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A Sister of St. Thérèse: Servant of God, Léonie Martin – Bearer of Hope with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Episode 3
In this episode, we begin to hear from the perspective of St. Therese and her early memories of Léonie. Also, Zélie continues to share her fears, frustrations, deep concerns for her Léonie. She thinks she has found an answer with the arrival of two retired nuns. They might be able to teach her challenging daughter, but not all is what it appears to be with these two women. There is also something of a mystery surrounding Zélie and Leonie’s relationship. What is preventing Zélie from breaking through to her daughter? Then another sad death affects the family, while Zélie begins to experience her own health failing. What will become of her poor Léonie?
Fr. Gallagher says, “Léonie’s life holds a very important story because she was the forgotten one; she was the one who was in the last place; she was the one who was less gifted than the others. Today we would call her a ‘problem child,’ and we’ll see that she certainly was the source of great anxiety to her parents, especially to her mother, Zélie, who loved her dearly.”
As a child, Léonie suffered from severe illnesses and physical maladies that would plague her entire life. She also struggled with understanding social clues and interactions and with behaving appropriately. Conventional educational models of the day failed to meet her particular needs, and she was labeled “developmentally delayed.” Yet those who knew her well described her as having a “heart of gold”.
Who was Léonie and what were her struggles? Why has her cause of canonization begun? Father Gallagher, along with Kris McGregor, answers these questions and explains why Léonie is “a bearer of hope” in this landmark series.
Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions
- Understanding Suffering and Sacrifice in Family Life: How does the interaction between St. Zélie and Léonie exemplify the Christian principles of suffering and sacrifice, especially in the context of family relationships?
- Dealing with Family Challenges through Faith: What insights can we gain from the struggles faced by Léonie and her mother’s responses when viewed through the perspective of faith?
- Redemptive Suffering in Catholicism: Discuss how St. Zélie’s readiness to sacrifice her life for her daughter’s sanctity reflects the notion of redemptive suffering in the Catholic faith.
- Vocation and Holiness: Reflect on Léonie’s aspiration to be a “true religious” and a saint. What does this reveal about personal vocation and the universal call to holiness in Catholic teaching?
- Historical and Modern Parallels in Family Challenges: Analyze the comparison between the Martin family’s experiences and those shared by Kris McGregor, particularly regarding the enduring nature of family and faith.
- Prayer and Divine Guidance: How do prayer and seeking divine assistance play pivotal roles in the Martin family’s life, especially during challenging times?
- Communication and Emotional Support in the Family: Evaluate the significance of open, heartfelt communication within the Martin family and its relevance to nurturing familial bonds and understanding.
- Hope Amidst Despair: Explore the role of faith and hope in overcoming despair within the episode’s narrative, especially considering the family’s reliance on their beliefs.
- Saintly Influence and Devotion: Assess the impact of saintly intercession and Marian devotion on the spirituality and resilience of the Martin family.
- Parenting with Spiritual and Emotional Awareness: What can we learn from St. Zélie’s parenting approach, particularly her deep investment in her children’s spiritual growth and emotional health?
Leonie's parents - Sts. Louis and Zélie Martin
Marie
Pauline
Céline
St. Thérèse
Léonie's Aunt and Uncle - Céline and Isidore Guérin
Léonie's Aunt - Sr. Marie Dosithée (Élise Guérin)
A resource used for this series
Images in this post of the Martin/Guerin family are used with permission from the Archives of the Carmel of Lisieux website for strictly non-commercial use. We encourage you to visit the website for more information on this remarkable family.
For more series Fr. Timothy Gallagher podcasts visit here
Father Timothy M. Gallagher, O.M.V., was ordained in 1979 as a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a religious community dedicated to retreats and spiritual formation according to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Fr. Gallagher is featured on the EWTN series “Living the Discerning Life: The Spiritual Teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola”. For more information on how to obtain copies of Fr. Gallaghers’s various books and audio which are available for purchase, please visit his website: frtimothygallagher.org
