MEMORIAL: MAY 30
Joan of Arc was born in the 15th century in northeast France to a peasant farmer during the Hundred Years War between France and England. As a teenager, Joan had visions of St. Michael the Archangel. She also had visions of St. Catherine and St. Margaret – both women who were professed virgins that died martyrs. Inspired by these women, Joan promised her virginity to God as well. Inspired by a prophecy that claimed a virgin with a banner would lead France to victory over the English, Joan petitioned to lead a part of the French army. She was refused on two occasions. Meanwhile, a French Duke sought for her to see if she could miraculously heal him. Instead, Joan rebuked him for living with his mistress.
On her third attempt, she was permitted to speak with the heir to the throne, and after a verification of her theology and virginity, the French nobility allowed Joan to lead the army against England to see if she truly was the person through which God would liberate France. As Joan was brought to the failing front lines, France rallied and drove the oppressing troops back. Joan continued to call for more offensive attacks to rid France of their enemies. France ended up decimating the English armies and Joan was given a place of honor at the coronation of the true King of France.
However, as there was still political turmoil in France, Joan continued to engage in battles with French who supported the English crown. She was injured in some battles and eventually captured. She was sold to the English whom she had previously defeated. They put her on canonical trial for heresy of her dress in male clothes and her visions, claiming she received them from the demonic. The trial was slanted steeply against Joan, but Joan eloquently defended herself. However, she eventually signed a document saying she would never wear men’s clothes again or take up arms as long as she was treated fairly and allowed to receive the sacraments. After signing, she was thrown back into prison, treated poorly, and nearly raped. Because of this she refused to uphold her end of the deal and wore men’s clothes again. She was then sentenced for execution and burned at the stake. She did so while looking at a crucifix. The remains of her body were thrown into the Seine.
A couple of decades later, the Holy See reviewed the case and found all the injustices that had occurred and admitted that the proceedings had been unfair to Joan. In the 19th century, her cause was opened for sainthood, and she was canonized in 1920. She is the patron saint of France.
