St Joan of Arc must always be listed in any collection of royal religious figures. Few people in the history of the world have endured as much torment and anguish out of loyalty to their king, country, and God above as the young 'Maid of Orleans'. It is also worth pointing out in this age where monarchy is viewed as an archaic and out-of-date system that the greatest "feminist" hero was a very devout Christian monarchist. So spectacular have been the accomplishments of this young lady that they have often been shrouded in myth; however, her achievements were not mythical but certainly miraculous. Her level of devotion to her nation, her legitimate king and her Savior is truly second to none.
Joan of Arc was so intensely loyal that she fought for a country that was fighting against itself, when many Frenchmen were taking sides with the English. However, as the Scriptures command, she remained faithful under all circumstances. She was a girl of only 17 when she left her village and set out on her own personal crusade to unite France and secure the position of the rightful monarch, King Charles VII.
Joan said she heard the voice of the Holy Spirit calling her to this task and it naturally took a while for others to give her a chance to prove herself. Many first denounced her as a simple lunatic, however, the English had been constantly defeating the divided French and soon the young girl from Lorraine seemed their only hope for a miracle. She certainly did not disappoint and after taking command of the French forces, led them to victory after victory, despite having no military training whatsoever. She did this with full dependence on God and gave all the glory to Him for her stunning victories. She also insisted that her troops fight as Christian soldiers as well and before liberating the besieged city of Orleans she had each soldier recieve Holy Communion. Joan was severely wounded twice but each time recovered and led her troops with what any general would have to admit was military genius. The other French commanders learned that when they obeyed her they were victorious and when they did not they were defeated. Her great moment of triumph came when she marched into Reims and stood beside Charles when he was formally crowned King of France.
After this, Joan decided to lead an attack on Paris, which was held by the English. King Charles however, was in the midst of negotiating the surrender of Paris with the Burgundians and he sent troops to stop Joan's attack, by force if need be. The battle was halted and Joan was badly wounded. On May 23, 1430 she was captured by the Burgundians (rebel French who sided with England). For 10,000 gold pieces they turned her over to the English who recognized the immense power she held over French sentiment. Hoping to crush the morale of their enemies the English condemned Joan as a witch and sentanced her to be burned alive. On May 30, 1431 at Rouen, France Joan of Arc was executed, a sight which caused grown men to weep and prompted an English lord to cry, "We are undone; we have burned a saint".
Though her life had ended, the legendary figure of Joan of Arc inspired patriotism in the French for centuries to come. At the insistence of King Charles and her mother, 24 years after her death a Papal investigation found that Joan was innocent of the charges she had been accused of. Finally, in 1920 His Holiness Pope Benedict XV declared Joan of Arc a saint. Her life remains a testament in loyalty, courage and self-sacrifice as well as a lasting example of the fact that, "all things are possible to them that believe". |
