Joan of Arc was only about 12 years old, a big help to her mother in their home in Domremy, France, and a help to her father watching their sheep. At that young age Joan began to hear voices talking to her about God and how to please Him. Between twelve and seventeen Joan experienced hearing the voices and sometimes seeing St. Michael, the archangel, St. Catherine of Alexandria , and St. Margaret of Antioch. Eventually these saints convinced Joan that she must help Charles, the Dauphin, heir to the throne of France, to recover his throne which had been usurped by the British and their French allies. The two nations, France and Britain, were deep into the Hundred Years’ War and England’s King HenryV had laid claim to the French crown. Domremy was one of the the few villages that remained loyal to Charles.

Juxtaposing the political landscape with the interior landscape of a peasant girl visionary isn’t easy, but the two came together in Joan’s recognition of the need to free the city of Orleans of the British, and her unique capacity to predict such things as the location of a sword hidden in a church, the cause of Charles’ reluctance to move forward, and the necessary timing of the assault on Orleans. Joan, who could not read or write, had the understanding of a general as she led Charles’ army to victory at Orleans.

After that there were other battles. Joan accompanied Charles to Reims Cathedral for his coronation in front of a jubilant crowd.

Joan was eventually captured by the Burgundians, allies of the British, and turned over to the British by the churchmen who interrogated her. She was burned at the stake in Rouen in 1431.

There had been a prophesy in France that a woman would destroy the nation, and that a young virgin would restore it. There was no doubt that the destroying woman was Charles’ own mother, who spread the rumor that Charles was illegitimate, leaving him paralyzed with uncertainty. Joan acknowledged Charles first as Dauphin and then as King Charles VII. After Orleans and other victories, there was not a thought of his legitimacy. It took twenty more years for France to rid itself entirely of the British, but most historians say that it would never have happened at all without Joan.

Joan brought no material advantage to her task. She was an inspiration injecting hope where there was only despair, courage where there was nothing but fear, trust where there had been only doubt. She paid with her life to bring about these changes, which have endured for all these centuries. Do not be afraid or terrified . . . for the Lord our God goes with you; He will never leave you or forsake you. (Deuteronomy 31:6)

Joan died with Jesus’ name on her lips.

Love in Him,

Prue