Rachel Evans
St. Joan of Arc, often called La Pucelle or the Maid of Orléans, was a Catholic with extreme personal piety. She believed she was guided by the voices of St. Michael, St. Catherine of Alexandria, and St. Margaret of Antioch in her mission to aid the dauphin Charles, later Charles VII, and expel the English from the Valois kingdom of France. She was burned at the stake for heresy in 1431 but was exonerated in a posthumous retrial in 1456 and canonized as a saint of the Roman Catholic Church in 1920. Today, Joan of Arc is venerated as a patron saint of soldiers and France, symbolizing courage in the face of adversity and unwavering faith.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Religion | Catholic |
| Lived | 1412-1431 |
| Canonized | 16 May 1920 |
| Canonized by | Pope Benedict XV |
| Feast day | 30 May |
| Other names | La Pucelle, The Maid of Orléans |
| Known for | Her courage in the face of adversity, her commitment to her beliefs, and her dedication to God |
| Symbol of | The Catholic League |
| Known as | Patron saint of soldiers and France |
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What You'll Learn
Joan of Arc was canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church in 1920
Joan of Arc, born to pious parents of the French peasant class, was a Catholic with extreme personal piety. She believed that she was guided by the voices of St. Michael, St. Catherine of Alexandria, and St. Margaret of Antioch in her mission to aid the Dauphin Charles, later known as Charles VII, and expel the English from the Valois kingdom of France. She was also certain that she was meant to go to the aid of the Dauphin, who was the heir to the throne of France.
Joan of Arc was burned at the stake for heresy in 1431 by pro-English clergy. She was posthumously exonerated in a second trial ordered by Pope Callixtus III in 1456, who declared her a martyr. Her unwavering faith and heroic actions earned her sainthood, and she was canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church in 1920. Pope Benedict XV canonized her on May 16, 1920, concluding the canonization process instigated by the Sacred Congregation of Rites after a petition in 1869 by the French Catholic hierarchy.
Joan of Arc has been recognized as a symbol of courage and unwavering faith, with her story resonating through history as a testament to the power of faith and the extraordinary feats it can inspire. She is often called La Pucelle or the Maid of Orléans and is venerated as the patron saint of soldiers and France. Her feast day is celebrated on May 30, and she has become especially popular among Traditional Catholics, particularly in France, due to her obvious connection to the country and the strength of the Traditional Catholic movement there.
Several famous writers, including William Shakespeare, Voltaire, and Mark Twain, have depicted Joan of Arc in their works, contributing to her enduring legacy. She has also been the subject of various artworks, statues, and prayers, reflecting her significant cultural and religious impact.
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She was a devout Catholic who fought for France against England
Joan of Arc was a devout Catholic who fought for France against England in the Hundred Years' War. Born in 1412 to pious parents of the French peasant class, Joan grew up in the village of Domremy, near the province of Lorraine. At a young age, she began hearing "voices" that she believed were the saints St. Michael, St. Catherine, and St. Margaret. At 13, these saints instructed her to drive the English out of France and bring the Dauphin to Reims for his coronation.
Guided by her Catholic faith and these "voices," Joan embarked on her mission at 16. She met with Robert de Baudricourt, the dauphin's representative, and shared her mission to aid the Dauphin, Charles VII, heir to the French throne. Despite initial skepticism, Joan persevered and eventually earned an audience with Charles himself. She successfully convinced him of her divine calling and her legitimacy, marking a turning point in her journey.
Joan's military campaigns alongside the French forces were marked by a series of victories. She played a pivotal role in breaking the Siege of Orléans, leading to the departure of English forces. This triumph garnered her support from prominent clergymen, including the Archbishop of Embrun and the theologian Jean Gerson. With renewed backing, Joan marched into other battles, reclaiming cities and securing much-needed military supplies.
Joan's unwavering faith and bravery in the face of adversity inspired not just her contemporaries but also generations to come. She became a symbol of the Catholic League during the 16th century, and her beatification and subsequent canonization in 1920 solidified her place in Catholic history. Today, she is venerated as the patron saint of soldiers and France, embodying courage and steadfast faith in the face of challenges.
Despite her tragic death at the stake in 1431, accused of heresy by pro-English clergy, Joan's legacy endured. She was exonerated in a posthumous retrial in 1456 and elevated to sainthood decades later. Joan of Arc's story continues to resonate, serving as a testament to the power of faith and the extraordinary feats it can inspire.
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She believed she was guided by the voices of saints
St. Joan of Arc was a Catholic with extreme personal piety. She believed she was guided by the voices of St. Michael, St. Catherine of Alexandria, and St. Margaret of Antioch. She identified these saints through statuary in the church she attended and through her mother's careful religious instruction.
In 1425, when Joan was 13, she started hearing "voices" in her father's garden, accompanied by a blinding white light. Joan claimed that the voices were angels and saints, through whom God was addressing her. She believed that the saints were real and even claimed to have embraced Saints Catherine and Margaret. She recalled that they smelled wonderful.
The voices told Joan to help the dauphin by going to Orleans and breaking England's siege of the city. Led by the voices of her saints, Joan travelled in May 1428 from Domrémy to Vaucouleurs, the nearest stronghold still loyal to the dauphin. She asked the captain of the garrison, Robert de Baudricourt, for permission to join the dauphin, but he did not take the 16-year-old and her visions seriously, and she was sent home. Undeterred, Joan returned to Vaucouleurs in January 1429. This time, her quiet firmness and piety gained her respect, and the captain allowed her to go to the dauphin at Chinon.
Joan of Arc, believing that she was acting under divine guidance, led the French army to a momentous victory at Orleans, repulsing an English attempt to conquer France during the Hundred Years' War. She was captured a year later and burned to death as a heretic in 1431. Despite her tragic end, Joan of Arc's courage, commitment to her beliefs, and dedication to God are seen as exemplary acts of faith, leading to her canonization as a saint by the Catholic Church in 1920.
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She was burned at the stake for heresy in 1431
Joan of Arc, a French military leader, was burned at the stake for heresy in 1431. She was captured during the siege of Compiègne in 1430 by Burgundian forces and subsequently sold to their English allies. In March 1431, she went on trial before ecclesiastical authorities in Rouen on charges of heresy. Her most serious crime, according to the tribunal, was her rejection of church authority in favour of direct inspiration from God.
During the trial, Joan was questioned about her youth and activities in Domrémy. She replied that she had learned to spin wool and sew, that she confessed her sins once a year, and that she received the sacrament of the Eucharist at Easter. She also admitted to listening to voices and wearing men's clothing, both of which were considered heretical by the Church.
Joan was found guilty of heresy and sentenced to death. On May 30, 1431, she was burned at the stake in the Old Marketplace in Rouen. Her execution was carried out by a pro-English ecclesiastical court, which found her guilty of heresy for relapsing into wearing men's clothing and listening to voices.
Eighteen years after Joan's execution, an ecclesiastical tribunal initiated a retrial at the request of Charles VII. The tribunal declared that the original trial was not valid because it was biased and had not followed proper procedure. Joan was posthumously rehabilitated and her conviction for heresy was nullified.
Today, Joan of Arc is recognized as a Catholic saint. Her courage in the face of adversity, her commitment to her beliefs, and her dedication to God are seen as exemplary acts of faith. She is considered a French national heroine and a symbol of resistance against English rule.
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She is the patron saint of soldiers and France
Joan of Arc was a devout Catholic who fought for France against England in the Hundred Years' War. She was guided by her visions of saints, including St. Michael, the patron saint of her hometown, who was seen as a defender of France. She is said to have heard the voices of St. Michael, St. Catherine, and St. Margaret, who instructed her to drive the English from French territory.
Joan of Arc is a saint in the Catholic Church. She was canonized as a Virgin, not as a Christian martyr, as she was executed for her private revelation, not her faith in Christ. However, she has been revered as a martyr since her death, venerated for her modesty, purity, patriotism, and strength of conviction. Her courage in the face of adversity, her commitment to her beliefs, and her dedication to God are seen as exemplary acts of faith, leading to her canonization.
Joan of Arc is the patron saint of soldiers and France. She is a national symbol of France, with her story of being commanded by God to fight for her country striking a chord with many. She is also the patroness of France because she played a pivotal role in the Hundred Years' War, leading French troops to numerous victories against the English. She was instrumental in lifting the Siege of Orléans, which made her a religious figure in the city. She was also pivotal in the capture of the fortress of Saint Loup, and the subsequent capture of Saint-Jean-le-Blanc. Joan was shot with an arrow during the attack on Les Tourelles, but she continued to encourage the final assault, which was successful.
Joan's popularity and influence extended beyond her death. She was a source of inspiration for soldiers and a symbol of freedom and independence. Her cult of personality was opposed by the leaders of the French Revolution due to her association with the monarchy, but Napoleon later used her image for his nationalist purposes. She has been portrayed in numerous cultural works, including literature, music, paintings, sculptures, and theater.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Joan of Arc was a Catholic with extreme personal piety.
Yes, Joan of Arc was canonized as a saint of the Roman Catholic Church on May 16, 1920, by Pope Benedict XV.
Joan of Arc fought in the Hundred Years War between England and France. She is often called La Pucelle or the Maid of Orléans. She is the patron saint of soldiers and France.
Joan of Arc has been depicted in several works by famous writers such as William Shakespeare, Voltaire, and Mark Twain. Images of Joan of Arc often show her with short hair adorned in armor.
Joan of Arc's feast day is celebrated on many local and regional Church calendars, especially in France, on May 30.
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