St. Genevieve
by Celine Martin

Céline Martin, the next older sister of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, was perhaps the most artistic sibling in a house full of artistic people. She did a lot of painting and drawing and took most of the photographs we have of her sister. Just before she chose the convent life, her father was making arrangements for her to study art in Paris. She clearly could have had a fine career in the arts. According to the Archives at the Carmel in Lisieux, Celine did this charcoal drawing in 1883, at the age of 14. We wonder if they meant 1893, for even at 24 this would have been splendid work. (www.archives-carmel-lisieux.fr)

In the convent, Céline took the name of Genevieve of the Holy Face. St. Genevieve herself is one of the main Saints of France, from early medieval times. She was widely known in her day for her holiness. When Attila the Hun was sweeping through France, she implored her fellow citizens of Paris to pray and do penance. They did, and Paris was spared. Later, she influenced the pagan king of France, Clovis. Along with his Christian wife, Clotilda, they helped him convert. As his kingdom expanded, Medieval Christendom was born, of which you and I are in some ways the spiritual descendants. Genevieve died in 512. Her feast is January 3. Besides being the Patron Saint of Paris, she is also a Patron Saint of Young Girls.
(sources: martinsisters.org & newadvent.org)



Archival Quality: We print this on special, off-white cotton paper which looks great with Céline's charcoal. Acid-free with archival pigments to last for generations when kept dry and out of the direct sun.

** IMPORTANT ** THE IMAGE IS SMALLER THAN THE PAPER! There is a white border of about 0.5" inch for 5x7", 1.3" for 8.5x11", or 1.6" for 11x14" pictures. All Approx! Fine art printers do this because the images are almost never the same rectangular ratio of the standard paper sizes. It also gives the prints a finished look, and lets them look good in a frame without a matt.

- Acid-free paper
- Archival pigments, rated to last for generations.
- Cardboard backer
- Above story of the art
- Enclosed in a tight-fitting, crystal clear bag.

Thanks for your interest!

Thanks!
Sue & John

"In order to communicate the message entrusted to her by Christ, the Church needs art." ~ St. Pope John Paul II

Original image is out-of-copyright. Descriptive text and image alterations (hence the whole new image) © by Sue Kouma Johnson - CatholicArtAndJewelry.