By Leon Bent –
Joan of Arc, in French Jeanne d’Arc or Jehanne, nicknamed “The Maid of Orléans”, is considered a heroine of France for her role during the Lancastrian phase of the Hundred Years’ War, and was canonized as a Roman Catholic saint.
Born of a fairly well-to-do peasant couple in Domremy-Greux southeast of Paris, Joan was only 12 when she experienced a vision and heard voices that, she later identified as Saints Michael the Archangel, Catherine of Alexandria, and Margaret of Antioch.
All the witnesses in the process of rehabilitation spoke of her as a singularly pious child, grave beyond her years, who often knelt in the church absorbed in prayer, and loved the poor tenderly.
Remembered by most people for her military exploits, Joan had a great love for the sacraments, which strengthened her compassion toward the poor. Popular devotion to her increased greatly in 19th-century France, and later, among French soldiers during World War I. Theologian George Tavard writes that, her life “offers a perfect example of the conjunction of contemplation and action”, because her spiritual insight was that there should be a “unity of heaven and earth.”
Although Joan never made any statement as to the dates on which the voices revealed her mission, it seems certain that the call of God was only made known to her gradually. But, by May, 1428, she no longer doubted that she was bidden to go to the help of the king. Meanwhile the military situation of King Charles and his supporters was growing more desperate. Orléans was invested (12 October, 1428), and by the close of the year complete defeat seemed imminent. Joan’s voices became urgent, and even threatening. It was in vain that she resisted, saying to them: “I am a poor girl; I do not know how to ride or fight.” The voices only reiterated: “It is God who commands it.”
Before entering upon her campaign, Joan summoned the King of England to withdraw his troops from French soil. The English commanders were furious at the audacity of the demand, but Joan by a rapid movement entered Orléans on 30th April. Her presence there at once worked wonders. By 8th May the English forts which encircled the city had all been captured, and the siege raised.
On Sunday, 17 July, 1429, Charles VII was solemnly crowned, the Maid standing by with her standard, for — as she explained — “as it had shared in the toil, it was just that it should share in the victory.”
No words can adequately describe the disgraceful ingratitude and apathy of King Charles and his advisers, University faculty, Catholic theologians and Church authorities in leaving the “Maid” to her fate (Does this remind us of Jesus?): She was betrayed and sold to the English enemies. They could not put her to death for having defeated them, but they could get her sentenced as a witch and a heretic.
She was at first kept in an iron cage, chained by the neck, hands, and feet. On the other hand, she was allowed no spiritual privileges — e.g. attendance at Mass — on account of the charge of heresy and the monstrous dress (male soldier’s war uniform)she was wearing.
She was, however, allowed to make her confession and to receive Communion. Her Jesus-like demeanour at the stake was such as to move even her bitter enemies to tears. She asked for a cross, which, after she had embraced it, was held up before her, while she called continuously upon the name of Jesus. Joan of Arc was burned at the stake as a heretic after a politically-motivated trial.
“Joan of Arc is like a shooting star across the landscape of French and English history, amid the stories of the Church’s saints and into our consciousness. Women identify with her; men admire her courage. She challenges us in fundamental ways. Despite the fact that more than 500 years have passed since she lived, her issues of mysticism, calling, identity, trust and betrayal, conflict and focus are our issues still.”
Joan of Arc has been the subject of many books, plays, operas and movies.
At last the cause of her beatification was introduced upon occasion of an appeal addressed to the Holy See, in 1869. St. Joan was canonized in 1920 by Pope Benedict XV.
Leon Bent is an ex-Seminarian and studied the Liberal Arts and Humanities, and Philosophy, from St. Pius X College, Mumbai. He holds Masters Degree in English Literature and Aesthetics. He has published three Books and have 20 on the anvil. He has two extensively “Researched” Volumes to his name: Hail Full of Grace and Matrimony: The Thousand Faces of Love. He won The Examiner, Silver Pen Award, 2000 for writing on Social Issues, the clincher being a Researched Article on Gypsies in India, published in an issue of the (worldwide circulation) Vidyajyoti Journal of Theological Reflection, New Delhi. On April, 28, 2018, Leon received the Cardinal Ivan Dias Award for a research paper in Mariology.
Leon Bent regularly writes for 9 Catholic Magazines, Journals and Web Portals, worldwide – occasionally, the reach is over 5 million readers.