Joan of Arc -Woman Warrior of God

“I would rather die than to do something I know is a sin or to be against God’s will.” This was once said by a devoted and brave woman, Joan of Arc. At only the age of 17, she went into battle and successfully led an army. With God in mind she devoted her life to Him, starting at age 12. She was fearless and was even martyred, (killed for her religion) and was proud of it.

Joan of Arc was born on January 6, 1412 in the small farming village of Domremy, France. Her father, Jacques, was a peasant farmer who barely made enough money to feed his family. They were close-knit and put God as one of their first priorities. As the youngest of 5 children, neither she nor any of her siblings ever got an education other than sewing and spinning. She never learned to read or write, but her mother read her and her brothers the Bible daily, teaching them the “Our Father,” “Hail Mary,” and the “Apostles Creed.” She became a master at sewing and spinning, and was taught farming by her father. She was known for her obedience and respect to parents, and was often found giving to others. She, more than once, even gave up her own bed for a homeless man who came to their house looking for shelter. She could often be found in the fields with the goats, cattle, and sheep, often praying. Her childhood friends often joked with her by saying she was “too pious.” Joan of Arc was even known to be able to nurse her friends back to health after having yellow fever and smallpox, at a very young age. Professional doctors were sure they would die, but she worked miracles. At only twelve, she was already hearing calls from God and knew she had to do something.

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One day while walking in the fields, she heard a small voice. There was a bright light and Saint Michel, the Archangel, appeared to her. She saw him many more times, along with Saint Catherine and Saint Margret. They would usually appear to her two to three times a week but, as she got older, it came to once or twice a day. She always listened to them, sometimes even talking to God directly. Talk about devoted! They would carry messages from God, usually telling her to siege places such as Orleans or to conduct a general to drive a group of English out. She knew she would never be even considered to fight as a woman so, at age 16, she cut off her hair and began wearing men’s clothes. She went to Vaucouleurs, the Valley of Many Colors, where she met with Sir Robert de Baudricourt, a French governor, asking for a spot in the Army. He wouldn’t give it to her and rejected her numerous times, finally sending her to the Dauphin who was living in the castle of Chinon. Her visions kept telling her to lead others into war to protect France. On February 23, 1429, late in the evening, she took action. With six other men, she rode through the Gate of France, riding to Chinon. She was able to reach the city by March 6th but she was not received by the Dauphin, Charles, until three days later, March 9th. After finally being approved by the Church, on April 29th and with her in charge, it only took nine days to free and drive the English out of Orleans. That was nothing compared to the length of the war, over 100 years! (She led during the Hundreds Years War)

For many unknown reasons, King Charles didn’t value her quick defeats, amazing tactics and advice. She had been told in one of her visions of Saint Margret God had only given “a year and a little longer” to go into war, and he wasted most of it. Unfortunately, God would keep to His word and did not give her any longer. He claimed to be a “good Catholic, believing in God,” although, he never listened to Him with Joan. For nearly a year, he kept her from going into battle and giving France a chance at freedom. Finally, in frustration, she snuck out of the court, disobeying the king, and started her last campaign. She set out in late November, lasting through many successful battles winning much of France back from England. Sadly, on May 23, in Compiegne, France, she was captured by England and later put on trial. As God had planned, her “year and a little longer” was up. Abandoned by the king, who she escaped from, and all her friends, she was held for nearly a year in captivity. She was held by the Burgundians until they turned her over to England in November. In both places, she was treated as a misbehaving slave, somehow surviving. That itself was a miracle. Finally, nearly a year after her capture, her trial began. The first day of it was on February 21st, and was found guilty on May 26th. She was accused of witchcraft and being a heretic by the church, and for any reason, they believed her. The most likely reason known was because of the number of battles won against the English, giving France a great lead. Finally, they burnt her at the stake on May 30th, 1431, at only age 19. It was not for another 26 years after her death that she was found innocent, almost pointless by then. In 1920, 590 years after her death, she was canonized by Pope John Paul II.

Brave, proud, courageous, daring, Joan of Arc was an amazing woman. She, to me, is an amazing model of faith, being really in-touch with God. She stood up for her beliefs and was not afraid to pretend to be a man to protect her country and listen to God. She wouldn’t stop for anyone, even the King of France. Joan was generous enough to give her bed to someone who was needier than her, and even give her life for her country. One day I would like to be able to stand up for myself and not fear others, no matter their power, just like Joan.