Specials

• saint joan of arc
  

  patroness of france 

  May 30
  

  Joan of Arc grew up in the French countryside without learning to read or write, but her mother instilled in her a deep faith in God and devotion to the Virgin Mary. From a young age, Joan showed a great desire for holiness and was loved by everyone in her village.

  
  

  Divine Vocation and Mission

  When she was 14, she began to hear celestial voices, including those of Saint Michael, Saint Catherine, and Saint Margaret, who charged her with saving France and its king from the English invasion. Initially skeptical, Joan eventually shared her mission with her family and neighbors, who initially did not believe her. Over time, she managed to convince a military commander to take her to King Charles VII.

  
  

  Leadership and Successes

  Joan, guided by the voices, identified the disguised king and revealed secrets that changed his opinion of her. She assumed military leadership as a captain, leading the French troops in the liberation of Orleans and other cities, achieving King Charles VII's coronation. However, her success sparked envy and betrayals at court.

  
  

  Capture and Trial

  Seeking to conquer Paris, Joan was abandoned by her troops due to the king's intrigues and captured by the Burgundians, who sold her to the English. Unjustly accused of witchcraft, she was condemned to death by a tribunal composed of her enemies. She was burned at the stake on May 30, 1431, maintaining her faith until the end.

  
  

  Rehabilitation and Canonization

  Twenty-three years later, her family requested a review of her trial, and a commission declared her innocence. Eventually, Joan of Arc was proclaimed a saint by Pope Benedict XV, being recognized as a heroine and martyr of France.

  
  Feast Day: May 30th
  
  

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