“They learned, little by little, from the Lord that holiness doesn’t reside in one state in life but in a trusting and loving response to God’s call in daily life.”
I’ve been reading The Extraordinary Parents of St. Thérèse, where I came across that line.
The Martin family is a remarkable example of this. Louis and Zélie Martin — now saints themselves — raised five daughters, all of whom entered religious life. The most famous is St. Thérèse of Lisieux, one of the most beloved saints in the history of the Church.
Thérèse became a saint as a Carmelite nun. Louis and Zélie became saints as husband and wife, as parents. Different states in life, but the same trusting response to God’s call.
It wasn’t the state in life that made them saints. It was what they did within it.
Whatever our state in life — married, single, religious, widowed — holiness isn’t waiting for us somewhere else. It’s available right here, in whatever God has placed in front of us today.
Let us pray. Heavenly Father, help us to follow Your will this day, in the way that best pleases You. Help us to look for You in our daily lives. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Keep fighting the good fight. Our Lady of Victory, pray for us.
