FAMILY CORRESPONDENCE ZELIA AND LUDWIK MARTIN (1863-1885)

Discover the touching story of the Martin family, the parents of St. Therese of the Child Jesus, through their personal correspondence. Immerse yourself in the world of 19th-century France and get to know the daily joys and worries that shaped the life of this extraordinary family. This book is not only a collection of letters, but above all a testimony of deep faith, love and devotion.

• Unique insight into the life of the Martin family
• 218 letters from Zelia and 16 letters from Ludwik
• Detailed accounts of St. Therese's childhood
• Chronicler's flair and humor of Zelia
• Drama of Zelia's worsening illness
• Maturation to entrustment to God
• For lovers of St. Therese of Lisieux

The correspondence of the parents of St. Therese of the Child Jesus, proclaimed Servants of God by John Paul II, is an extraordinary collection of 218 letters from Zelia and only 16 letters from Ludwik. In Zelia's letters we find accounts of the daily life of the Martin family, of the children being born, their pranks, illnesses, the death of four of them, as well as many details from St. Therese's childhood. Zelia also describes with chronicler's flair and humor various events that the Alençon community lived through.

On top of this is the drama of Zelia's worsening illness, and her maturation to entrusting her life and the fate of her loved ones to God. The book is intended for all lovers of St. Therese of Lisieux and those who want to get to know her better. The Publishing House of the Discalced Carmelites puts into the hands of readers a unique document of the era, which allows us to better understand the spirituality and values that shaped St. Therese.

This book is not only a read for believers, but also a fascinating journey through time that allows us to better understand the realities of family life in 19th-century France. Zelia Martin, the mother of St. Therese, appears as an extremely strong, enterprising and humorous woman who endured the hardships of life with dignity and raised her children in the spirit of deep faith. Her letters are a true treasure trove of knowledge about daily life, customs and mentality of that era.

Technical data:

Pages: 496

Format: 14.5x20.5 cm

Year of publication: 2013

Cover: paperback

Publisher: Karmelitów Bosych