By Sister Marie-Bernard, M.I.C.M.
Saint Joan Of Arc: Maid of Orleans
Like a phoenix rising from the smoldering ashes of an all but extinguished monarchy, the ravaged country of France emerged in 1431, united and restored to power by a 19-year-old girl, who was known as the “Maid of Orleans.” This girl’s ability to raise troops and her military successes are spiritual phenomena that attest to the fact that all power comes from God and that if He so wills it, He will raise leaders from the very rocks of the earth. Her mission was not so much to vindicate the King, but to liberate and unite her countrymen, who appealed to Heaven for deliverance from the tyranny of the King’s selfishness and the threat of England’s ambitions. Her feats of valor, enrolled forever in history, stand unmatched and timeless. Her fame has spread throughout the world, for no story compares to the heroic life of Joan of Arc.
Joan’s sudden rise from an obscure life on a farm to the position of general in her nation’s army is nothing short of miraculous. In an unprecedented wave of enthusiasm, the French people who had been crushed from years of defeat came from all over the country to greet this little girl of sixteen, who was their sole hope of liberation. She rode at the head of an army of men twice her size and many times her strength. She gained incredible victories over insurmountable odds. Enemies who were entrenched in French cities for years were defeated in weeks by this country maid. She was sent by God to deliver her people and nothing could stop her. Sacrificing her personal comfort and safety, she gave everything she had to accomplish this mission, even life itself. She was the hero of her country, a military genius, and an angelic warrior. But above all, she was a pious peasant and true to the values of the pious peasant. Her intense faith in God became the salvation of France. No joy can compare with the joy of serving the Almighty.
"She was a perfect Christian and a true Catholic."
Saint Joan's Childhood
In the French province of Lorraine which lies south of Vaucouleurs beside the Meuse River is the village of Domremy. It was here on January 6th, the Feast of the Epiphany, in the year 1412, that the second daughter of Jacques and Isabelle d’ Arc was born. She was their fifth child and they christened her “Joan.”
Her early childhood was very much like that of the other children in her little village. She and her brothers and sister grew up together sharing a life full of laughter, fun and sweet, simple piety. Although she never had formal schooling, she learned the “Hail Mary,” “Our Father” and “Creed” at her mother’s knee. She was also well instructed in the doctrines and practices of the Church and all that was needed to lead a good Christian life. At the age of seven she made her first Confession and soon after, her first Communion. A deep love for the Holy Eucharist grew within her and whenever possible, she would go to Mass and receive Holy Communion. When she was unable to go she would often kneel in the fields at the sound of the church bell calling one to Mass or to pray the Angelus.
Most of her early childhood was spent with her brothers in the field watching the family flock, but as she grew older she spent time spinning, sewing or helping her father in the garden. She was a hard-working, lively child, who loved to spend her free hours playing with her little friends or weaving garlands of wild flowers to festoon Our Lady’s statue in the church.
As her character blossomed, her strong faith and simple piety, manifested by her love of the poor and sick, drew the attention of the neighbors and friends. Her spirit of self denial was unique for a child so young. Joan would often sleep on the bare floors at night, having given up her bed to wayfarers who craved lodging in her father’s house. Another characteristic conspicuous in Joan was her deep sense of duty. When the bell ringer of the church was careless of his duty, she would often coax and bribe him with handfuls of wool from her sheep, to ring his bell more punctually.
In this contented home, Joan of Arc grew up, enriched with virtue and a simple peasant’s faith. She was well built like a farm girl, strong and lithe, as finely proportioned physically as she was morally. The village curé, when asked about her, said she was “a perfect Christian and a true Catholic.”
A Cowering Nation
But despite the pleasant country life, times were not good for France. Ravaged by 100 years of political strife, known as the “Hundred Years War” between France and the invading forces of England, people became accustomed to unannounced invasions, resulting in death and social instability. Although the war was at an end by 1425, the havoc it had wreaked caused hopeless confusion and division among the French people. The jealous cousin of the Dauphin, the Duke of Burgundy, and his powerful forces of Burgundians had allied themselves with the King of England and were a fatal threat to the unity and allegiance of the French people. Two-thirds of the country were influenced by the English invaders under their municipal control.
The loyal suffering minority were yearning for unity under the true King of France, Charles VII, who although the legitimate King, reigned only in name, as he had never been crowned. Unfortunately he was surrounded by advisors who sought their own comfort at the expense of the French nation. As long as he remained uncrowned France was “up for grabs” by any army that ventured onto its land and staked a claim through battle for the King of England. They were at the point of demoralization and offered little resistance because of the apathy of the government at large.
Though the village of Domremy escaped major battle scars, retaining its quiet, slow moving pace, news and fear of the invading English was well known to its peaceful inhabitants. During Joan’s childhood, Domremy had been invaded by Burgundians and the village families had averted bloodshed by quickly taking refuge outside of the town. Often in the fields children would discuss the stories they heard told at home of the weak and cowardly King and what battles were won and which ones were lost. They would re-enact their favorite warriors and their feats. Hearts would flare up in patriotism, and with childish bravado they would pledge that they would save their country. Little did they realize that from among their little playmates God would call the one who would be the glory of their country.
Saint Joan of Arc Collect of the Mass
O God, who didst raise up the Blessed Maiden Joan to defend Faith and fatherland, grant to us, we beseech Thee,
by her intercession,
that Thy Church,
overcoming the snares of the enemy,
may rejoice in a perpetual peace.
Through
Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen.