“Go forward bravely. Fear nothing. Trust in God; all will be well.”
These wise words are from a teenager more than 600 years ago.
Saint Joan of Arc answered God’s call to stand up for her country during the “Hundred Years’ War” between France and England to bring unity to her homeland.
The story of her will, determination, and unbreakable faith has been told in many books and movies through the years.
Joan of Arc was a humble shepherdess, and youngest of five children in a hardworking Catholic family. She was born on January 6, 1412, in France. She didn’t know life without the raging war around her.
When she reached her teen years, she prayed wholeheartedly for the unification and freedom of France, her beloved homeland, from the British. Two years into her dedicated prayer she saw visions and voices calling her to help restore the throne. Records indicate St. Michael the Archangel, St. Margaret of Antioch, and St. Catherine of Alexandria appeared to her urging her to do whatever she could to get Charles VII to the throne as quickly as possible for the sake of unity for her country.
When she tried to approach the royal court, they turned her away time and time again, as you can imagine because she was so young and a female too. However, she earned their attention when she predicted a horrible blow to France near Orleans. Further, to obtain complete trust of Charles, thanks to divine intervention, she was able to recite to him his private prayer intentions.
He sent her into the most important battles, where she demanded the soldiers must stop cursing, go to confession, and attend Mass, noting if they did these things, they would come out victors. She did not back down to her haters for she knew she was ultimately being sent by God.
The teen was not only a beautiful role model for courage, but also of trust and faith in God no matter what turmoil or difficulty you face in life.
As seen in artist portrayals of the saint, she is typically on a white horse, carrying a banner, and wearing shiny armor, leading the Frenchmen into battle.
When Charles VII was crowned King of France, he had Joan at his side. According to stories, it was jealous French soldiers who turned her over to the enemy. Saint Joan of Arc was found guilty of heresy and was burnt at the stake at the age of 19 in 1431.
Nearly three decades after her death Pope Callixtus III issued a retrial at the urging of the mother of Joan of Arc. The original ruling was overturned and the saint was declared innocent and a martyr for the faith.
Saint Joan of Arc was canonized in 1920 by Pope Benedict XV. She is the patron of France, captives, and soldiers. Her feast day is May 30.
Editor’s note: the image accompanying this article is by Frank Godwin as seen in The Book of Courage by Hermann Hagedorn.
