors, he told you: "You will enter if God wills it!" To receive the happiness in your heart I know you would have had to hear a yes. But Jesus wants to give you the experience of complete trust and abandonment for his Teresita. He wants his little ball but does not want to break it...Ah! He loves her to much for that and that her heart not be troubled. Jesus said to his apostles as before: "It's me! Do not worry. No, my Therese, no, there is nothing to fear, there is only blessed Jesus! This Jesus who loves us both. Yes, my Therese, yes, the Holy Father looked upon you to listen to you. And Jesus too...Ah! As He looks lovingly towards his beloved little toy I was wondering if the hour of God was not anticipated by us. But Now I know not! He gave us evidence. And I am sure it will be his will." (LOM 56)
On November 24, 1887, Marie wrote to Celine to try to encourage her to maintain her faith in God and use this experience to continue to build her faith regarding the uncertainty of Therese entering the monastery. It was very discouraging to Celine about what had occurred at the Vatican. Marie wrote: "This life's journey is so beautiful it's a true picture of life which is never without clouds. The good God does love you too much to sow only roses in your path. But I confess that I believe that God has His purposes in all designs and his delightfulness of mercy. Forget joyful until the end, God willing, forget HAPPINESS despite all that can happen. You will see I am right to invite you to the joy. Be grateful to God and to our good father (Louis) for a gift of such a journey. Be GREAT, generous and fearless. This does not suit you to be otherwise. Be happy, happy, happy hearing the Holy Father. And do not draw clouds in the sky. You would be a clumsy artist." (LOM 57)



Marie also wrote a letter to her father, while he was with his two daughters, Therese and Celine, in Rome, Italy on November 25, 1887. In the letter she expresses to him the gift of receiving a blessing from the Pope: "I'm all fragrant with the blessing of the Holy Father. Ah! I'm not surprised he has given you a special look. He, the representative on earth, to understand you, O Venerable Father! He has blessed your white hair He has blessed your old age! It seems to me that it is Jesus Himself who blessed you, made you look! Press into your hands the august hands, what a privilege! There is nothing left to see and enjoy in this world. I find that after that there is more in Heaven. Oh dear Father, as I am eager to work one day to deserve the special look of Jesus, to deserve the special look of Jesus, to deserve to place my hands into his for eternity. Ah! The bright future is what we prepare ourselves for! Heaven! Heaven! O endless joy!" (LOM 58) Marie always showed great admiration for her father.
Celine was still agonizing over the fact of Therese's uncertainty of entering the monastery. ON the 26th of November 1887, while still on the pilgrimage to Rome, Marie wrote to Celine again to encourage her faith: "Is it not beautiful how God orchestrates life, is it not good to surrender to Him! Ah! What a Heart is his! He comes as quickly to our aid as soon as we suffer and in all the Crosses we bear he hides these treasures...which we do not always know. God does not show each of them every time as brilliantly, but they are nonetheless there and if we do not see them here on earth, in Heaven we will see each and every one of them. You, my dear Celine, you will recover without a doubt the generosity that you prove to God by giving your heart to Therese. It is God who has any leads, any...I always thought that God wanted Therese. This was proof to none." (LOM 59)
In March of 1888, Marie wrote a letter to her father to show her gratitude towards him for all of the things she has done for them at the Carmel. It was a month before Therese enters the Carmel to where her would lose another daughter. The decision was made in January but they delayed it until April. Marie writes: "My darling father, it feels me with great joy to say thank you for the large amount of seafood you gave us. We feasted upon it all week. May God bless you overwhelmingly for what you continue to do for us. My beloved father you are indeed one of His dearest, Oh! Yes, I can see your soul radiate with such joy in my heart. Failing virtues, it brightens your diamond. For us what are you then? I do not think there are a lot of fathers that are more loved and revered as much as you are. For me, I feel that my heart is always at your side. If I could give you all of my happiness, I would. But in all my happiness here on earth, it is with the Carmel that I choose to take my journey that is bound for Heaven. There is no obstacle to great to prevent me from making this journey with the Carmel. It is good here and we aren't tempted by the trappings of this world as so many others are." (LOM 60)
On April 9, 1888, Therese entered the Carmel. Today, her father Louis lost another daughter. Right before Therese entered through the door both her and her father said their parting words as he wept at giving another daughter away. In an attempt to ease her father's grief, Marie wrote him a letter. In the letter she states: "Celine tells us that we aren't worthy of you, I agree. Ah! What a father we have been given! You are truly a blessing above many. It doesn't surprise me that God guides all of his children to this incomparable father! It awakens God's heart to see that special love which you have showered upon us. I know our dear mother is smiling in Heaven as she is so happy to ese you in surrendering to God as you fix your eyes upon Heaven. Oh father, you are the best of fathers, if we don't imitate your generosity and follow in your footsteps we will not become worthy of being holy. Ah! Jesus will bless you a hundredfold for your generosity, a pure fresh half opened lily. Oh, your crown in Heaven, dear father, will radiate with such great beauty. Please pray for your diamond that it will not pale in comparison to yours." (LOM 61)
Marie wrote a letter to Celine on the 27th of April, the next day it was going to be her 19th birthday. In her letter to Celine, Marie expressed the divine wish for her to receive abundant graces from God on her birthday. Marie reiterated to Celine what a blessing she was to her and her family. Since, she was now the sole daughter that was taking care of their father. She writes: "In all of Jesus's treasures he couldn't have chosen but the best one. Now, the only desire that you have is to become holy. This is what all of us must work towards. Ah! My beloved sister, this is all we have left to do in this life." (LOM 62)
Knowing of Marie's impending profession, Fr. Pichon, her spiritual advisor, wrote her a letter on May 12, 1888, describing the event about to take place and offered her advice about not taking this major step in her life: "So, now you enter the "Upper Room"(the profession of Marie), I beg Our Lady to keep you close to her during these blessed days (10 day retreat prior to profession) to prepare yourself as I would do it for Him. You must surrender yourself to Jesus as I would give you myself. Yes, I understand the most mysterious secrets of your soul." Previously, when she was contemplating the religious life, she had many doubts and Fr. Pichon became her spiritual leader to help her work through it. He goes on to say: "Jesus is good for you and is generous to me in being there for you! It is a blessing to see you entirely devoted to his love. Sacrifice the world without any reservation and without pity. I do not want you to be spared like Isaac. (Reference to Isaac the prophet: Hebrews 11:17) I do not want the sword to be suspended. The blessed sword which will decide everything that binds you to the earth and the world. Allow yourself to dive into the arms of Jesus. To live and die there will be your sole ambition. By the hands of Mary, I bless your heart's content."(LOM 63)



Marie wrote a small note to Therese during the third week in May of 1888 at the Carmel. Therese had only been at the Carmel for a month and already some of the nuns were giving her a hard time. Marie wanted to encourage her after she witnessed Therese being humiliated. She writes: "The child Jesus is happy! Tonight, Therese offered her heart to Jesus with such beautiful flowers...sacrificial flowers...she truly understands...Ah! Those flowers are the most fragrant to Him than all of the flowers of the world. Again, He knocks at the window against all of the rhetoric conspired by the wicked. So, that his little bride knows not to refuse Him anything. Knock, knock... you who have not seen your mother tonight, or have seen very little of her, come see me as I smile at you. In Heaven, I inundate you with joy for the small joys are beyond you. In turn, I will inundate you with the fragrance of my flowers. Knock, knock... Come back to comfort me my love, for those that do not like me. Ah! I cannot wait to see you again. Have you other flowers to give me? I do not force the hearts of every man...Oh! let me knock on yours forever." (LOM 64)
Marie's sister Pauline had some encouraging words for her on her impending profession. Pauline, becoming the first of the Martin sisters to profess, had already crossed this threshold in her life as a Carmelite. Pauline wrote to her beloved sister: "Dear little white dove, it is true that we must suffer, please believe that the little sparrow (Pauline) has its share of both bitterness and refreshing water. But most importantly, we really have Jesus! Try to accustom yourself to give to Him everything. At times you have done well...never going to drink unnecessarily from the fountains of other people, always coming back with an ardent thirst for Jesus. I love you very much dear little white dove of Jesus, because your wings have grown so much. You have always tried to spread them out in the desert for Jesus for only Him to see alone. You have the ability to understand your happiness in the emptiness of all things, because by your willingness you will receive the greatest of graces. My weakness made me shed a few tears during my profession and at the same time, a small insect with transparent wings came to rest on the edge of our book. I would have gladly told the insect: "Hush, little creature but because you would blame me for my ingratitude, I did nothing." It is true that it seemed to say: "I am more faithful than you, looks like I am more obedient to the orders of my Creator. God told me to come and place myself before you. You could have chosen to kill me. But I, an insect, have no desires or fears. I am God fore he makes what he wants." (LOM 65a)
Despite the small insect, I still had problems. Then, Jesus came to comfort me, not to take away the pain but to allow me to understand the grace hidden under the thorns of this life. And I replied: "Lord, to whom shall I go? Only you have for me the words of eternal life." I have read something very mysterious. The sense of sight will not be the most enjoyed in Heaven but it will be hearing. "For the act by which I mean the eternal Word in me, rather than the act by which I see out of me. What makes our beatitudes is not to act, but rather to receive God's actions. Now when I hear, I am passive I am active when I see, etc. Little dove, here is proof once again that the Kingdom of Heaven is within us. Jesus said to Saint Teresa of Avila: "Out of you, is useless. Look, I have told you. Finding me is not difficult, call upon me, this is enough. Tear without showing anyone." (LOM 65b)
Marie wrote to her father on May 17, 1888, just five days prior to her profession. She wanted to let him know that she made her final decision to profess herself for the rest of her life to Christ. She sought her father's forgiveness as well as his approval. "I come to ask you for your forgiveness for all of the trouble I caused you throughout my life. I leave my loneliness expressly for that. Do not deny your diamond your forgiveness and your blessing. Ah! it is sweet to come on the eve of such an alliance to receive the forgiveness from a father like mine. It is sweet to the diamond going to enshrine herself in the Heart of Jesus and not enshrining herself to a mortal husband. Father, our revered patriarch, to be the object in his children's eyes is a like love. Oh my dear little Father, what happiness this brings me to profess my life to Christ. The world understands nothing and it is useless for me to try and explain it. "This is the secret of the King and the secret of souls He calls to Him." "Happy are the souls who have really found the hidden gem, the great treasure hidden in the field to which only a few people find. Pray for me father that I prepare to be the best spouse of the King of Heaven." (LOM 66)



While Marie was on retreat prior to her ceremony, she reflected upon several things. One of those things was meditating on the Sacred Heart of Jesus. She wrote these words just days prior to her May 22nd profession: "The lonely Heart of Jesus has a very sweet pleasure to her grand daughter she reads it from her heart. Life is full of sacrifice, it is true! But what a joy it is...If you knew how much I LOVE you. When I meet you, I will think you are an angel...You, who are so AIGLE and are called to roam through out the hills to the setting sun, please pray for the little reed that is kept so low at the bottom of the valley. The slightest breeze will make it fold. Oh! Pray for me on the day of my profession! Please ask that your little girl is still a very obscure grain of sand, well hidden from everyone's eyes that only you Jesus would be able to see me. I have become increasingly little, reduced to nothing. Please forgive me for all of my transgressions, if only you knew how much I regret that I have told you that you were calling upon me so often...I will seek to never cause you any trouble...goodbye...forgive me."(LOM 67)
Marie writes a note to Therese two days before her final profession on the 20th of May. She tells her: "O cherubim, take me to the garden of the Bridegroom! Here it is...He approaches...Will he stop and look at me...Will I be this little plant that He will look at with complacency or will he pick the flower to inhale the scent!...Open your corolla (a group of petals on a flower) and show your heart to Him and He will look upon you with love!" (LOM 68)
On May 22, 1888, Marie was professed and her youngest sister placed a crown of roses on her head. (SS) After Marie made her final profession, it was for her "An assurance of her eternal crown in heaven." Marie wrote to her father thanking him for the beautiful gifts he had given to the Carmelite Monastery and promised him she would not let him down and also wrote: "Oh you, best of fathers, who give to God without counting the cost all the hope of your old age yours is the glory, a glory that will not pass away. Yes, beloved Father, we shall glorify you, as you deserve to be glorified, by becoming saints. Less than that would be unworthy of you." (SF)
In December 1894, Marie asked Pauline to have her youngest sister Therese write her childhood memories. Marie's youngest write started her manuscript in January 1895 and it was given to Pauline in January 1896. In 1895, Marie's youngest sister approached her in the courtyard and asked her if she would become a "Victim to the Merciful Love of God." Marie's first instinct was to refuse her younger sister's request, Marie's younger sister explained to her that when you offer yourself as a victim to the Love of God it is different from giving yourself over to His justice: "It does not always mean an increase in suffering but gives you the ability to love God more. Marie was convinced and she made the Oblation to the Merciful Love of God." (MST) Marie found her vocation and it was Love.
In the following years, Marie dedicated herself to an "extended group of friends and benefactors to Carmel, she proved to be one of the most ardent apostles of the Act of Oblation. (MST) In every opportunity given to her, Marie introduced her "Oblation of Love" to many people she corresponded with. Between September 8-17, 1896, Marie asked her youngest sister to write another manuscript on her "closeness to God". In the letter which accompanied the second manuscript from Marie's youngest sister, her sister wrote to her expressing her feelings about Marie's influence on her life: "This child, dear grandmother, whom you offered to the Lord and who speaks to you this evening, is the one who loves you as a child loves its mother...O my dear Sister, you wish to hear about the secrets Jesus confides to your little sister however, I realize He confides in you too, for you are the one who taught me how to gather the divine instructions." (LC) She also wrote: "How happy we both are to be able to understand the secrets of Jesus! If you (Marie) would write what you know of them, what wonderful pages we should read. But I know you prefer to keep "the secrets of the King" to yourself. You (Marie) tell me it is honorable to reveal and confess the works of God, "yet I think you are right to keep silent, for it is quite impossible to describe the secrets of heaven in the words of earth." (SS)




Courtesy of Carmelite Monastery in Lisieux, France



Bibliography

Abbé Combes, ed. Collected Letters of Saint Therese of Lisieux. (CL)

New York: Sheed and Ward, 1949.

Baudouin-Croix, Marie Leonie Martin: A Difficult Life. (LM)

Dublin: Veritas Publications, 1993.

Beevers, John, trans. The Autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux: Story of a Soul. (SS)

New York: Doubleday, 1957.

Clarke, John, trans. St. Therese of Lisieux: Her Last Conversations. (LC)

Washington, D.C.: ICS Publications, 1977.

Dolan, Albert H. Rev. Collected Little Flower Works. Chicago: Carmelite Press, 1929.

--The Little Flower's Mother. Chicago: Carmelite Press, 1929. (CW)

--God Made The Violet Too: Life of Leonie, Sister of St. Therese. (GV)

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Piat, Stephanie Fr. The Story Of A Family: The Home of St. Therese of Lisieux. (SF)

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--CELINE: Sister Genevieve of the Holy Face. trans: The Carmelite Sisters of the Eucharist

of Cochester, Conn. San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 1997. (C)

Redmond, Paulinus Rev. Louis and Zelie Martin: The Seed and the Root of the Little

Flower London: Quiller Press Limited, 1995. (SR)

Sr. Marie of the Sacred Heart correspondence, www.archives-carmel-lisieux.fr (LOM)







Martin Sisters Organization