Every May 30, the Catholic Church celebrates Saint Joan of Arc15th century French peasant, heroine and mystic.
For many centuries her figure was a source of controversy until, thanks to a broader and more reliable view, the “Maid of Orleans” was vindicated and her sanctity recognized.
Receive the main news from ACI Prensa by WhatsApp and Telegram
It is increasingly difficult to see Catholic news on social media. Subscribe to our free channels today:
Despite the shortness of her life – she died at the age of 19 – Juana perfectly understood something that is elusive to most human beings: that although our nature is fragile and weak, it is also capable, with the grace of God, of achieving the summits of virtue and nobility of spirit.
Saint Joan of Arc became a docile instrument in the hands of the Almighty to change the hearts of many, who, leaving aside fears and pettiness, were able to give their best to defend what God gave them. It is enough to remember the words of the saint in front of those who condemned her to death: “I have not done anything that has not been ordered to me by God or his angels.”
Symbol of a nation
Today, Saint Joan of Arc is recognized as the Patroness of France. She could not be otherwise, for she played a decisive role as leader of her nation and protector of the faith of her people. In her most difficult moments, Juana was a testimony to the power of prayer and love for the Church, even at the risk of losing her life.
Saint Joan of Arc was born in 1412 in Domrémy (France). She was a materially poor girl, but very aware of being the possessor of the greatest treasure: faith in Jesus Christ. Despite her youth, she established a close and deep relationship with the Lord, which led her to become a pious girl, given to prayer and assiduity with the sacraments, always willing to serve those who had less than her. .
Within the family, he acquired what would be the pillars of his life: solidarity and welcome, love of the countryside and shepherding. Her early years were spent in her town, where pilgrims frequently visited, so Juana was frequently seen treating travelers with kindness and Christian charity.
“Life on earth is eternal warfare” (Jb 7:1)
Joan’s peaceful life took a violent turn when England invaded France. French cities and towns were falling one after another and Charles VII, the French Dauphin, seemed unable to contain the invasion. His continued failures had dented the prince’s image and were perceived as proof that all was lost.
In this context, Juana, at her precocious fourteen years, begins her spiritual journey. She found in prayer the strength she needed to be strengthened and accompany those close to her, victims of desolation.
While pessimism suffocated the hearts of many, theirs expanded with confidence in Christ. Suddenly he began to have mystical experiences. Saint Michael the Archangel, Saint Catherine of Siena and Saint Margaret appear to Juana, who entrust her, in the name of God, to “save France.” She understands that she has been chosen for a great mission and embraces divine Providence, embarking on the path to meet the future Charles VII.
“Maid of Orleans”
After overcoming many obstacles, Juana manages to be received in audience by the French Dauphin. It is said that he posed as a courtier to disconcert her, but she quickly located him and spoke to him with authority. How persuasive Juana’s words must have been before the court that the Dauphin agrees to send her with her troops. Then, she leaves in command of the expedition that would confront the English in the city of Orleans.
Thus, the day would come when the French army encountered the invader. Before the battle, Juana led the royal armies. She on her horse strongly harangued the men, full of trust in God, while she carried a banner with the names of Jesus and Mary. Moved by what they saw in her eyes, the soldiers prepared to give their all in battle.
After the arduous battle, Orleans was recovered. Juana had achieved a resounding victory that she attributed to the hand of God. Thanks to that victory, the figure of the Dauphin was able to recover and facilitate his coronation: Charles VII, king of France. The kingdom would be held together, strengthened by faith in Christ.
Saint Joan had successfully completed the mission that God had entrusted to her.
The bonfire
What would happen later with the French armies was very far from definitive military victory.
The unease that this situation generated produced tensions between the saint and the country’s royalty. Not long after, Juana would be captured on the battlefield by the Burgundians – allies of the English – who sold her to the invading army.
To put an end to her, the English subjected her to a summary trial, accused of witchcraft and heresy. The judges did not grant her the right to defend herself and limited themselves to determining that the legends and rumors about the young woman were all true, even Juana’s mystical experiences were described as diabolical revelations.
Saint Joan of Arc would be condemned to the stake as a heretic and renegade. On May 30, 1431 she was taken to the market square of Rouen, where her martyrdom and execution would take place. The Maid of Orleans died looking at the cross that stood before her, while firmly repeating the holy name of Jesus. She was only nineteen years old.
The light of justice
Pope Calixtus III, years later, appointed a commission to examine what happened to Juana. Unfortunately, the University of Paris, which claimed the right to control papal affairs, and whose members supported the last antipope, Felix V, contributed to the discredit into which the saint fell. Many centuries would pass until her image was fully rehabilitated.
Juana’s sword was never stained with blood, denying those voices that turned her into a murderer; Her leadership was always spiritual and moral. During the battles in which she participated she kept praying, leaning on her famous banner.
Joan of Arc, with her fight, saved France from being annexed to England, with which the country would possibly have been involved in the schism that Henry VIII produced decades later after breaking with Rome and forming the Anglican Church.
Saint Joan of Arc was finally canonized by Pope Benedict XV in 1920.
…
If you want to know more about Saint Joan of Arc, we recommend that you read this article from the Catholic Encyclopedia: https://ec.aciprensa.com/wiki/Juana_de_Arco.
More information:
Central Editorial
The Catholic Information Agency – ACI Prensa, is part of the news agencies of the ACI Group, one of the largest generators of Catholic news content in five languages and which has belonged since June 2014 to the EWTN Global Catholic Network family, the largest Catholic television network in the world, founded in 1981 by Mother Angelica in Irondale, Alabama (United States), and which reaches more than 85 million homes in 110 countries and 16 territories.