St. Joan of Arc: The Patron Saint of Soldiers

I love St. Joan of Arc, a saint that has captured the admiration of many people, including Mark Twain and St. Theresa the Little Flower.

St. Joan of Arc (1412-1431 A.D.) was a woman solider who led the French army during The Hundred Years' War. She was said to have heard the voices of St. Michael, St. Catherine, and St. Margaret, who told her that God wanted her to defend France and ensure the rightful heir to the throne was crowned. 

Who would be crowned was still in dispute. The main conflict was between the dauphin Charles (son and heir of the king) and the English king, Henry VI. Henry’s armies were in alliance with those of Philip, duke of Burgundy.

St. Joan was told by God that His will was for Charles to be crowned. It looked like a nearly impossible occurrence, but Joan obeyed God's command and sought out Charles. Through a series of remarkable events, Charles agreed to allow Joan to travel with his army. She predicted what would happen in each battle and gained the trust of the leaders of the troops.

St. Joan had to get the dauphin, Charles, to Reims in order to have him crowned, but this territory was held by his enemy. She fought her way to Orleans, and eventually Charles was crowned in Reims. The battles continued, and finally a truce was reached. 

Joan was captured when the truce was broken. After failed rescue attempts, she was sold to the English. The English put Joan on trial. She had to fight off sexual assaults while kept in prison during the trial, and this was why she dressed in men's clothing.

During her trial, Joan was able to withstand traps set to label her as a heretic: “when Joan was asked if she knew she 'was in God's grace,' she answered: 'If I am not, may God put me there; and if I am, may God so keep me.'"

Joan was soon condemned to death and burned at a pillar on May 30, 1431. She was nineteen. 

Today St. Joan of Arc is the patron saint of soldiers.

What strikes me about Joan's story is how she followed God's plan even when every other voice told her to give up, or when obstacles were placed in her way.

As well, God cared about who ruled France. God intervened so that Charles would be crowned king. May we conclude then that God is a nationalist? Charles was the rightful heir and God sent to him Joan to fulfill his destiny.

St. Joan of Arc died to save her nation, France. Joan of Arc died at her enemy's hand to preserve her country, like many good soldiers do. We can't always see the why behind God's will, but Joan of Arc shows us trust is needed.

Let us pray for our own country today and ask God to protect us.

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Sources:

 catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=295

 https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Joan-of-Arc