St. Luke's Feast Day and Saints Louis and Zelie Martin, St. Therese of Lisieux's Parents, are Canonized!

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WOW!  Today, October 18, was a special day for so many reasons!

It's the feast day of St. Luke, the Evangelist, whose symbol is an ox, the animal of sacrifice, because Luke's gospel begins with Zechariah's sacrifice in the temple. 

I had this tray displayed on our dining room table today.  The book, Saints and Angels: Popular Stories of Familiar Saints, told why the symbol of St. Luke is the ox.  I never knew that until today!  I love the Catholic faith because it's like a bottomless treasure chest filled with gems awaiting to be discovered, learned and embraced! 
The wooden St. Luke peg doll was painted by me for a Saint peg doll exchange I'm participating in.  I'm painting 13 St. Luke dolls and 13 St. Kateri dolls and then at the exchange I'll get 24 other painted Saint peg dolls. 

Today was also the due date for our son Luke (who came one day later on Oct. 19th, 14 years ago! His annual birthday post is coming soon!). Our Luke did eat off his special plate this morning at breakfast before Mass (for his "Name Day" celebration) and before he headed out of town for a soccer game with my husband and his older siblings, but I didn't take a photo during the morning rush out the door to get to mass on time :)   But, I will on his birthday, which is tomorrow!  

Also, today St. Therese of Lisieux's parents, Louis and Zelie Martin, got canonized!  This is historic moment in the Church because they are the first married couple with children to be canonized at the same ceremony.  I look forward to getting to know St. Therese's parents better as they are wonderful role models for parents.  

photo credit

Want to know more about Saints Louis and Zelie Martin?  I do!  Here are a few links I have come across with more information about this amazing couple! I'm sure I'll be adding more links about them here as I come across them for my own reference and for any readers that may find them helpful and interesting. 

The miracle behind the canonization of the parents of St Therese of Lisieux (Catholic News Agency)

Commemorating the Canonization of the Parents of Saint Therese, Saints Louis and Zelie Martin (beautiful post by Jessica at Shower of Roses with ideas to celebrate this feast day and links to resources!)

FREE Sts. Louis and Zelie Martin Coloring Page (drawn by Aleesa at Life, Love, & Sacred Art )

 Humble Servants: The Canonization of Louis and Zelie Martin (Fr. Carl Markelz and Fr. Raul Maravi attended the canonization of Sts. Louis and Zelie Martin. They  their experience and pictures.)
 

Dear Saints Louis and Zélie Martin,

Today we turn to you in prayer.
By fulfilling the duties of your state in life
and practicing the evangelical virtues
as spouses and as parents,
you have modeled for us
an exemplary Christian life.

May the example
of your unwavering trust in God
and your constant willingness to surrender
all the joys, the trials,
the sorrows and the sufferings
that filled your life
encourage us to persevere
in our daily challenges
and to remain in joy and Christian hope.
Amen.