Céline loved playing with her dolls. She had that insight like her mother for detail
in dressing and arranging them. Thérèse, her companion, did not share the same
insight and relinquish all of her authority over her dolls to Céline. During
playtime, Céline’s dolls would become her pupils and Céline of course
would be their teacher. She would act out scenes to entertain both her
and Thérèse.
Pets were constant companions with both Céline and Thérèse. They had a small
aviary which consisted of some finches and later a parrot. One day, Céline
and Thérèse captured a magpie and placed it in a squirrel’s cage. They
would release the magpie while playing in the garden but soon the magpie
became more of a problem than of an innocent pleasure. The magpie
would fly above them and poke them on top of their heads, having them
run Pets were constant companions with both Céline and Thérèse. They
had a small aviary which consisted of some sporadically for cover. But
their adventure with the magpie would soon end when they found the
poor thing had drowned itself in a container of water.
Céline had reached the age where it was time for her to prepare herself for
her First Holy Communion. Pauline interceded at home, devoting many
hours, helping her prepare for this event. Pauline prepared a book for her to record her many thoughts. In this book, Céline
wrote down many of her religious thoughts as well as the many acts of sacrifices she made for God. In addition, she made a
retreat. Céline’s First Holy Communion ceremony takes place on May 13, 1880 at the Benedictine Abbey Chapel. Dawned in a
white dress, she received her first taste of communion bread. It made a great impression upon her soul. Céline states: “It was
with an inexpressible joy that I received my Beloved. I had waited a long time for him. I asked him to have pity on me, to
protect me always, and never to permit me to offend him; then I gave him my heart forever and promised that I would be
completely his. I felt sure that he deigned to accept me as his little spouse and that he would fulfill the role of my protector that I
had confided to him; and I felt that he had taken me into his safekeeping and would preserve me always from all evil.” (C)
With complete surrender, Céline also recited the “Act of Humility” consecrating herself to Our Lady. I give myself completely to
Our Lady. Céline states: “Oh! How happy I was to say those words in the presence of everyone, in order to give myself
irrevocably to my Mother in heaven, whom I loved with incomparable tenderness. It seems to me that in accepting for her own
the little orphan who knelt at her feet, she adopted her as her own child.” (C)
Céline’s confirmation took place on June 5, 1880. The day happened to be on the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Céline
recalled: “It seems to me that the Heart of Jesus himself had come to take the place of my heart by conferring on me his own
Spirit. I was deeply moved by the thought that this sacrament is received only once in a lifetime and that it was going to make
me a perfect Christian.” (C)
In 1881, Thérèse joined Céline, Marie and their cousin Jeanne to the Benedictine Abbey boarding school. The union had changed
between Céline and Thérèse. Céline gravitated more towards Jeanne and Thérèse towards Marie. Céline was very outspoken.
She loved to express her point of view and stood her ground on certain issues that were brought out in conversations that they
had. She lived up to her name the “intrepid one” in both conversations and actions.
Céline held onto her father’s persona in respect for allegiance to France. Like her father, she was very patriotic. During school,
when it was time for them to take their break and go outside and participate in school games such as war, it was always in
Céline’s heart to be on the side of the French. When it was not in her favor to represent the French, she allowed herself to be
defeated. She never quelled her thoughts to the courage and strength of those that represented France in times of uncertainty
such as the French martyr Joan of Arc. Anything less of heroic virtue was unacceptable to her by others. Her strength as
viewed by many of her peers became a double edge sword; she was strong and outspoken but suffered as a result from it
because in part she had a very giving heart.
On feast days, it was always a tradition of the Martin family to give presents to each other. On one particular feast day when
Céline was exchanging her gift to Thérèse, Thérèse was met with a bit of a shock when she opened her present. Céline had
bought her a toy gun. To the amazement of both Thérèse and her family, it was decided that another gift would be more suitable
for Thérèse and that the toy gun would be given to a family friend’s son.
There were times when the Martins, the Guérins and the Maudelondes would come together to visit one another. During these
times of recreation, the children of each of the families would reenact scenes together from stories or plays that they had seen
previously. Since Céline was commonly known as the “intrepid one” she would always receive the role as the notorious villain.
Obviously, the role of the villain was not at all her choice for parts, but she conceded and played along. Afterwards, she paid
handsomely for her role as the villain when her family friends and relatives would tease her using the villain’s name in place of
hers. It was for the most part humiliating and obviously not one of the games that was favored on her list to play.
Through the years from 1878 to 1887, Céline and her sisters would be invited on vacations with the Guérins. They would travel
with them to the seaside resort cities of Deauville and Trouville located just off the English Channel. There they would relax by
the seaside and swim as well as play games. Céline would take out her sketch book and make numerous drawings of the
seascapes and others with her sister Thérèse in them.
It was not common for the Martin family to put on or either attend social events. Louis did not prefer either him or his daughters
to get caught up into the vanities of society. Instead, the better alternative was for the family to spend time taking pilgrimages.
There was one especially dear to the Martin family which was nearby. The shrine at the Notre-Dame de la Déliverande, located
in the small town of Douvres-la-Déliverande, just north of Caen. It was a favorite place for the family to visit.
In October of 1882, Pauline entered the Carmelite monastery in Lisieux. She was the first out of the five sisters to leave the
home destined for a new life. It was hard on Céline to see her sister go. They shared so much together and Céline learned a lot
from her. It became especially harder for her for soon after her departure, Thérèse contracted a mysterious illness. Celine and
her sisters, Marie and Léonie spent many days at their sister's bedside. Marie led in prayer for the intercession of Our Lady to
cure Thérèse's illness. On May 13, 1883, the miraculous cure took place.
The Martin sisters all became members of a group called the “Children of Mary”. They promoted the adoration of the Blessed
Sacrament. Céline entered the group on December 8, 1882. At a minimum, the requirement was for Céline to spend two days a
week praying before the Blessed Sacrament. After much hard work and dedication, she rose to the level of president of the
group in 1885.
Céline completed her studies at the Benedictine Abbey boarding school in 1885. She graduated as an honor student, taking with
her the prize in religious instruction and easily taking the first conduct prize for the least amount of absences. Céline became the
only student in her graduating class to receive such an honor.
With much amazement at seeing Céline’s drawings, her cousin Jeanne got Louis’s permission to have Céline enrolled in some art
classes taught by Mlle. Godard. Céline learned quickly on how to master the paint brush. She created her own studio at Les
Buissonnets and worked hard at perfecting her skills as a painter. She painted some seascapes along with some portraits of her
sisters as well as of Our Lady. Later, Céline would reflect back on her lot of paintings as she called it “A museum of badly
painted pictures”. (C) Every artist has gone through that phase where they see the mistakes they made in previous paintings and
Celine was not immune from that.
In October of 1886, the oldest of the five daughters, Marie, left the family and entered into the Carmelite monastery in Lisieux as
well as the third oldest, Léonie, entered into the Poor Clare monastery. It was now left to Céline to become the “mistress of the
household”. Marie had taught her how to run the household as well as her father. But the presence of her mother Azélie was felt
by Céline the most, as if she never died.
During the Christmas holidays one of the long standing traditions celebrated by the Martin family, before going to midnight
Mass, was gift giving. The children would place their shoes at the foot of the fireplace in hopes that Père Noël would fill them
with gifts. When the Martins came back from midnight Mass, Thérèse was hurt to see that her shoes were not filled and sadly
went upstairs. Recognizing the disappointment in Therese’s eyes, Céline confronted her father and asked him to continue the
tradition one last time. Unknowingly to Louis and Céline, Thérèse overheard their entire conversation. Louis conceded, and
Céline then went upstairs to comfort Thérèse. Céline told her: “Do not go down immediately; wait a little while; you would surely
cry when looking at the presents before papa.” (DBT) When Thérèse went downstairs to open her presents, she surprised them
both. As Céline witnessed in amazement, Thérèse was no longer as sensitive as she usually was, she had regained the character
that she once had before her mother died.
Céline’s ambition of becoming a nun was very strong even from an early age; it was, as she saw it, her destiny. A change was
occurring in Céline leading herself away from the attraction to the material world to a life serving Christ. Even Thérèse saw in
Céline a change in her attraction to the religious life. With Céline only having a familiarity in the Benedictine ways, the Carmelite
Order was for now only an entertaining thought. It was Fr. Pichon, who becoming her spiritual advisor on October 12, 1887,
was the one who helped convince her to enter into the Carmelite Order. He instilled in her the confidence she needed to enter
into such a union. Céline captured her thoughts daily on the religious life by composing a spiritual diary. She wrote out her
desires in her diary on what it meant to her to be Christ’s bride. But the situations happening at home had put a temporary halt to
her intentions of entering sooner. In her conversations with Thérèse, about the religious life, she soon realized that Thérèse too
wanted to become a nun and desired to enter the monastery as soon as possible. The entrance into Carmel was for both of them,
a means of displaying to God their ultimate union with Him. As Céline already having the duel responsibilities of taking care of
both her aging father and of the house, she conceded graciously to Thérèse’s desire to enter first. Céline stated: “The love of
God was so intense in my heart, finding nothing that could bring even the least relief to this need I had of giving, I was happy to
sacrifice all that I held most dear in the world…Like Abraham, I busied myself with the preparation of the Holocaust, and I
helped my sister in all the steps she took to obtain permission to enter Carmel. I took her disappointments more to heart than had
it been my own.” (C)
Receiving Holy Communion was an important event in Céline’s daily devotion to God. During these times, receiving Holy
Communion on a daily basis was very rare for anyone. In order to receive Holy Communion more than regularly, she had to
receive permission from her confessor Abbé Baillon. Once obtaining his permission, she was able to receive Holy Communion
daily. Even when Céline went on holidays with her family she would make every effort to make up for the days she had missed.
It was a ritual for her to remove whichever bracelet she was wearing just prior to receiving the sacred host. As Céline saw it,
wearing the bracelet was a sign of servitude towards the material world, while Christ always yearned to be free. (C) She would
hum the canticle “Take my heart; there it is, O Virgin, my sweet Mother” and “It is for its rest that it has recourse to thee. As
for me, it’s because I love her.” (C)
Without knowing the strong desires Céline and Thérèse had for entering into the religious life, Louis had other aspirations for his
two remaining daughters. It was in his interest that both of them be trained in domestic duties in the hopes that one day they will
start a family of their own. But that idea would soon change for when Thérèse told her father she wanted to enter the Carmel.
He went with her to plead her case before the bishop to enter the Carmel but his refusal as well as from others was adamant.
In November of 1887, there was an opportunity for Thérèse to plead her case before the pope to enter the Carmel. On
November 4th, Louis, Céline and Thérèse left for Paris to join in a pilgrimage to Rome. In the three days that they were in Paris,
Louis took Céline and Thérèse to Basilique de Notre Dame des Victoires (Our Lady of Victories Basilica). There they showed
their devotion to Our Lady through prayer and reverence. This was the place where Louis went to pray for his daughters’
recovery when they were faced with life threatening illnesses.
It was not without any imagination and interest in seeing the sights of Paris. From visiting the many attractions most notably
made famous of the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum and the Notre Dame Cathedral to strolling down the Champs Elysées. It
was time to begin their pilgrimage on the 7th of November. The rendezvous point for the Martin family to join the others in their
pilgrimage to Rome started at the Basilique du Sacré-Cœur (Basilica of the Sacred Heart) located in the district of Montmarte.
Once the pilgrims had assembled in the Basilica, a religious ceremony was conducted to consecrate each one of them to the
Sacred Heart of Jesus prior to their journey. Once the ceremony ended, they left the Basilica and headed to the train station. In
honor of the pilgrimage each compartment was named after a saint. Hence their last name being Martin, they were assigned the
compartment for St. Martin.
Their journey on the train was filled with both excitement and amazement. From the different characters that surrounded them
on the train to the tranquil natural scenery viewed by them outside their window. It was a first for Céline and Thérèse to see the
beautiful mountains and the lustrous waterfalls of the Swiss Alps. After spending numerous hours aboard the train, they finally
made it to their first stop late in the evening to Milan, Italy.
Their destination was to the Duomo di Milan (Milan Cathedral). The next day, they entered from the piazza into the great
Gothic Cathedral, one of the largest Cathedrals in Europe. They showed their devotion by celebrating Mass with the other
pilgrims. They then toured the Cathedral filled with fine art and showed their devotion to St. Charles Borromeo’s remains,
located in one its chapels. Most importantly, it was a blessing for them to see one of the nails from the crucifixion of Christ
which was housed above the apse, strengthening their devotion even more.
After the Martins visited Milan, they boarded the train and traveled to Venice. Once in Venice, they travelled the city by gondola.
Louis, Céline and Thérèse made frequent stops and toured several museums like the Ca' Rezzonico and the Torre dell'Orologio
(the Moor’s Clock Tower). The Basilica di San Marco a Venezia (St. Mark’s Basilica) was also one of the stops that they made
while admiring the Christian themed mosaics with their golden and bronze backgrounds. Just north of Venice, in Padua, the
Martins traveled to the Basilica di sant’Anthony (The Basilica of St. Anthony); there they venerated the saint’s remains in two of
the side chapels of the Basilica dedicated to St. Anthony. The Chapel of St. Anthony houses his tomb and the Treasury Chapel
most notably houses his incorrupt tongue and jawbone.
Continuing on their pilgrimage journey in northern Italy, Louis, Céline and Thérèse reached Bologna. Bologna, most notably
famous for being the home of the Basilica di San Petronio (Basilica of San Petronio), was one of their first stops. Admiring the
works of Francesco Raibolini (Francia) and Lorenzo Costa, which dawn the walls of the Basilica, they completed their visit and
set off for Siena. Once reaching the city of Siena, Louis, Céline and Thérèse went to the Basilica di San Domenico (The Basilica
of San Domenico or commonly called the Basilica Cateriniana) which houses the partial remains (incorrupt head and thumb) of
St. Catherine of Siena. There they venerated the saint’s remains and prayed for her intercession.
At the latter point of their pilgrimage in Italy, they reached the hillside city of Loreto. Most notably famous for being the home to
the Santa Casa di Loreto (Holy House of Loreto), a basilica was built over the Holy House. Mass was held for the pilgrims
within the Holy House where Céline and Thérèse were blessed to receive Holy Communion there. This was the last stop before
they reached the city limits of Rome.
Once entering the city of Rome by train, they checked into a hotel and then preceeded to visit the famous tourist attractions
Rome had to offer. The Roman Coliseum was where the pilgrims along with the Martins first visited. Inside the Coliseum, it was
debated by Céline and Therese as to how they were going to enter the center of the Coliseum where the first early Christians
were martyred. The area where the archeologists were unearthing the ground was coordined off and that is where Céline and
Thérèse wanted to go to kiss the ground. Both Céline and Thérèse entered the restricted area and found the cross inladed in the
stone and kissed the ground nearby as well as praying a prayer for the early Christian martyrs. After they said their prayers,
they reunited with the group of pilgrims.
As they left the Coliseum, they preceeded to the Catacombe di San Callisto (The Catacombe of St. Callixtus) where there were
five levels of galleries containing a half million tombs. As being one of the largest of the catacombes in Rome, this was the place
where sixteen popes from the second to the fourth centuries were entombed as well as up to fifty early Christian martyrs. One
of the tombs that both Céline and Thérèse venerated was the tomb of St. Cecilia, who was one of the saints, if not thee saint,
that Céline was most devoted to. Even though her remains were removed between 817 to 824 A.D., they each laid down in her
Loculi (burial niches) to show their devotion to her.
One of the highlights of their visits to the famous places in Rome was the Scala-Santa (Holy Stairs) which was brought over
from Jerusalem by St. Helena. The stairs are famously known as the steps that led up to the praetorian of Pontius Pilate which
Jesus stood on his way to his trial. For both Céline and Thérèse, it was an honor to walk up the same steps that Jesus himself
walked. Their next stop was the Mamertine prison, which is best known as the place where St. Peter and Paul stayed prior to
their martyrdom. There the girls both paid their respects.
Their next destination brought them to the Basilica di Santa Croce in Gerusalemme (Holy Cross of Jerusalem). The basilica is
widely known as the place where pieces of the cross and nails relating to Jesus Christ, which had been brought back by St.
Helena from the Holy Land, and for the relics of Saints Caesarius and Anastasius. With much adoration, the Martin family
viewed the relics of Jesus Christ with pristine honor and reverence. Thérèse was given the opportunity to touch one of the nails.
On November 20th, it was set for the Martin family and the rest of the pilgrims for the pontifical audience at the Vatican with
Pope Leo XIII. At eight o’clock in the morning, the Pope appeared in the Sala Clementina (Hall of the Papal Audiences). He
ascended to the altar and proceeded with the Latin Papal Mass. Once the Mass was concluded, the Pope left the Hall and went to
an adjoining room to receive each one of the pilgrims for their Papal blessing. When they entered the Old Audience Chamber,
Céline nudged Thérèse to speak to the Pope about entering the Carmel. It was Céline who encouraged her to act on this great
opportunity to do so. Céline took the lead and went ahead of Thérèse to receive the Papal blessing first. After Céline had received
the Pope’s blessing, it was Thérèse’s turn. As Thérèse received her blessing, she looked at Céline and then asked the Pope for
his permission to enter the Carmel. Not receiving the answer she expected, her eyes filled with tears and she was then carried
away by the Swiss Guards and escorted out of the room. Both Louis and Céline tried to console her great disappointment for
not receiving the Pope’s permission. Once they left the Vatican, they went back to their hotel.
The next day, the Martin family left Rome and boarded the train to Montecassino. Upon arriving, they traveled to the Abbazia di
Montecassino (Monte Cassino Monastery). It is most famously known for housing the relics of St. Benedict and his sister St.
Scholastica. They paid reverence to the Saints’ relics. After leaving Abbazia di Montecassino, their next destination was Pompeii.
Due to the inclement weather in Pompeii, they were only allowed to view the ruins from the devastation of the volcano nearby.
Once viewing the ruins, the Martin family set off for Naples. To their destination, Certosa di San Martino (St. Martin's
Charterhouse), they were able to view the priceless art and artifacts that adorned the monastery, which now is a museum.
When their visit ended in Naples, they traveled back to Rome where they boarded the train, on November 24th, that would take
them back to France.
The morning came and the Martin family got into their carriage to take them to the train station. Once in the carriage, Mgr.
Legoux joined them to speak to Thérèse about the conversation she had with the Pope. After their arriving at the train station,
they boarded the train heading to the Northern part of Italy and making a stop in Assisi to visit St. Frances’s monastery. There
they viewed the priceless frescoes that adorned the walls of the church as well as paying their adoration to the relics of the
famous saint.
Boarding the train once more, they stopped in Florence. Both Céline and Thérèse kneeled before the tomb of St. Mary Magdalen
of Pazzi and prayed for her intercession. The “Pazzi”, which is commonly known for the religious complex, is now a museum.
The pilgrims then traveled back to Assisi where the train was waiting for them to make a couple more brief stops to Pisa and
Genoa. Once in Pisa, Céline and Thérèse went to see La Torre di Pisa (the leaning tower of Pisa) which is the bell tower for the
cathedral. They climbed the steps of the tower and reached the top to take in the view of Pisa.
After making their final stop in Genoa, they boarded the train home to France. Prior to arriving in Paris, they stopped in
Marseilles and went to the highest natural point in the city where the basilica Notre Dame de la Garde (Our Lady of the Watch)
was located. The basilica, traditionally known as being dedicated to the “Good Mother” and “Guardian of the Seafarers”, not
only allowed Céline and Thérèse time to pray and pay reverence to Our Lady. It also gave them a breathtaking view of the entire
city that was located below them.
Leaving Marseilles, they made their last pilgrimage stop in Lyons. In Lyons, they went to the Basilique Notre-Dame de Fouvière
(Basilica of Our Lady of Fouvière). The Basilica was erected in honor of Our Lady as a thank you from the citizens of that city
for saving them from the plague in the mid 1600’s. The Basilica is perched on top of one of the highest points in the city called
Fouvière Hill. Céline and Thérèse were able to view the city with a great view of Lyons and pay reverence to Our Lady.
On December 2nd, the Martin family finally arrived in Paris. They said their goodbyes and boarded another train back to Lisieux.
As soon as they arrived home, Céline and Thérèse went to the Carmelite monastery to see their sisters Marie and Pauline. Both
Céline and Thérèse discussed with their sisters the highlights of their trip to Rome. But the topic that was focused on most
between the sisters was Therese’s entrance into Carmel.
All of Céline’s sisters encouraged her up to the very end when the date was set for her entrance. Even Léonie, whom was
forced to leave the Visitation monastery in January of 1888, encouraged her entrance but also reminded her about some of the
pitfalls associated with her decision. Each day leading up to her entrance, Céline and Thérèse were inseparable. Céline helped her
prepare as much as possible all of the things that needed to be done prior to her entrance. When the day came on April 9, 1888,
it was the most difficult time for her to say goodbye to her sister. Céline describes: “I had to support myself unsteadily against
the wall...and yet, I did not cry. I wanted to give her to Jesus with all of my heart; and he, in return, clothed me with his
strength. Ah! How I needed that divine strength! When the door finally closed at the monastery entrance a wall was raised
between our two lives.” (C)
Céline and Léonie attended and helped at their uncle and aunt’s parties, it was an opportunity for them to get out and mingle with
other people. They would not only help with preparation of the food being served but also attend the dances. After Thérèse’s
direct influence over Céline had vanished, due to her entrance, an unforeseen opportunity had arise. Céline, never considering
ever getting married before, was propositioned on the subject by a gentleman that she knew. But Céline thought she was
convinced that her destiny lie always as a religious and not as a wife. At an unforeseen crossroads, she prayed on the subject a
lot, but without ever receiving any signs from God on what direction for her to go, it casted a lot of doubts in her mind about
being a religious. As Céline stated: “I kept telling myself: Isn’t this offer, which is made to me the instant Thérèse leaves me, an
indication of God’s will for me, which I hadn’t foreseen?” (C) Céline had no direction on this subject from her sisters, for they
never had the proposition of marriage come across their own paths. So, she leaned on her sister Thérèse and Fr. Pichon. With
Thérèse’s prayers guiding her and Fr. Pichon commitment of persuading her to stay on the path to religious life, Céline ended the
proposal and continued on with her life.
Louis’s health was deteriorating. The signs of all the strokes he had previously, had taken a toll on his health. Even with Léonie
at her side, Céline’s fear of losing her father became for her a very heavy cross for her to bear.
Bibliography
Piat, Stéphanie Fr. The Story Of A Family: The Home of St. Thérèse of Lisieux. (SF)
Trans: Benedictine of Stanbrook Abbey. Rockford, Ill.: Tan Books and Publishers, Inc., 1948.
Martin, Celine. The Mother of the Little Flower Trans: Fr. Michael Collins, S.M.A. (ML)
Rockford, Ill.: Tan Books and Publishers, Inc. 1957
Martin, Celine. The Father of the Little Flower Trans: Fr. Michael Collins, S.M.A. (FL)
Rockford, Ill.: Tan Books and Publishers, Inc. 1955
Scallan, Dorthy. The Whole World Will Love Me, The Life of St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face (WW)
Edited by Fr. Emeric B. Scallan, S.T.B. Rockford, Ill. Tan Books and Publishers, Inc. 1954
---. CÉLINE: Sister Geneviève of the Holy Face. Trans: The Carmelite Sisters of the Eucharist of Colchester, Conn. San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 1997. (C)
in dressing and arranging them. Thérèse, her companion, did not share the same
insight and relinquish all of her authority over her dolls to Céline. During
playtime, Céline’s dolls would become her pupils and Céline of course
would be their teacher. She would act out scenes to entertain both her
and Thérèse.
Pets were constant companions with both Céline and Thérèse. They had a small
aviary which consisted of some finches and later a parrot. One day, Céline
and Thérèse captured a magpie and placed it in a squirrel’s cage. They
would release the magpie while playing in the garden but soon the magpie
became more of a problem than of an innocent pleasure. The magpie
would fly above them and poke them on top of their heads, having them
run Pets were constant companions with both Céline and Thérèse. They
had a small aviary which consisted of some sporadically for cover. But
their adventure with the magpie would soon end when they found the
poor thing had drowned itself in a container of water.
Céline had reached the age where it was time for her to prepare herself for
her First Holy Communion. Pauline interceded at home, devoting many
hours, helping her prepare for this event. Pauline prepared a book for her to record her many thoughts. In this book, Céline
wrote down many of her religious thoughts as well as the many acts of sacrifices she made for God. In addition, she made a
retreat. Céline’s First Holy Communion ceremony takes place on May 13, 1880 at the Benedictine Abbey Chapel. Dawned in a
white dress, she received her first taste of communion bread. It made a great impression upon her soul. Céline states: “It was
with an inexpressible joy that I received my Beloved. I had waited a long time for him. I asked him to have pity on me, to
protect me always, and never to permit me to offend him; then I gave him my heart forever and promised that I would be
completely his. I felt sure that he deigned to accept me as his little spouse and that he would fulfill the role of my protector that I
had confided to him; and I felt that he had taken me into his safekeeping and would preserve me always from all evil.” (C)
With complete surrender, Céline also recited the “Act of Humility” consecrating herself to Our Lady. I give myself completely to
Our Lady. Céline states: “Oh! How happy I was to say those words in the presence of everyone, in order to give myself
irrevocably to my Mother in heaven, whom I loved with incomparable tenderness. It seems to me that in accepting for her own
the little orphan who knelt at her feet, she adopted her as her own child.” (C)
Céline’s confirmation took place on June 5, 1880. The day happened to be on the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Céline
recalled: “It seems to me that the Heart of Jesus himself had come to take the place of my heart by conferring on me his own
Spirit. I was deeply moved by the thought that this sacrament is received only once in a lifetime and that it was going to make
me a perfect Christian.” (C)
In 1881, Thérèse joined Céline, Marie and their cousin Jeanne to the Benedictine Abbey boarding school. The union had changed
between Céline and Thérèse. Céline gravitated more towards Jeanne and Thérèse towards Marie. Céline was very outspoken.
She loved to express her point of view and stood her ground on certain issues that were brought out in conversations that they
had. She lived up to her name the “intrepid one” in both conversations and actions.
Céline held onto her father’s persona in respect for allegiance to France. Like her father, she was very patriotic. During school,
when it was time for them to take their break and go outside and participate in school games such as war, it was always in
Céline’s heart to be on the side of the French. When it was not in her favor to represent the French, she allowed herself to be
defeated. She never quelled her thoughts to the courage and strength of those that represented France in times of uncertainty
such as the French martyr Joan of Arc. Anything less of heroic virtue was unacceptable to her by others. Her strength as
viewed by many of her peers became a double edge sword; she was strong and outspoken but suffered as a result from it
because in part she had a very giving heart.
On feast days, it was always a tradition of the Martin family to give presents to each other. On one particular feast day when
Céline was exchanging her gift to Thérèse, Thérèse was met with a bit of a shock when she opened her present. Céline had
bought her a toy gun. To the amazement of both Thérèse and her family, it was decided that another gift would be more suitable
for Thérèse and that the toy gun would be given to a family friend’s son.
There were times when the Martins, the Guérins and the Maudelondes would come together to visit one another. During these
times of recreation, the children of each of the families would reenact scenes together from stories or plays that they had seen
previously. Since Céline was commonly known as the “intrepid one” she would always receive the role as the notorious villain.
Obviously, the role of the villain was not at all her choice for parts, but she conceded and played along. Afterwards, she paid
handsomely for her role as the villain when her family friends and relatives would tease her using the villain’s name in place of
hers. It was for the most part humiliating and obviously not one of the games that was favored on her list to play.
Through the years from 1878 to 1887, Céline and her sisters would be invited on vacations with the Guérins. They would travel
with them to the seaside resort cities of Deauville and Trouville located just off the English Channel. There they would relax by
the seaside and swim as well as play games. Céline would take out her sketch book and make numerous drawings of the
seascapes and others with her sister Thérèse in them.
It was not common for the Martin family to put on or either attend social events. Louis did not prefer either him or his daughters
to get caught up into the vanities of society. Instead, the better alternative was for the family to spend time taking pilgrimages.
There was one especially dear to the Martin family which was nearby. The shrine at the Notre-Dame de la Déliverande, located
in the small town of Douvres-la-Déliverande, just north of Caen. It was a favorite place for the family to visit.
In October of 1882, Pauline entered the Carmelite monastery in Lisieux. She was the first out of the five sisters to leave the
home destined for a new life. It was hard on Céline to see her sister go. They shared so much together and Céline learned a lot
from her. It became especially harder for her for soon after her departure, Thérèse contracted a mysterious illness. Celine and
her sisters, Marie and Léonie spent many days at their sister's bedside. Marie led in prayer for the intercession of Our Lady to
cure Thérèse's illness. On May 13, 1883, the miraculous cure took place.
The Martin sisters all became members of a group called the “Children of Mary”. They promoted the adoration of the Blessed
Sacrament. Céline entered the group on December 8, 1882. At a minimum, the requirement was for Céline to spend two days a
week praying before the Blessed Sacrament. After much hard work and dedication, she rose to the level of president of the
group in 1885.
Céline completed her studies at the Benedictine Abbey boarding school in 1885. She graduated as an honor student, taking with
her the prize in religious instruction and easily taking the first conduct prize for the least amount of absences. Céline became the
only student in her graduating class to receive such an honor.
With much amazement at seeing Céline’s drawings, her cousin Jeanne got Louis’s permission to have Céline enrolled in some art
classes taught by Mlle. Godard. Céline learned quickly on how to master the paint brush. She created her own studio at Les
Buissonnets and worked hard at perfecting her skills as a painter. She painted some seascapes along with some portraits of her
sisters as well as of Our Lady. Later, Céline would reflect back on her lot of paintings as she called it “A museum of badly
painted pictures”. (C) Every artist has gone through that phase where they see the mistakes they made in previous paintings and
Celine was not immune from that.
In October of 1886, the oldest of the five daughters, Marie, left the family and entered into the Carmelite monastery in Lisieux as
well as the third oldest, Léonie, entered into the Poor Clare monastery. It was now left to Céline to become the “mistress of the
household”. Marie had taught her how to run the household as well as her father. But the presence of her mother Azélie was felt
by Céline the most, as if she never died.
During the Christmas holidays one of the long standing traditions celebrated by the Martin family, before going to midnight
Mass, was gift giving. The children would place their shoes at the foot of the fireplace in hopes that Père Noël would fill them
with gifts. When the Martins came back from midnight Mass, Thérèse was hurt to see that her shoes were not filled and sadly
went upstairs. Recognizing the disappointment in Therese’s eyes, Céline confronted her father and asked him to continue the
tradition one last time. Unknowingly to Louis and Céline, Thérèse overheard their entire conversation. Louis conceded, and
Céline then went upstairs to comfort Thérèse. Céline told her: “Do not go down immediately; wait a little while; you would surely
cry when looking at the presents before papa.” (DBT) When Thérèse went downstairs to open her presents, she surprised them
both. As Céline witnessed in amazement, Thérèse was no longer as sensitive as she usually was, she had regained the character
that she once had before her mother died.
Céline’s ambition of becoming a nun was very strong even from an early age; it was, as she saw it, her destiny. A change was
occurring in Céline leading herself away from the attraction to the material world to a life serving Christ. Even Thérèse saw in
Céline a change in her attraction to the religious life. With Céline only having a familiarity in the Benedictine ways, the Carmelite
Order was for now only an entertaining thought. It was Fr. Pichon, who becoming her spiritual advisor on October 12, 1887,
was the one who helped convince her to enter into the Carmelite Order. He instilled in her the confidence she needed to enter
into such a union. Céline captured her thoughts daily on the religious life by composing a spiritual diary. She wrote out her
desires in her diary on what it meant to her to be Christ’s bride. But the situations happening at home had put a temporary halt to
her intentions of entering sooner. In her conversations with Thérèse, about the religious life, she soon realized that Thérèse too
wanted to become a nun and desired to enter the monastery as soon as possible. The entrance into Carmel was for both of them,
a means of displaying to God their ultimate union with Him. As Céline already having the duel responsibilities of taking care of
both her aging father and of the house, she conceded graciously to Thérèse’s desire to enter first. Céline stated: “The love of
God was so intense in my heart, finding nothing that could bring even the least relief to this need I had of giving, I was happy to
sacrifice all that I held most dear in the world…Like Abraham, I busied myself with the preparation of the Holocaust, and I
helped my sister in all the steps she took to obtain permission to enter Carmel. I took her disappointments more to heart than had
it been my own.” (C)
Receiving Holy Communion was an important event in Céline’s daily devotion to God. During these times, receiving Holy
Communion on a daily basis was very rare for anyone. In order to receive Holy Communion more than regularly, she had to
receive permission from her confessor Abbé Baillon. Once obtaining his permission, she was able to receive Holy Communion
daily. Even when Céline went on holidays with her family she would make every effort to make up for the days she had missed.
It was a ritual for her to remove whichever bracelet she was wearing just prior to receiving the sacred host. As Céline saw it,
wearing the bracelet was a sign of servitude towards the material world, while Christ always yearned to be free. (C) She would
hum the canticle “Take my heart; there it is, O Virgin, my sweet Mother” and “It is for its rest that it has recourse to thee. As
for me, it’s because I love her.” (C)
Without knowing the strong desires Céline and Thérèse had for entering into the religious life, Louis had other aspirations for his
two remaining daughters. It was in his interest that both of them be trained in domestic duties in the hopes that one day they will
start a family of their own. But that idea would soon change for when Thérèse told her father she wanted to enter the Carmel.
He went with her to plead her case before the bishop to enter the Carmel but his refusal as well as from others was adamant.
In November of 1887, there was an opportunity for Thérèse to plead her case before the pope to enter the Carmel. On
November 4th, Louis, Céline and Thérèse left for Paris to join in a pilgrimage to Rome. In the three days that they were in Paris,
Louis took Céline and Thérèse to Basilique de Notre Dame des Victoires (Our Lady of Victories Basilica). There they showed
their devotion to Our Lady through prayer and reverence. This was the place where Louis went to pray for his daughters’
recovery when they were faced with life threatening illnesses.
It was not without any imagination and interest in seeing the sights of Paris. From visiting the many attractions most notably
made famous of the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum and the Notre Dame Cathedral to strolling down the Champs Elysées. It
was time to begin their pilgrimage on the 7th of November. The rendezvous point for the Martin family to join the others in their
pilgrimage to Rome started at the Basilique du Sacré-Cœur (Basilica of the Sacred Heart) located in the district of Montmarte.
Once the pilgrims had assembled in the Basilica, a religious ceremony was conducted to consecrate each one of them to the
Sacred Heart of Jesus prior to their journey. Once the ceremony ended, they left the Basilica and headed to the train station. In
honor of the pilgrimage each compartment was named after a saint. Hence their last name being Martin, they were assigned the
compartment for St. Martin.
Their journey on the train was filled with both excitement and amazement. From the different characters that surrounded them
on the train to the tranquil natural scenery viewed by them outside their window. It was a first for Céline and Thérèse to see the
beautiful mountains and the lustrous waterfalls of the Swiss Alps. After spending numerous hours aboard the train, they finally
made it to their first stop late in the evening to Milan, Italy.
Their destination was to the Duomo di Milan (Milan Cathedral). The next day, they entered from the piazza into the great
Gothic Cathedral, one of the largest Cathedrals in Europe. They showed their devotion by celebrating Mass with the other
pilgrims. They then toured the Cathedral filled with fine art and showed their devotion to St. Charles Borromeo’s remains,
located in one its chapels. Most importantly, it was a blessing for them to see one of the nails from the crucifixion of Christ
which was housed above the apse, strengthening their devotion even more.
After the Martins visited Milan, they boarded the train and traveled to Venice. Once in Venice, they travelled the city by gondola.
Louis, Céline and Thérèse made frequent stops and toured several museums like the Ca' Rezzonico and the Torre dell'Orologio
(the Moor’s Clock Tower). The Basilica di San Marco a Venezia (St. Mark’s Basilica) was also one of the stops that they made
while admiring the Christian themed mosaics with their golden and bronze backgrounds. Just north of Venice, in Padua, the
Martins traveled to the Basilica di sant’Anthony (The Basilica of St. Anthony); there they venerated the saint’s remains in two of
the side chapels of the Basilica dedicated to St. Anthony. The Chapel of St. Anthony houses his tomb and the Treasury Chapel
most notably houses his incorrupt tongue and jawbone.
Continuing on their pilgrimage journey in northern Italy, Louis, Céline and Thérèse reached Bologna. Bologna, most notably
famous for being the home of the Basilica di San Petronio (Basilica of San Petronio), was one of their first stops. Admiring the
works of Francesco Raibolini (Francia) and Lorenzo Costa, which dawn the walls of the Basilica, they completed their visit and
set off for Siena. Once reaching the city of Siena, Louis, Céline and Thérèse went to the Basilica di San Domenico (The Basilica
of San Domenico or commonly called the Basilica Cateriniana) which houses the partial remains (incorrupt head and thumb) of
St. Catherine of Siena. There they venerated the saint’s remains and prayed for her intercession.
At the latter point of their pilgrimage in Italy, they reached the hillside city of Loreto. Most notably famous for being the home to
the Santa Casa di Loreto (Holy House of Loreto), a basilica was built over the Holy House. Mass was held for the pilgrims
within the Holy House where Céline and Thérèse were blessed to receive Holy Communion there. This was the last stop before
they reached the city limits of Rome.
Once entering the city of Rome by train, they checked into a hotel and then preceeded to visit the famous tourist attractions
Rome had to offer. The Roman Coliseum was where the pilgrims along with the Martins first visited. Inside the Coliseum, it was
debated by Céline and Therese as to how they were going to enter the center of the Coliseum where the first early Christians
were martyred. The area where the archeologists were unearthing the ground was coordined off and that is where Céline and
Thérèse wanted to go to kiss the ground. Both Céline and Thérèse entered the restricted area and found the cross inladed in the
stone and kissed the ground nearby as well as praying a prayer for the early Christian martyrs. After they said their prayers,
they reunited with the group of pilgrims.
As they left the Coliseum, they preceeded to the Catacombe di San Callisto (The Catacombe of St. Callixtus) where there were
five levels of galleries containing a half million tombs. As being one of the largest of the catacombes in Rome, this was the place
where sixteen popes from the second to the fourth centuries were entombed as well as up to fifty early Christian martyrs. One
of the tombs that both Céline and Thérèse venerated was the tomb of St. Cecilia, who was one of the saints, if not thee saint,
that Céline was most devoted to. Even though her remains were removed between 817 to 824 A.D., they each laid down in her
Loculi (burial niches) to show their devotion to her.
One of the highlights of their visits to the famous places in Rome was the Scala-Santa (Holy Stairs) which was brought over
from Jerusalem by St. Helena. The stairs are famously known as the steps that led up to the praetorian of Pontius Pilate which
Jesus stood on his way to his trial. For both Céline and Thérèse, it was an honor to walk up the same steps that Jesus himself
walked. Their next stop was the Mamertine prison, which is best known as the place where St. Peter and Paul stayed prior to
their martyrdom. There the girls both paid their respects.
Their next destination brought them to the Basilica di Santa Croce in Gerusalemme (Holy Cross of Jerusalem). The basilica is
widely known as the place where pieces of the cross and nails relating to Jesus Christ, which had been brought back by St.
Helena from the Holy Land, and for the relics of Saints Caesarius and Anastasius. With much adoration, the Martin family
viewed the relics of Jesus Christ with pristine honor and reverence. Thérèse was given the opportunity to touch one of the nails.
On November 20th, it was set for the Martin family and the rest of the pilgrims for the pontifical audience at the Vatican with
Pope Leo XIII. At eight o’clock in the morning, the Pope appeared in the Sala Clementina (Hall of the Papal Audiences). He
ascended to the altar and proceeded with the Latin Papal Mass. Once the Mass was concluded, the Pope left the Hall and went to
an adjoining room to receive each one of the pilgrims for their Papal blessing. When they entered the Old Audience Chamber,
Céline nudged Thérèse to speak to the Pope about entering the Carmel. It was Céline who encouraged her to act on this great
opportunity to do so. Céline took the lead and went ahead of Thérèse to receive the Papal blessing first. After Céline had received
the Pope’s blessing, it was Thérèse’s turn. As Thérèse received her blessing, she looked at Céline and then asked the Pope for
his permission to enter the Carmel. Not receiving the answer she expected, her eyes filled with tears and she was then carried
away by the Swiss Guards and escorted out of the room. Both Louis and Céline tried to console her great disappointment for
not receiving the Pope’s permission. Once they left the Vatican, they went back to their hotel.
The next day, the Martin family left Rome and boarded the train to Montecassino. Upon arriving, they traveled to the Abbazia di
Montecassino (Monte Cassino Monastery). It is most famously known for housing the relics of St. Benedict and his sister St.
Scholastica. They paid reverence to the Saints’ relics. After leaving Abbazia di Montecassino, their next destination was Pompeii.
Due to the inclement weather in Pompeii, they were only allowed to view the ruins from the devastation of the volcano nearby.
Once viewing the ruins, the Martin family set off for Naples. To their destination, Certosa di San Martino (St. Martin's
Charterhouse), they were able to view the priceless art and artifacts that adorned the monastery, which now is a museum.
When their visit ended in Naples, they traveled back to Rome where they boarded the train, on November 24th, that would take
them back to France.
The morning came and the Martin family got into their carriage to take them to the train station. Once in the carriage, Mgr.
Legoux joined them to speak to Thérèse about the conversation she had with the Pope. After their arriving at the train station,
they boarded the train heading to the Northern part of Italy and making a stop in Assisi to visit St. Frances’s monastery. There
they viewed the priceless frescoes that adorned the walls of the church as well as paying their adoration to the relics of the
famous saint.
Boarding the train once more, they stopped in Florence. Both Céline and Thérèse kneeled before the tomb of St. Mary Magdalen
of Pazzi and prayed for her intercession. The “Pazzi”, which is commonly known for the religious complex, is now a museum.
The pilgrims then traveled back to Assisi where the train was waiting for them to make a couple more brief stops to Pisa and
Genoa. Once in Pisa, Céline and Thérèse went to see La Torre di Pisa (the leaning tower of Pisa) which is the bell tower for the
cathedral. They climbed the steps of the tower and reached the top to take in the view of Pisa.
After making their final stop in Genoa, they boarded the train home to France. Prior to arriving in Paris, they stopped in
Marseilles and went to the highest natural point in the city where the basilica Notre Dame de la Garde (Our Lady of the Watch)
was located. The basilica, traditionally known as being dedicated to the “Good Mother” and “Guardian of the Seafarers”, not
only allowed Céline and Thérèse time to pray and pay reverence to Our Lady. It also gave them a breathtaking view of the entire
city that was located below them.
Leaving Marseilles, they made their last pilgrimage stop in Lyons. In Lyons, they went to the Basilique Notre-Dame de Fouvière
(Basilica of Our Lady of Fouvière). The Basilica was erected in honor of Our Lady as a thank you from the citizens of that city
for saving them from the plague in the mid 1600’s. The Basilica is perched on top of one of the highest points in the city called
Fouvière Hill. Céline and Thérèse were able to view the city with a great view of Lyons and pay reverence to Our Lady.
On December 2nd, the Martin family finally arrived in Paris. They said their goodbyes and boarded another train back to Lisieux.
As soon as they arrived home, Céline and Thérèse went to the Carmelite monastery to see their sisters Marie and Pauline. Both
Céline and Thérèse discussed with their sisters the highlights of their trip to Rome. But the topic that was focused on most
between the sisters was Therese’s entrance into Carmel.
All of Céline’s sisters encouraged her up to the very end when the date was set for her entrance. Even Léonie, whom was
forced to leave the Visitation monastery in January of 1888, encouraged her entrance but also reminded her about some of the
pitfalls associated with her decision. Each day leading up to her entrance, Céline and Thérèse were inseparable. Céline helped her
prepare as much as possible all of the things that needed to be done prior to her entrance. When the day came on April 9, 1888,
it was the most difficult time for her to say goodbye to her sister. Céline describes: “I had to support myself unsteadily against
the wall...and yet, I did not cry. I wanted to give her to Jesus with all of my heart; and he, in return, clothed me with his
strength. Ah! How I needed that divine strength! When the door finally closed at the monastery entrance a wall was raised
between our two lives.” (C)
Céline and Léonie attended and helped at their uncle and aunt’s parties, it was an opportunity for them to get out and mingle with
other people. They would not only help with preparation of the food being served but also attend the dances. After Thérèse’s
direct influence over Céline had vanished, due to her entrance, an unforeseen opportunity had arise. Céline, never considering
ever getting married before, was propositioned on the subject by a gentleman that she knew. But Céline thought she was
convinced that her destiny lie always as a religious and not as a wife. At an unforeseen crossroads, she prayed on the subject a
lot, but without ever receiving any signs from God on what direction for her to go, it casted a lot of doubts in her mind about
being a religious. As Céline stated: “I kept telling myself: Isn’t this offer, which is made to me the instant Thérèse leaves me, an
indication of God’s will for me, which I hadn’t foreseen?” (C) Céline had no direction on this subject from her sisters, for they
never had the proposition of marriage come across their own paths. So, she leaned on her sister Thérèse and Fr. Pichon. With
Thérèse’s prayers guiding her and Fr. Pichon commitment of persuading her to stay on the path to religious life, Céline ended the
proposal and continued on with her life.
Louis’s health was deteriorating. The signs of all the strokes he had previously, had taken a toll on his health. Even with Léonie
at her side, Céline’s fear of losing her father became for her a very heavy cross for her to bear.
Bibliography
Piat, Stéphanie Fr. The Story Of A Family: The Home of St. Thérèse of Lisieux. (SF)
Trans: Benedictine of Stanbrook Abbey. Rockford, Ill.: Tan Books and Publishers, Inc., 1948.
Martin, Celine. The Mother of the Little Flower Trans: Fr. Michael Collins, S.M.A. (ML)
Rockford, Ill.: Tan Books and Publishers, Inc. 1957
Martin, Celine. The Father of the Little Flower Trans: Fr. Michael Collins, S.M.A. (FL)
Rockford, Ill.: Tan Books and Publishers, Inc. 1955
Scallan, Dorthy. The Whole World Will Love Me, The Life of St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face (WW)
Edited by Fr. Emeric B. Scallan, S.T.B. Rockford, Ill. Tan Books and Publishers, Inc. 1954
---. CÉLINE: Sister Geneviève of the Holy Face. Trans: The Carmelite Sisters of the Eucharist of Colchester, Conn. San Francisco: Ignatius Press, 1997. (C)
Copyright © 2005-10 by r hann All Rights Reserved
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| "Touching someone's heart in just a little way makes the day go by much brighter" |
| Sister Genevieve of the Holy Face Marie Celine Martin "Beloved Holy Face" |
| Our Lady of the Smile |
April 28, 1869-February 25, 1959
Written by: R. Hann