Louis and Zélie Martin: promoting vocations in those close to us

What is the best way to promote vocations? Is it by directly talking with specific young people? Is it by handing out pamphlets and books? Or maybe by helping young people have a conversion experience at a high-powered retreat or Youth Spectacular?

Certainly, each of these ways can effectively touch young people and persuade them to consider giving their lives to God.

We’re zealous to make a difference in the church by helping bring young people to realize their vocation, which is definitely an excellent desire. But vocations are realized and followed, even without many of the things we might think are “essential” to vocations work.

So, what is essential?

Maybe a look at some preeminent examples of successful vocation promoters is the best way to learn; after all, they did it well and have something to teach us.
Blessed Louis and Zélie Martin were the parents of nine children, though only five daughters survived early childhood. All five daughters went on to become religious sisters, the most well known being St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus.

Though it may be tempting to dismiss the example of these heroic parents as “pie in the sky,” those who have studied their lives know that they are brilliant examples for modern parents, teachers, mentors or anyone who has influence in the lives of young people. They were down-to-earth people who experienced the same struggles in life as all of us—and possibly more than many.

Louis and Zélie Martin were both devoted Catholics who put God first in everything, from their families and work to their social lives. They both ran successful, if demanding, small businesses—Louis was a watchmaker and jeweler and Zélie was maker of fine lace. They loved their children dearly and maintained a very close family life.

Prayer and the sacraments were of great importance; the family prayed and read scripture together daily, and the older children often accompanied their parents to daily Mass. St. Thérèse remembers wanting to receive Our Lord in Holy Communion at an early age because she wanted to be united to Him. What excellent work her parents did to help their children know God at the earliest ages.

Because of their devotion to God and the church, the Martins made frequent donations to the local convents. Louis loved to fish, and he would often give his catch to the sisters, delivering it personally with one or more of his daughters. On these visits, the sisters would spend time with the family, which helped to stir up the desire for religious life in the Martin girls.

The “vocations work” of Louis and Zélie can be summed up simply as devout Christian living. We see very little in their lives of active promotion of the religious life—and yet all five daughters went on to become religious sisters. It appears that they had very little need to “talk up” vocations with their children, as their lived faith and frequent contact with religious sisters provided enough impetus.

What does this mean for us?

First, we have to put things into context. Our times are certainly different, and the visibility of religious and priests in public life is not nearly as prominent as it was in late 19th century France. Also, though public faith had been largely destroyed by the French revolutions earlier in the century, most people probably had a much closer familiarity with the church than many of our young people do today.

But these things don’t change the fact that, for the Martin sisters and every Catholic youth, one of the best means of promoting vocations is to have good relationships with people who live our Catholic faith devoutly, especially providing an example of prayer and good works. This is one of the most essential elements for good discernment—and it is much easier to attract youth to give themselves to God’s service by example than by “talking up” vocations.

Certainly, many means are useful and effective for promoting vocations, even if they may not be essential. But it’s a simple fact that the majority of religious and priests say that a very strong factor in their discernment was the good example of faithful Catholics living out their own vocations.

In our own life, how can we live joyful faith and service to God more, so that we can be the example our young people need to encourage them to live the vocations to which God is calling them?