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A Sister of St. Thérèse: Servant of God, Léonie Martin – Bearer of Hope with Fr. Timothy Gallagher – Episode 6
In this episode, Zélie’s battle with cancer ends with her death. Now a great time of transition begins for the entire Martin family, especially for Léonie. The family moves from Alcon to Lisieux to be closer to Zélie’s brother, Isidore, and his wife, Celine. Per one of Zélie’s dying wishes, Celine lovingly becomes like a second mother to the girls.
Something remarkable is beginning to occur at this time. Léonie, over the course of several years, successfully attends a Benedictine boarding school located in Lisieux. She begins to express herself with loving affection to others and expresses hope for the future. Her family shares their belief that this “change” is due to Zélie’s heavenly intercession for her daughter. However, this is also a time of uncertainty and some sadness for Léonie. While her sister’s lives are moving forward, her life remains unclear. What will become of poor Léonie as she begins adulthood.
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:
- Transformation Through Struggle: How does Léonie Martin’s life exemplify the concept of spiritual transformation through personal struggles and challenges?
- The Role of Family: Reflect on the influence of Léonie’s family, particularly her mother Zélie Martin, in shaping her spiritual development and journey towards holiness.
- The Power of Prayer: Discuss the significance of prayer in Léonie’s life, especially during times of difficulty and uncertainty. How does her commitment to prayer serve as a source of strength and guidance?
- Expressions of Love and Affection: Explore the themes of love and affection in Léonie’s letters to her family members, particularly her aunt Celine Guerin. How do these expressions of love reflect Léonie’s character and spirituality?
- Hope and Perseverance: How does Léonie’s story offer hope and encouragement to listeners, especially in moments of struggle and doubt? Reflect on the message of perseverance and faith found in her journey.
- Lessons for Personal Growth: What lessons can we draw from Léonie’s life and spiritual journey? How can her story inspire us to deepen our own faith and relationships with God and others?
- Family Dynamics and Support: Consider the dynamics within Léonie’s family and the support she received from her relatives, particularly her aunt Celine Guerin. How does familial love and support contribute to Léonie’s spiritual growth and resilience?
- Embracing Humility: Reflect on Léonie’s humility and self-awareness, especially in acknowledging her limitations and struggles. How can we cultivate humility in our own lives and embrace our vulnerabilities as opportunities for growth?
- Trusting in Divine Providence: Discuss the theme of trusting in God’s providence as depicted in Léonie’s life. How does her story illustrate the importance of surrendering to God’s will and trusting in His plans, even in the midst of uncertainty?
- Finding Meaning in Adversity: Reflect on the notion of finding meaning and purpose in adversity, as seen in Léonie’s journey towards holiness despite facing numerous challenges. How can we find hope and meaning in our own struggles and difficulties?
Leonie's parents - Sts. Louis and Zélie Martin
Marie
Pauline
Céline
St. Thérèse
Léonie's Uncle Isidore Guérin
Léonie's Aunt Celine Guérin
Léonie's Cousin Jeanne Guérin
Léonie's Cousin Marie 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
