Pope canonizes first married couple in modern times

The Martins had nine children.

“The holy spouses Louis Martin and Marie-Azelie Guerin practiced Christian service in the family, creating, day by day, an environment of faith and love”, he told worshippers. She was made a saint in 1925 and in 1944 Pope Pius XII proclaimed her the co-patroness of France along with Joan of Arc.

As part of their canonisation, the couple had to be found to have performed two miracles.

In an interview with Paris-Match this week, the pontiff described the couple as “evangelists… who opened their door” to those in need in a period in which “a certain bourgeoisie ethic was contemptuous of the poor”. The remaining five, all girls, became nuns.

“It’s the first time a couple have been canonized as a couple, and this is a lovely sign for Christian families, who often… have to go against the grain, especially in the West, to live and educate their children… with that love that God has given us in Christ”, said the Rev. Romano Gambalunga, the postulator who followed the saint-making case through. “Their example can be a staff to lean on”.

Louis and Zelie Martin met in 1858 after he had failed to become a monk and she to become a nun.

Francis is particularly devoted to the 19th century French Carmelite nun, fondly known as “The Little Flower”, who died at the age of 24 in 1897 and was later honoured with the title doctor of the church.

Her writings influenced people as disparate as popes and Beat Generation author Jack Kerouac.

Francis has said he carries one of the saint’s books in his black travelling bag and turns to her for help and guidance.

But they needed another miracle for their elevation to sainthood.

Pope Francis called Saturday for a Catholic Church that is far more decentralized, where the laity play a greater role, bishops conferences take care of certain problems and even the papacy is rethought.

Both Carmen, now 7, and a 12-year-old Italian boy the couple are said to have cured in another miracle, attended the ceremony.