Still-grimage
If you can travel to another place beyond your usual routine, somewhere that takes you into unfamiliar beauty, I think you should. It's a worthy expense that you will never regret. Immersing yourself in holy places connects you with the universality of our faith. Walking in the actual footsteps of the saints is an experience of integration of the body and soul. We move our bodies through a tangible course of sacred places, and our hearts and souls open in new and profound ways. Of course, who has resources for a pilgrimage when a dozen eggs costs $17? And of course, God is everywhere, and you can find Him anywhere you happen to be.
In the last ten minutes I've invented the term "still-grimage": you know, like "stay-cation," but make it holy. You can set aside a designated day, afternoon, or even just a few hours to make a still-grimage in your home, or maybe at a nearby park, or a local chapel.
Pilgrimages are punctuated with beautiful art and writing for contemplation. Of course, pilgrimage often includes contact with the saints in their own homes, convents, towns, and in their own words. Here is a quick roundup of helpers for a still-grimage with St Zélie Martin.
Art
Our daughter is named for Zélie. We chose this name long before we ever knew we would have a daughter. In fact, I had imagined a daughter named Zélie for so long that I almost felt as though there couldn't be another possibility. When we learned our first child would be a boy, it surprised me. When our own Zélie was born, I painted the red painting above for her room. I chose red, pink, and purple to symbolically reference various motifs of St Zélie's life: roses, the liturgical color of suffering, love, the heart of the home.
Poetry
Your fingers pricked by needles
as you, the artist, spun your lace—
these are the hands I want to borrow
to stir my pots and sweep my floors.
You climbed from your husband’s bed
each sunrise to meet your Lover,
the Doctor who healed your mortality
instead of your parched breasts.
I will name my firstborn after you.
I will read your letters and sighs.
I will look into your dark eyes,
looking
for the grace I saw you employ
like another apprentice in your workshop
while you watered the garden of roses
you planted for
the Bridegroom.
Composed 2001, train from Lisieux to Paris
Reading
These are some books I have loved about Zélie:
The Story of a Family: The Home of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux: When Colin gave me this book one Christmas, I admit that the sappy cover design turned me off. I am a design snob, it turns out. I could only dread the goody-two-shoes syrup that awaited me on the pages. When I finally cracked it open with a sigh, I didn't put it down again for a week. I'm talking a one-handed week, y'all. Now, I am admittedly predisposed to love anything related to Thérèse, so this extremely thorough biography of her family appealed to me right away. What I really loved about this book, though, wasn't the part devoted specifically to Thérèse. The first few chapters delved into the life stories of both Zélie and Thérèse's father, Louis, referencing their personal letters and journals in a way that made it possible for a lazy American working mom to feel connected to two of the holiest people who ever ate baguettes.
A Family of Saints: The Martins of Lisieux: This is the updated edition of the book above.
A Call to a Deeper Love: The Family Correspondence of the Parents of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus: Zélie wrote prolific letters that are a treasury of insight into how a saint navigates life, with all its ordinary stress and complications and all its wonders.
Mothers of the Saints: This is one of my favorite books of all time, where I first read about Zélie. It is now out of print, but no worries—you can usually find used copies. I love the very simple, no-frills biographies of about a dozen women who reared future saints or were canonized themselves. The real gem in this book is the end of each chapter, where the author lists several "For Your Life" bullet points of practical applications drawn from these women's lives. I love giving this book as a gift for wedding or baby showers.
Louis and Zélie Martin: The Seed and Root of the Little Flower
The Story of a Soul: This Thérèse's autobiography, but it contains some wonderful firsthand anecdotes and insights into her parents' lives and habits.
Visit
Someday when you are able (because someday, somehow, you will), go to Lisieux. It's an easy day trip from Paris, about two hours by train and faster in a car, and worthy of your time. You can visit all the relevant sites and be back in Paris for dinner. Zélie is buried together with her husband, Louis, in the crypt of the Basilique du Sainte-Therese. Set under arches of glittering, candlelit mosaics, their golden tomb bears a cast of their wedding rings and relief scenes of their marriage and family life. While the entire enormous white basilica is exquisite, I especially love the intimacy and stillness of this area. It feels holy, but approachable—maybe a little like Zélie herself.
“The good Lord does not do things by halves; He always gives what we need. Let us then carry on bravely.”
+St Zélie Martin
_______________
Would you like help adding a sacred layer your next trip? Make your travels deeper and unforgettable with a customized travel guide. Your guide will include journal prompts, reflection insights, spiritual quotes, and Catholic points of interest personalized for your family's or group's specific destination. Contact me. I'd love to create something to help you find the sacred wherever you go. I also offer speaking and presenting for your group's next retreat, day of reflection, or event.
_______________
Comments