Saint Joan of Arc

Saint Joan of Arc is also known as Jeanne d’Arc in French and The Maid of Orléans. She was a young woman from France who lived during a time of war. She became a soldier, a leader, and later a saint. Her story is one of bravery, faith, and deep trust in God.

Joan was not from a rich or noble family. She was a simple farm girl. But she believed God had called her to help save France. She said saints and angels spoke to her. They told her to help the French king and lead his army.

Many people did not believe her at first. She was young. She was a woman. She had no training in war. But Joan kept going. Her courage and strong faith made others listen. She would soon do things no one expected.

Joan helped lead the French army during the Hundred Years’ War. This was a long fight between France and England. France was losing badly. But with Joan’s help, that started to change. She lifted the spirits of the soldiers and gave people hope.

She was later captured and put on trial. She was accused of many things, including heresy. The court found her guilty and burned her at the stake when she was only 19 years old. But her story didn’t end there.

Joan of Arc was born around the year 1412 in a small village called Domrémy, in northeastern France. Her parents were farmers. She grew up helping with animals, sewing, and working in the fields. She never learned to read or write, but she had a strong faith in God.

From a young age, Joan loved to pray. She went to Mass often and confessed her sins regularly. She showed kindness to others and was known for her honesty. People in her village saw her as a good and quiet girl.

When Joan was about 13 years old, she said she began to hear voices. She said Saint Michael the Archangel, Saint Catherine, and Saint Margaret appeared to her. They told her that God had a special mission for her. She was to help the Dauphin, the French prince, become king and save France from the English.

At first, Joan did not tell anyone. She was unsure and afraid. But the voices kept coming. She felt sure this was what God wanted. After some time, she left her village and went to find help.

Joan’s early life shows us that God often calls people who seem small or unimportant. She had no power or education. But she had courage and strong faith. That was enough to begin a mission that would change her country.

Joan traveled far to meet with the Dauphin, Charles, the future king of France. It was not easy. She had to speak with church leaders and noblemen. Many thought she was lying or confused. But others were moved by her words. She spoke with confidence and said she was sent by God.

Charles allowed Joan to join the army. She dressed in armor and carried a banner with the names of Jesus and Mary. She refused to carry a sword to kill. She came not to destroy but to bring courage and hope.

One of her greatest moments was the lifting of the siege of Orléans. The English had surrounded the city for months. Joan led the French soldiers into battle and helped break the siege. This was a turning point in the war.

After that, many began to believe in her mission. Joan helped lead more battles. Soon, Charles was crowned King Charles VII. Joan stood by him during his coronation. Her mission was to see him made king, and she succeeded.

Joan continued to fight, but not everyone supported her. Some leaders grew jealous or afraid of her power. She was later captured by French allies of the English. She was handed over to English forces and taken away from her army.

Joan was put on trial in 1431 in the city of Rouen. She was only 19 years old. The trial was led by Church officials who worked with the English. They said she was guilty of heresy and witchcraft. They also accused her of dressing like a man.

Joan was kept in prison for months. She was questioned again and again. She stayed strong. She told them that her voices were real and that she had done what God asked of her. She did not back down.

In the end, the court found her guilty. She was sentenced to death by burning. On May 30, 1431, she was tied to a stake in the marketplace and burned. Before she died, she called out the name of Jesus. People watching were moved by her courage. Some wept.

Joan’s death shocked many people. A few years later, the Church opened a new trial. This time, they looked at all the facts. They found that Joan had been wrongly judged. In 1456, the Church cleared her name.

Her story began to spread across France. People remembered her not as a heretic, but as a brave and faithful woman. She became a symbol of French pride and Catholic faith.

Many years passed after Joan’s death. People prayed to her and told her story. She became a symbol of hope for those who felt small or forgotten. The Church slowly began to honor her more.

In 1920, almost 500 years after her death, Joan of Arc was declared a saint by Pope Benedict XV. She was recognized for her strong faith, her courage, and her obedience to God’s call.

Saint Joan is now one of the most beloved saints in the Church. She is the patron saint of France, soldiers, and people who are mocked for their faith. Her feast day is May 30, the day of her death.

People still visit the places where she lived and died. Statues of her can be found all over the world. She is often shown in armor, holding a banner with Jesus’ name.

Saint Joan of Arc reminds us that even the young, the poor, and the quiet can be strong in God. She listened, believed, and acted—even when others laughed at her or called her a liar. Her faith still inspires people today.

Stay Focused and Keep Going

Joan of Arc was a teenager when she believed God was calling her to help save France. Most people didn’t believe her, but she stayed focused. She eventually led an army to a huge victory, even though she had no training. She trusted God and kept taking the next step, even when it was hard.

Saint Joan of Arc showed what determination looks like. She didn’t give up, even when things got scary. She stayed true to her mission and gave everything for it. Her story is a reminder that we are not meant to drift through life. We are called to live with purpose, and we grow stronger each time we keep going.