In Rouen, the conditions of the Virgin’s imprisonment worsened. Although she should have been held in a church prison under the supervision of women, English soldiers guarded her instead. The priest Jean Massieu of Rouen described her conditions of imprisonment as follows: “Joan was imprisoned in the citadel of Rouen in a room on the […]
IN HONOR OF ST. JOAN OF ARC: “The trial of shame” (Part 9) Read More »
After her capture, it became clear what the English intended to do with her. Joan was not merely a prominent prisoner; with her, English military dominance in France had come to an end. They therefore believed they knew what had caused their defeats. In their view, a witch—and thus a woman influenced by the devil—had
IN HONOR OF ST. JOAN OF ARC: “A diabolical plan: Joan is being taken to Rouen!” (Part 8) Read More »
After Charles VII was crowned in Reims, the king began negotiating with the Burgundians. On the day of the coronation itself, Joan wrote to Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, on behalf of Charles VII. She pleaded with him in the name of God: “May the King of France and you conclude a good and
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After the city of Orléans had been relieved of its siege, Joan felt compelled to fulfill her next prophecy: to lead the king to Reims for his coronation. She knew from her visions that she did not have much time to complete her mission, and she had to seize the moment. The English were weakened,
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From this moment on, the tide of the war turned in favor of the French crown. The decisive event had taken place: the Dauphin, Charles VII, had received Joan and had been convinced that she was sent by God, and the Church authorities had agreed as well. Thus God could carry out His plan. Joan’s
IN HONOR OF ST. JOAN OF ARC: “Joan fulfills her prophecy: Orléans is liberated” Read More »
With conviction and courage, Joan sets out on the arduous eleven‑day journey to Chinon. She knows she is on a mission from God, and therefore fears no obstacles. She continually encourages her companions as well. Two of them later testify about this journey during the interrogation that took place as part of the rehabilitation trial
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Joan kept this secret between God and herself, hidden within her as she grew up over the following years. She spoke to no one about it—not to the local priest, nor to her parents or friends. Guided by her saints, she oriented her entire life toward this mission, and little by little, her saints revealed
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Joan was born on January 6, 1412, in Domrémy, France, the fourth child of Jacques d’Arc and his wife Isabelle. She grew up in humble peasant circumstances, could neither read nor write, learned to spin and sew, and sometimes tended to the household. Her parents were considered devout Christians. Her mother instructed her in the
IN HONOR OF ST. JOAN OF ARC: “The heart of the Saint!” (Part 2) Read More »
It was May 30, 1431, in Rouen, France, one day after the Feast of the Most Holy Trinity. A large crowd had gathered that morning in the old market square near the Church of Our Savior. In addition to the gathered people and clergy, many soldiers were present. However, these were not French soldiers. They
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Beloved Holy Spirit, with today’s meditation we conclude this preparation for the great feast of Your coming. May Your fruits grow and ripen in us, for in this way we can glorify the One from whom everything comes and bear witness to You before the world! For this we need patience, for these fruits ripen
Fourteenth Meditation on the Holy Spirit: Patience Read More »
