St. Joan of Arc

St. Joan of Arc is considered by many a heroine in both France and the community of saints. But this humble servant, called “the handmaid of Orléans” is a true example of following God with a simple, bold obedience. One of her most well-known sayings is, “Go forward bravely. Fear nothing. Trust in God; all will be well.” Her feast day is May 30.

Born of a peasant family in 1412 at Domrémy in northeast France, St. Joan’s call to the sainthood came through the saints themselves. At 13-years-old, she had a vision in which she heard the voices of St. Michael the Archangel, St. Catherine of Alexandria and St. Margaret of Antioch, also known as St. Marina. They all encouraged her on the path of holiness to prepare her for her mission.

St. Catherine and St. Margaret schooled St. Joan inmself-control until she was 17, at which time St. Michael “took the lead” and laid out the plan in which she would lead France out of British domination. With divine oversite, St. Joan went into an English controlled area of France and despite opposition from others, persuaded a local official to let her meet embattled King Charles VII in 1429 to persuade him to lead the French in battle to overcome the British.

King Charles allowed her to lead a small army. His seemingly small act of faith in Joan opened the way to ultimate victory. 

As she charged into battle, St. Joan carried a banner which contained a field sewn with lilies on it; the world was depicted on it; and two angels on each side. On it were written the names “Jhesus Maria.”

She led the French troops to recapture the cities of Orléans and Troyes. King Charles reclaimed the crown in 1429.

St. Joan of Arc, herself, achieved her greatest heavenly crown of victory when she was captured in May, 1430 year near Compiegne. She was sold to the British and imprisoned.

She was put on a politically motivated trial before bishops and theologians from English and Burgundian cities she had recently attacked. The saint was sentenced to death for, among other charges, heresy, witchcraft and for violating divine law by dressing like a man.

Not afraid to die, St. Joan said, “But to surrender who you are and to live without belief is more terrible than dying – even more terrible than dying young.”

On May 30, 1431, St. Joan was burned at the stake at the age of 19. In the morning, she was allowed to receive Communion even though she had been excommunicated for heresy.

Tradition says St. Joan called out to her three saints while burning at the stake, and as she was losing consciousness, she called out to Jesus.

Time would vindicate St. Joan. In a retrial about 25 years after St. Joan’s death, she was found innocent of the charges. The court, in fact, ordered that a cross should be erected on the site of where St. Joan was burned.

Pope Benedict XV canonized St. Joan in May 16, 1920. She is the patron saint of France, captives, soldiers and those ridiculed for their piety.

But St. Joan did not need earthly vindication, as her fiery faith, love of the sacraments and compassion of the poor continues to enkindle the faith of people today. 

In her own words, “Hope in God, if you have good hope and faith in him, he shall deliver you from your enemies.”