I
wonder if they celebrate her feast day in Rouen?
Remember
when we were there and saw where she was burned at the stake by the marketplace
and the smelly public bathrooms?
St. Joan
of Arc
St. Joan of Arc (1412-1431) was born in France to peasant
parents during the Hundred Years War between France and England. She was as a
pious child, and from age 13 she received numerous visions of saints including
St. Michael, St. Margaret, and St. Catherine. Through these visions, voices,
and other interior promptings Joan understood that she was to help the King of
France in battle.
After overcoming her own reluctance and that of those in
authority over the army and the Church, she led French military in battle. With
her leadership they recaptured Orléans and Troyes, which allowed Charles VII to
be restored to the throne of France. All the while she wore the dress of a
soldier to protect her virtue and modesty.
The following year she was captured by the English, imprisoned,
and placed on trial accused of heresy and witchcraft. She was treated unjustly
and illegally during her captivity, and her trial became a circus. Under
political pressure she was condemned and burned alive at the stake, even though
she proved herself to be blameless and fearless in character and faith. As she
burned she kept her eyes on a crucifix and repeatedly called on the name of
Jesus. A second Church trial twenty five years later nullified the earlier
verdict and found her innocent of all charges, paving the way for her
veneration as a saint.
St. Joan of Arc is the patron saint of captives, rape victims,
soldiers, and France.
Her feast day is May 30th.
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