Another ‘first'

Chalk up another stunning first in the just over two years that Francis was elected as 265th successor to the chair of Peter

Francis has approved a miracle so that, for the first time, a married couple can be canonized together., reports Cindy Wooden of Catholic News Service.

The canonization ceremony for Blessed Louis and Zelie Martin, parents of St Thérèse of Lisieux, is likely to take place during the world Synod of Bishops on the family come October.

Pope Francis signed the decree late March the Vatican confirmed. It provided no details about the “miraculous cure” said to have taken place through the couple's intercession.

Fr Antonio Sangali postulator of the Martin cause, explained: It is about the healing of Carmen, a little girl in the Archdiocese of Valencia, Spain.

Born prematurely and with multiple life-threatening problems, Carmen suffered major brain hemorrhage. These could have caused irreversible damage, in a child born prematurely. She also suffered 4th degree brain hemorrhage.

The doctors were all negative, even in the case in which the girl would be saved, because they said that she would suffer grave psychological and neurological consequences. The parents were prepared the funeral rites

“The father and mother of this girl then entrusted themselves to St. Therese's parents, at the suggestions of some nuns who they turned to. The nuns surrounded Carmen with prayer.

Today, six years after her healing, the girl has not suffered any of the consequences that the doctors feared. She is completely healthy like all girls of her age. She is Witness A in the canonization process.

Cardinal Angelo Amato, prefect of the Congregation for Saints' Causes, officially confirmed that in October two spouses, parents of St Thérèse of Lisieux, will be canonized.”

Blessed Louis and Marie Zelie Guerin Martin were married in 1858. Four of the couple's nine children, them died in infancy. The five who survived — including St Thérèse — all entered religious life.

Zelie Martin died of cancer in 1877, at the age of 45; her husband died when he was 70 in 1894.

They were beatified in 2008 – first parents of a saint. to be so honored. This highlights the important role parents play in their children's human and spiritual upbringing, “a Vatican official said,

The next step is for the pope to hold a consistory with cardinals in Rome to announce the decision to proceed with the ceremony.

This is now set for the world Synod of Bishops on the family on October 4 to 25.

Fr. Antonio Sangalli recalls that of her parents, St. Therese of Lisieux once said: "God gave me a mother and father more worthy of heaven than of earth...."

"The lives of Blessed Louis and Zelie Martin are seen as an inspiration for Christian families the world over. The canonization is timely. Today, the Church is reflecting on the current challenges faced by families to be models of Christian virtue in a secularized society

“This is not by chance.” the story of their marital life is exactly what Christians need to be encouraged to live their faith without fear.

The Martins show that holiness that grows in the first cell of society, that is the family. They give witness that two spouses who love each other can become saints.

Fr. Sangall adds: It testifies that holiness permeates all stages of life and that there are no difficulties that cannot be overcome.

The Martin Spouses have lived together for 19 years, until Louis lost his wife to breast cancer and remained a widower. Already this enduring marriage was a sign, for today's world ....(where divorce is common)

Louis and Zelie made a Christian choice they carried out consistently, despite the difficulties of work, of the education of children, even the difficulties they faced among themselves, in their relationship. Nevertheless, they always put God in first place! This is the example they transmit today: the Martin family.

Louis and Zelie are the first couple, ever in history, to be raised together to the honor of the altars.

By canonizing these spouses, Pope Francis underscores the church teaching that shows that marriage has the dignity of a vocation. The spouses are invested with the authority from God to start a family, they become "rich" in Christ. It is a strong message, especially for today's youth, in a moment in which marriage is undermined in its essence and in its understanding.

First as engaged couples. then as newlyweds and finally as parents couples, step by step, they opt for -- not simply a human path-- a but a grandiose project that God has entrusted to spouses.. Hopefully, the canonization of this first couple, will bring forth others…"

Before opening the October 2014 meeting of the extraordinary Synod of Bishops on the family, Pope Francis venerated the relics of St Thérèse.*

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