St. Zélie the Lacemaker
Discover the expertise of St. Thérèse’s mother for her feast day.
St. Zélie Martin ran a successful lacemaking business, and her husband St. Louis helped her run it.
Amid the stressful day-to-day of being a businesswoman and busy mom, she wrote of
“orders coming in one after the other that don’t allow me a moment’s rest. I have almost a hundred meters of Alençon lace to make. Last week I received more orders, totaling more than 15,000 francs” (April 24, 1872).
Famous Origins
The type of lace St. Zélie made originated in Alençon, France, where Zélie and Louis lived and worked (and where their daughter St. Thérèse was born) from about 60 miles from the Martin family’s better-known home in Lisieux.
Characterized by a mesh background, this lace:
- incorporates pattern motifs, especially flowers, and
- is filled with decorative elements.
The technique was preserved by local Carmelite nuns.
St. Zélie’s feast day, which she shares with her husband St. Louis, is July 12.
Outfits Inspired by Zélie
Consider some fashion recommendations for the feast day.
“On a basic level, I share about wearing lace and metallic pieces (especially chain-link) to reflect how Louis surrendered his work to support Zélie’s lace business. Wear darker tones, which reflect the garments they wore (example, Zélie’s black wedding dress per the custom of the time) and their seasons of trial as they persevered through great suffering, including the loss of four children at infancy,” Mary Harper of Liturgical Style told the Register.
Saintly Sewing
St. Thérèse learned how to sew from her mother.
The good Lord does not do things by halves; He always gives what we need. Let us then carry on bravely. | St. Zélie
Amy Smith Amy Smith is a Register senior editor who edits devotions and features for print and online. Fueled by prayer and coffee, she enjoys writing about everything from Jane Austen to saints for the Register. She is the author of The Plans God Has for You: Hopeful Lessons for Young Women (Emmaus Road Publishing). Her writing has also appeared in various other Catholic publications. She has a master’s degree in journalism and a B.A. in English.
